Charles (Charlie) Richard Sewell, Sr., was born November 18, 1935 in St. Louis, MO, to Dewey William and Lucille Permilia (Statts) Sewell. He joined the Lord on May 26, 2021 in Tulsa, OK, at the age of 85 years. Charlie was raised in St. Louis, MO, where, after graduating high school, he attended trade vocational school. After moving to Tulsa, he married the late Eleanor Doorack Ruskoski with whom he had three sons. He later married Sandra Armstrong Patton on July 9, 1975 in Tulsa. Charlie was one of the founding owners of Tulsa Utility Contractors, Inc. (TUCI) and soon became primary owner along with his wife, Sandy. He served as a member of TUCI’s Board of Directors until his passing. Throughout his life, “Big Charlie” invested much of his time, energy, and resources in the youth and children of the Tulsa area. He served as a Scout Master for the Boy Scouts of America and was a Koala Bear in the Bear Troop of the Wood Badge Scouting Leadership Program. He was later inducted into Scouting’s National Honor Society – The Order of the Arrow. Charlie was a 32nd degree Master Mason and was recently presented his 50-year pin by the Delta Lodge of Tulsa. He was a member of the Tulsa Scottish Rite from whom he received the rank and decoration of the Knight Commander Court of Honour. He also held membership in the Tulsa York Rite, the Order of the Eastern Star, the Order of the Amaranth, and Saba Grotto. He served as Associate Grand Guardian of the OK Job’s Daughters, as Supreme Deputy to the TX Job’s Daughters, and as Grand Guardian of the Grand Bethel of OK. Charlie was a member of the Tulsa Akdar Shrine and served as the Director of the Merri Makers Clown Unit for decades. His clown name was “Radar of Akdar” and he participated in countless events over the years including parades, Shrine Circus, and children’s hospital trips and visitations. Charlie’s favorite event was the annual Shriner’s Christmas party where he was always Santa Claus and distributed the gifts and stockings to children in need. He was also a member of the International and the Tulsa Model A Club’s. During his lifetime, Charlie donated over 10 gallons of blood to the Red Cross. As a child, Charlie served as an altar boy in the Presbyterian Church and was a member and an ordained elder of the John Calvin Presbyterian Church in Tulsa for over 45 years. During that time, he served in many offices and leadership roles including that of President of the Church’s Corporation.
Those Charlie leaves behind include: His wife of over 45 years, Sandy, of the home; His Children, Charles (Little Charlie) R. Sewell, Jr. (Annetta Beeler) of Verdigris, OK, Danny Patton of Tulsa, OK, Tom Sewell (Jan) of Keystone, OK, Daylyn McCort (Phil) of Bixby, OK, David Wilson (Durenda) of Skiatook, OK, Andy Sewell (Ronica) of Broken Arrow, OK; Grandchildren, Evan Sewell (Erin), Wade Sewell (Kasey), Ashley Zoller (Josh), Dana Lichtenwalter (David), Andrea (Annie) Wright (Aaron), Rob Sewell (Wacey), Alex Sewell (Regan), Chelsea Patton, Chance Patton, Kelli Wilson, Korey Wilson (Bailey); and 18 Great Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, three sisters, daughter-in-law Angela Walden Sewell, grandson Keith Wilson, and great grandson Beckett Sewell.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, May 31, 2021, at Mowery Funeral Service in Owasso. A Memorial Service including a Masonic Honor will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at the Akdar Shrine Center in Tulsa with Pastor Adam Stang officiating. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa. The family requests that memorial contributions be made in Charlie’s name to the Akdar Shrine Transportation Fund, 2808 S. Sheridan Ave., Tulsa, OK 74129.
