Charles Dwayne Colaw was born December 19, 1938, to Charles Benjamin, Jr., and Mabel Estella (Kauth) Colaw in Fredonia, Kansas. He passed away Friday, May 15, 2026, at Bellevue Health and Rehab in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at the age of 87. Charles graduated from Oakley High School in 1956 in Oakley, Kansas, and attended Bethany-Peniel College, now known as Southern Nazarene University, in Bethany, Oklahoma. He was married to June Rose Burton on March 31, 1957 in Winfield, Kansas. Charles was in law enforcement as a motorcycle policeman, a dispatcher for the OKHP, and then served as the first probation/parole officer for Washington County. He also worked for TRW Reda Pump. The greatest accomplishment he had in his life was his family. He loved them dearly and told them all the time. More than anything, he wanted to make sure they loved Jesus.

These are his Great-grands and some of their memories about Charles:

Jordan, Rebel, Zach, Ian, Jaina, Nora, Leigha, Amos - all remember how much he loved ice cream.

Carter and Landon- He liked to make sure his porch was always clean and would blow it off several times a day (even if it was windy) with his leaf blower. One time we stuffed it full of leaves so when he turned it on it added leaves instead of blowing them away. Grandad thought it was so funny that he took Rhett’s stuffed horse and put it in the leaf blower and launched it in the air. 

Henry - Grandad would always tell us that Jesus loves us and to listen to my parents. He liked watching us play basketball.

Jenna - I liked sitting on the porch with him doing Bible word search puzzles. He would always tell me that he loved me and Jesus loved me.

Annie - He always asked me if I loved Jesus and reminded me to pray. He was a good Grandad.

Luke - He liked games and one time started playing with is in the middle of a Fill -or-Bust game and he won! He would always tell us Jesus was watching us.

Freddie - I always knew he loved me because he told me all the time.

Ellie - He would let us watch tv with him and always let us choose what cartoon we wanted to watch, even if he didn’t like it.

Charlie - He always had ice cream and would tell me that he loved me and Jesus loved me.

Hattie - He was a police and he earned a police blanket and always told me to pray. He shared his snacks with me on his porch.

Chase - He told me the story of Adam and Eve and shared his snacks.

Joey - He gave me ice cream, even when mom said no. 

Rhett and Lizzie will always know that grandaddy loved them.

 

He is survived by his wife, June Colaw of Geary, Oklahoma; one son, David Colaw and wife Terrie of Gene Autry, Oklahoma; two daughters, Kathy Lindquist and husband Steve of Alva, Oklahoma, and Cindy Nicolai and husband Fred of Geary, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, TeLisa Ladd, Stephanie Grant, Jonathan Lindquist, Jessica Jarrett, Ben Nicolai, and Katie Hatfield; as well as several great-grandchildren; he is also survived by his siblings, Rene Colaw and wife Sara,  Max Colaw and wife Ruth Ann, Stephen Colaw and wife Joyce, and Joe Colaw and wife Dawn, as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

 

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, C.B. and Mabel Colaw, and one sister, Judy Hadsell.

 

A private family memorial service will be held at a later date