Michael Thomas Nard June 2, 1954 - March 21, 2024

To view the livestream of Michael’s service, please click here.

Michael Thomas Nard was born on June 2, 1954, at 10:02 pm at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City to Peggy and David Nard, and his older brother Sam. He attended Hawthorne Elementary, Central Junior High, and Classen High School. During his school days, Michael met one of his lifelong friends, Robert Foote. Michael always had stories about growing up. Whenever the conversation turned to how kids are raised these days, he would tell us about how he would get dropped off at the State Fair with his older brother Sam. They would have to find their own way home when they were done. If you ever brought up how much going to a movie would cost, he would tell you about how they would trick their Dad into giving them each a quarter for the movie, that only cost ten cents. They would then use the rest of the money to buy a bag of candy, which had to be gone before they got home. Michael wound up working at McDonalds as “Burger Boy.” If he had something he wanted to do one day, he would get himself fired so he could have the day off, then come back the next day to get rehired whenever he wanted some extra cash!

Upon graduation, Michael joined the United States Air Force in 1972, and spent the next 4 years as a military police office. During his basic training, he was honored with the title of “Latrine Queen”. Thus the  birth of the term “Getting Narded”. After Basic Training, Michael spent some time at Altus Air Force Base before being stationed in Taiwan. During his 18 months in Taiwan, Michael was deployed to Vietnam to “end the war”. In his words, “They were so petrified about his arrival, that they signed the Paris Peace Accords ending the Vietnam War, before he set foot off of the plane.” Michael spoke about how the Vietnam War was ended, while his plane to Saigon was in flight. They were afraid of him. He thought it was so cool they were shooting off fireworks as his plane left Saigon, until someone told him that they were actually getting shot at. So, we should all give thanks to Michael “the Latrine Queen” Nard for ending the Vietnam War.

Before his military career started, Michael got to meet his vivacious future wife, Charlotte Dunbar. She was working at Chiams, with his mother Peggy, when Peggy pleaded with Charlotte to give her son Michael a chance. “Just one date”. She hesitantly agreed. True to form, he didn’t properly pay attention to the address and went to the “South” address, instead of the “North”. A short time later, Michael arrived at Charlotte’s home. Michael took her to a local bar where Charlotte proceeded to order drinks, for which he could not pay for. This started their love affair that has continued for 48 years. They were married on July 14^th, 1975.

After he “won the war”, Michael returned to the US to marry the love of his life, Charlotte Dunbar, on July 14^th, 1975. They had their first child in 1977, but then were blessed with two incredibly beautiful daughters in 1980 and 1984.

The next journey for Michael, took him to the US Postal Service. After 89 days of sheer hell, he informed his pregnant wife that he could no longer endure being a mail man, thus starting his next quest of becoming a OKC Police Officer. Michael found himself as a jailer next, while attending night classes to get his college degree. It was in the Jailer/OKC Police Office chapters of his life, that Michael met a group of men that would grow from friends, to his family. These men were, Dan and Don Evans, Clyde Bowling, Robert Campbell, Charlie Bingham and Dennis Prater. During his career as a OKC Police Officer, he was able to quickly achieve the rank of FTO, Field Training Officer. He went on to become a D.A.R.E./Officer friendly advocate for the youth of numerous elementary schools, including his daughter Amanda’s. He used to use her as his “truant child” in his demonstrations. Michael was promoted many times and retired with the rank of Lieutenant after 30 years of  “ getting the shit done.” During the last few years before retirement, Michael’s son Chris had three sons, Cale Russell Thomas, Pruitt Oliver Bryan, Callaway Nicholas Newton.

After retiring, he enjoyed his leisure time playing mediocre golf on which he bet way too much on himself, causing his wife to keep working for the next 5 years until their first granddaughter, Cheyenne, was born. Throughout their retirement, they enjoyed traveling, golfing, and dining out. If you have ever enjoyed a dining experience with Michael, you for sure have seen him getting “Narded”. He had the magical ability to be the one at the table that always got something wrong  and they never got his french fries burnt enough…

One of his many cherished memories of his grandchildren, was in 2010 when he got to take a picture with his new granddaughter Cheyenne, and his father David. In the years to come, Michael was blessed with 5 more grandchildren: Wyatt Wryn Haysmer, and Katie Nichole, Logan Robert, Jackson Michael, and Alison Monroe. When Cynthia’s husband, Isaac, adopted Jackson, they both knew even before discussing it, that “Michael” needed to be Jackson’s middle name. A man goes through many different phases in his life, and having grandchildren around is definitely one of his highlights.

Michael was able to enjoy his family and friends up until his very last moment.

Michael Thomas Nard left this world the same way that he came into it…..and that is with Style!!

There will be a public viewing Wednesday March 27th, at Buchanan Funeral Home from 1-8. The family will be present from 3-5.

Funeral Services will be held at Buchanan Funeral Home March 28^th at 11:00 am, with graveside service at Chapel Hill Cemetery. There will be a lunch provided after the graveside service.