Rev. Dr. J.L. (Jesse L.) Canafax, 92, of Catoosa, Oklahoma, passed away on Friday, February 25, 2017. He was born the only son to William Franklin and Mary Ann Davis Canafax, April 27, 1924, in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Jesse was reared and educated in Ardmore and was a graduate of Ardmore High School. He was a veteran of the armed forces having served his country honorably with the United States Navy during World War II. He continued his education at Murray State College in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, where he earned an Associate Degree in science. He then attended East Central State College in Ada, Oklahoma, earning a Bachelor of Science degree. Jesse was married September 4, 1947, in Gainsville, Texas, to Joyce Setzer. Jesse received his calling to the ministry and attended Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, with a Bachelor of Ministry degree. He received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. Jesse served as pastor of five Southern Baptist Churches in Oklahoma and Arizona. He also served on the staff of the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention in Phoenix for 16 years. He retired from the staff of the Baptist General Convention of Texas in Dallas, Texas, after serving for four years. Jesse was an avid reader and student of the Bible. He was an avid fan of the Oklahoma Sooners and Dallas Cowboys. He enjoyed a variety of pastimes including gardening and loved his pets. He was a devoted family man and died peacefully at his home with his family by his side. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Loving family members include:
His wife of over 69 years; Joyce
Son; Edwin L. Canafax
Daughter; Janis Canafax Buck
Foster grandson; CPO, Kiel Albarran, U.S. Navy, and wife Naomi
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2017, at Mowery Funeral Service in Owasso. Committal service and entombment will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 2, 2017, at the Griffin-Hillcrest Memorial Park Mausoleum in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso.
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