Charles Joyce's Obituary
Charles Edwin Joyce, 90 of Tulsa, Oklahoma passed from this life on Saturday, May 25, 2019 at his home with family by his side. He was born March 6, 1929 in Yonkers, Oklahoma to his parents, Earnest Littleton Joice and Margaret Katherine Downing Joice. Charles married the love of his life, Letha Mae Burkett Joyce and they shared in over 72 beautiful years together.Charles is survived by his wife, Letha Joyce of the home. His son Ronald Edwin Joyce and his wife Linda live in Broken Arrow, OK. He was preceded in death by his second son Charles Earnest (Ernie) Joyce.Charles and Letha have six grandchildren: Tatia Ringle and her husband Gerry, Kerry Joyce and is wife Kimberly, Joshua Joyce, Casey Joyce, and Amaya Owens and her husband Larry. Also preceding Charles in death is their other grandchild Cortney Tyler Joyce. They are blessed with eight great-grandchildren: Bailey Jordan, July Ringle, Ty Joyce, Eli Ringle, Ella Joyce, Jaden Owens, Aliyah Owens, and Makai Owens.A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 31, 2019 at Belview Baptist Church, 1040 N. Yale, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Internment will be at a later date at Floral Haven Cemetery.In 1929 the stock market crashed and Oklahoma was a dust bowl. Countless Americans were jobless and nearly every family was affected by economic uncertainty. The world was in need of hope-filled men and women quick to smile and share a laugh. One of the best at that was Charles Edwin Joyce. Born March 6 of that same year, Charlie was the kind of person needed to help others recover from troubles.As a young boy his family lived in a cabin with a dirt floor. During his school years his family moved often following whatever job opportunities his dad could find during the Depression. Moving from one new school to another (in five years he went to 10 different schools), Charles was forced to learn the skill of making new friends, something at which he excelled. This ability to make friends served him well for his 90 years. The great blessing that accompanied Charlie Joyce was that he was a man rich with friends.As a junior high student his family moved to California where his dad worked in the shipyards during the war. Jobs were plentiful in wartime, which suited Charles just fine. As a 14-year-old he quickly picked up work at a grocery and at the same time worked doing odd jobs at another shop. It wasn’t long before his drafting teacher recognized his skills in reading blueprints and with a little help from his teacher and his dad’s connections at the shipyard Charles was working a third job as a draftsman. Eventually Charles returned to Oklahoma to finish his high school. He lived with his Uncle Steve and Aunt Maud while attending Locust Grove High School where he met Letha Burkett. After Charles graduated in 1947 he married his high school sweetheart. They enjoyed a 72-year marriage. Letha was his greatest fan and friend.The couple moved to Tulsa where Charles worked as a house painter. Their first child was born in 1949, Ronald Edwin, and a second son in 1956, Charles Earnest.The family bought their first and last home in 1951 on East Latimer. They lived in that house nearly 70 years and made some of their closest life-long friends in that neighborhood. Charles served as a Boy Scout Pack Master and participated in the PTA. In his church, Belview Baptist, he served as a Sunday School leader, church bus driver, played on the softball team, served on the board of deacons, sang in the choir, and was treasurer of the church for over 50 years.Charles opened his own contracting business in 1960 and specialized in home remodeling and restoration. Without the benefit of any advertising or sales force his business thrived for over 50 years. Charles retired at 85. Not only was Charles and his business held in high regard in the Tulsa area, he became close friends with many of his customers. Charles had the privilege of working for many of Tulsa’s leading citizens. Charlie often mentioned how good the city of Tulsa and its people had been to him over the years. He gladly served the people of Tulsa and the city rewarded his service by being a haven of well being for his family.
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