'We thank KFOR for that': Son's death certificate finally signed after weeks

As if burying their son wasn’t hard enough, an Oklahoma couple told KFOR they had been struggling for weeks trying to get his death certificate signed by a doctor at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital South. 

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - Clarence and Janie Robison lost their oldest son Barry about six weeks ago. 

"It was devastating. It was something you never expect,” said Clarence. 

At 52-years-old, Barry Robison died of natural causes. He battled a heart condition for years. Barry’s ex-wife found him in his home. 

"Passed away before Mother's Day,” said Janie. 

As if burying their son wasn’t hard enough, Clarence and Janie told KFOR they had been struggling for weeks trying to get Barry’s death certificate signed by a doctor at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital South. 

It was expected to take three weeks, but after not hearing an update for four, Clarence called the hospital. 

“[I was told] The doctor's not going to sign because he's only seen him once for consultation,” said Clarence. 

However, Clarence said that wasn’t true. 

“Barry had been seeing him quite often for his high blood pressure… All of his scripts have the doctor's name on them,” said Clarence. “I was more than frustrated. I was angry." 

The Robisons said after exhausting all of their efforts to get the death certificate signed for weeks, they decided to give us a call. 

“In a matter of less than an hour, we had this resolved and the doctor was signing and faxing over the death certificate to the funeral home,” said Clarence. 

A spokesperson for the Oklahoma Heart Association sent KFOR the following statement: 

“Our sincere condolences to the family for their loss. Deaths that occur outside the hospital setting are complicated as an Oklahoma Heart Hospital physician was not present and signing a legal document regarding an unobserved death is complex. The death certificate has been signed and sent to the funeral home. Oklahoma Heart Hospital cares deeply for all patients and families and we send our sympathies to the family.”

Oklahoma Heart Association 

“It’s a little bit of closure to know that there's people out there that care that that will help you,” said Clarence. “We thank KFOR for that."