Joe Dee Darnell was born March 7, 1934, in Bluejacket, Oklahoma, to Jess Lorenzo Darnell and Effie Ellen Mefford Darnell. He died Friday, July 8, 2022, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the age of 88 years. Joe completed his secondary education in Bluejacket and was a graduate of Bluejacket High School, where he was where he was a great help in his family’s dairy farm. He continued his studies at Northeastern State University where he completed his bachelor’s degree and later earned his master’s degree in counseling from Oklahoma State University. Joe was married June 4, 1960, in Vinita, Oklahoma to Betty Miers. His career of 35 years was with the State of Oklahoma as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for visual services. He was a strong man of faith and had attended the Owasso First Assembly of God, but in recent months attended the Claremore Church of the Nazarene. After 54 years of marriage, his first wife Betty passed away on December 29, 2014. The last six years he has enjoyed marriage to Dorothy Nelson. He enjoyed a special interest in photography, avidly photographing family and breathtaking landscapes. He was also known to be a great storyteller and was always willing to share a tale with his friends and family. Those he leaves behind who hold many cherished memories include:
His wife; Dorothy, of the home
Two daughters; Vivian Strain and husband Roger, of Yukon, Oklahoma
Mary Johnson and husband Wes, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Two grandsons, Adam Strain and David Strain, both of Oklahoma City
Brother; Ernie Darnell, of Tulsa, Oklahoma
Sister-in-law; Alice Darnell, of Vinita, Oklahoma
He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Betty Darnell, brother, Carl Darnell, and sisters, Maureen Lightfoot and Norma Ball.
His wife; Dorothy, of the home
Two daughters; Vivian Strain and husband Roger, of Yukon, Oklahoma
Mary Johnson and husband Wes, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Two grandsons, Adam Strain and David Strain, both of Oklahoma City
Brother; Ernie Darnell, of Tulsa, Oklahoma
Sister-in-law; Alice Darnell, of Vinita, Oklahoma
He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Betty Darnell, brother, Carl Darnell, and sisters, Maureen Lightfoot and Norma Ball.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, July 14, 2022, at Mowery Funeral Service in Owasso. Funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 15, 2022, at the Claremore Church of the Nazarene with Bret Metcalfe officiating. Serving as casket bearers will be Tim White, Jordan White, Adam Strain, and David Strain. Graveside service and interment will be held 2:00 p.m. that afternoon at the Pheasant Hill Cemetery in Vinita, Oklahoma. The family requests memorial contributions be made in Joe’s memory to the OASIS Network, P.O. Box 1924, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74101, or at www.oasisnetwork.org . Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso.
www.moweryfs.com
www.moweryfs.com
