Daniel Edward Tarr's Obituary
Dr. D. Edward Tarr, DDS, 82, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on January 9th, 2026.
The son of John Edward and Russett Tarr, he was born January 20th, 1943, in Steubenville, OH. The oldest of four siblings, he excelled in athletics, particularly in football and track & field, and graduated from Brilliant Memorial High School in 1961.
He met the love of his life, Judith D’Alesio, on a blind date in Mingo Junction, OH, and they shared a lasting and loving 60 years of marriage.
He went on to attend Ohio University for undergrad and attended Ohio State University Dental School, where he earned a Doctorate of Dental Surgery, graduating in 1969.
He and Judy moved to Colorado Springs, CO, in 1971, where he practiced private dentistry. He kept up with his athleticism by playing elite-level racquetball and running the Pikes Peak Ascent with close friends while living in Colorado.
In 1983, he was invited to become Associate Dean of the Dental School at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK, where he discovered a passion for training dental students and was named Professor of the Year in 1986.
He operated his own private dental practice in Tulsa, OK, until 2018, while continuing to innovate dentistry, holding several patents for dental and orthopedic devices.
Ed found his resolve in his faith, volunteering his time and expertise in dentistry to Mission Outreach in organizations such as Young Life, in both Colorado and Oklahoma, providing dental care and support to underprivileged adults and children in need.
He also lived an incredibly active and athletic lifestyle. He was inducted into the Brilliant Memorial High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2018 for two sports, and his tenacity as a left-handed racquetball player helped him win multiple State Championships in both Colorado and Oklahoma.
Even in his later years, he participated in multiple American Lung Association “Fight for Air” Stair Climb events, raising funds for those who suffer from COPD and Respiratory Cancer.
Overall, Ed was known for his generous spirit, steadfast reliability, and devotion to his faith. He was a dedicated father, son, brother, and friend to all those who knew him.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, John Edward and Russett Tarr.
Ed is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Judith Tarr; his daughter Tracey Persons and husband Matt of Tulsa; his son Stephen of Austin; his daughter Christina Tubbs and husband Corbin of Houston; and his son Daniel Tarr and wife Hannah of Austin; as well as his siblings and their families, Linda and Barry Starr, Lettie and Bill Mallett, and Susan and Richard Blanchet along with his many nieces and nephews, and the countless lives he touched though his endless grace and generosity.
He is forever cherished and remembered by his six grandchildren, Danielle and Nathan Persons; Catherine, Carson, and Christian Tubbs; and Ellis Tarr.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Floral Haven Funeral Home in Tulsa. A visitation will be held at Floral Haven Funeral Home on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 2 PM to 5 PM.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Sanctuary Tulsa Church on January 17, 2026, at 2 PM.
In lieu of flowers, Ed asks you may donate to the following organizations:
Young Life — https://giving.younglife.org/s/Sanctuary Church — https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=397d898b-42c9-4f4c-a336-e6aa86de93d7
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