Charley F. North, 82, of Norman, Oklahoma, passed away on August 25, 2026. He was born August 15, 1944, in Wagoner, Oklahoma, to Elijah and Annie North. He was one of ten children.

Charley graduated from Wagoner High School in 1963 and continued his education at Eastern Oklahoma A&M, where he played both baseball and football. It was there he met the love of his life, Sharon K. Hamilton. Charley and Sharon were married on September 12, 1964, beginning a remarkable life together filled with love, family, football, and countless treasured friendships.

Charley transferred to Oklahoma Panhandle State A&M, where he played center for the Aggie football team and earned his B.S. degree in Education. He later earned his Master’s Degree in Administration from East Central University.

Charley dedicated much of his life to coaching and mentoring young men. He coached high school football at Wagoner, Tecumseh, and McAlester before moving into the college ranks. He coached at the University of Oklahoma and the University of Arkansas, working with the offensive line and special teams. His career then took him into football administration, serving as Director of Football Operations at Texas Christian University, the University of Alabama, and Texas A&M University. While at these universities, Charley was part of winning several championships and bowl games including the Sooners’ 1985 National Championship.

Although Charley retired from his paid coaching career in 2007, he certainly did not retire from football. Instead, he began what his family lovingly considered his "volunteer coaching career."

He volunteered at Dibble High School, helping rebuild the football program alongside former University of Oklahoma football players and longtime friends. But one of the greatest joys of his coaching life came when he had the opportunity to help coach his grandson, Zac at Alcott Middle School and Norman High School.

In retirement, Charley and Sharon continued to follow the game they loved, especially while watching Zac's football career at the University of Tulsa. Those years also gave them the opportunity to reconnect with many former players, coaches, and lifelong friends they made throughout his career.

Charley's contributions to football were recognized with induction into three Hall of Fames: Wagoner High School, Oklahoma Panhandle State University, and the Oklahoma Coaches Association. In 2011, he was also honored with the Merv Johnson Integrity Award, a recognition especially fitting for a man whose character was as important as his accomplishments.

Away from football, Charley loved playing golf and was fortunate to play many of the country's great courses. One of his most treasured golfing memories came at the University of Oklahoma's Jimmie Austin Golf Club, where he made a hole-in-one while playing alongside his son-in-law and grandson—a memory the family will always cherish.

As proud as Charley was of his career, his greatest pride was his family. He is survived by his daughter, Charla Uhles and her husband, Rob, of Norman; grandson, Zac Uhles and his wife, Madison; and great-grandson, Boone Uhles, of Moore.

He is also survived by his brother, Bill North and his wife, Beverly, of Metairie, Louisiana; and sister-in-law Donna Prock and her husband, Kenneth, of McAlester; brothers in law, Tom Lightfoot of Norman and Dan Hoffman of Wagoner along with countless nieces, nephews and family members.

Charley was preceded in death by his wife Sharon, his parents, Elijah and Annie North; brothers, John, A.D. and Leon North; sisters, Lois Creech, Lottie McConnell, Bonnie Lightfoot, Faye Hoffman and Ruby Ellen North; mother in law Frances Carmen.

The wins, championships, Hall of Fame honors, and decades spent on football fields tell only part of Charley's story. He and Sharon built lifelong friendships they treasured always. His true legacy can be found in the lives of the people he coached, mentored, encouraged, befriended, and loved.

Charley had a remarkable ability to make people feel important. Whether someone was a celebrated coach, a young player just learning the game, an old friend, or someone he had only recently met, Charley treated people with kindness and respect. Through the years, he touched countless lives and formed friendships that extended far beyond football.

Those who knew Charley will especially remember the way he ended a conversation. He rarely let someone leave or hang up the phone without telling them he loved them or reminding them to "be careful and be safe”.

Those simple words captured so much of who Charley was. He cared about people, and he made sure they knew it.

His family, friends, former players, fellow coaches, and the generations of young men fortunate enough to learn from him will carry his lessons and his memory forward.

And they will always know how much Coach North loved them.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Sooners Helping Sooners in Charley's honor.

The family realizes the funeral falls on game day, so there will be no formal dress code for the service. Guests are encouraged to come comfortably in game-day attire, including shorts. Your presence is what matters most to the family.