Robert E. “Bob” Nantz was born October 21, 1939, in Salem, Illinois, to Grafton Earl and Nettie (Hogan) Nantz. He died Sunday, January 12, 2014, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, at the age of 74 years after a 4 month battle with brain cancer. Bob completedhis secondary education in Tulsa and graduated with the East Central High School Class of 1957. He was married October 8, 1966, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Kay Woodward. As a young man, Bob began to work as a brick layer and was soon running his own masonry contruction company. In 1965, Bob joined the Tulsa Fire Department. He was very proud of his profession and after 36 years of service, he retired as a District Chief. In his early years he was active in the Tulsa rodeo community as an accomplished calf roper. His cowboy ways carried through to his “other” jobas a cattle rancher near Vinita. He possessed a quick wit and a keen sense of humor and perfected the art of corny jokes. Bob was a longtime faithful member of Rejoice Free Will Baptist Church in Owasso. He dearly loved his family and devoted his life unselfishly to them. His friends and neighbors knew him by his principled beliefs, his giving nature, and his love of life that was characterized by his smile and his favorite saying, “Life is Good”. He will be deeply missed by all.
Loving family members include:
His wife of over 47 years; Kay, of the home
Two sons and daughters-in-law;
Robert J. “Bob” Nantz and Rattana Kittitornsup-Nantz,
Jim and Robin Nantz, all of Broken Arrow, OK
Six grandchildren;
Sophia Nantz
Zoe Nantz
Matthew Nantz
Wyatt Nantz
Luke Nantz
Clara Nantz
Brother; Donald Gene Nantz and his wife Bonnie, of Mt. Airy, Maryland
Sister; Sandra Epps, of Socorro, New Mexico
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother Joe Dan Nantz.
Funeral services will be held 1:30pm Wednesday, January 15, 2014, at Rejoice Church in Owasso with Pastor Leonard Pirtle officiating with Funeral Honors by the Tulsa Fire Department. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to the Rejoice Foundation, 13413 East 106th Street North, Owasso, Oklahoma, 74055. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso, 918-272-6244. www.moweryfs.com
