Clayton "Clay" E. Cullen's Obituary
After a short, hard fought battle with cancer, Clayton “Clay” Cullen went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 28, 2017 in Claremore, OK at the age of 74. He leaves behind his wife, Helen Cullen; his sons, Eric Cullen, Danny Johnson and Eddie Johnson; and his daughters, Deborah Vanderveen, Rebecca Bayler and Marsea Edwards. Clay was born on June 14, 1942 in Long Beach, CA, to father James Cullen and mother Margaret Appich. He grew up in a loving home with his sister, Annette Cullen his mother and his step-father, Lawrence Ottley. He went to high school in Parsons, KS where he excelled in academics and baseball. He graduated in 1961. After returning from military duty, he attended Northeastern State University where he received a degree in criminal Justice. Clay joined the Army after graduation and was stationed in Vicenza, Italy with the 62nd Engineers. The engineering company was an ADM (Atomic Demolition Munitions) engineering unit. After finishing his four years of active duty, he joined the Army National Guard as a staff Sergeant. On April 1, 1965 he joined his beloved Tulsa Police Department where he worked as a Detective for most of his career. He retired a Corporal after 20 years on the department. He also completed 20 years with the National Guard. In 1988, Clay became Assistant Director of Campus Police for Tulsa Junior College, where he worked until his retirement in 2005. Clay held an Oklahoma Police Commission card for 50 years (1965-2015) and he was president of the Oklahoma Chiefs of Police Association from 96 to 98. Clay married Helen Mears on September 22, 1972 in Tulsa, OK. There the couple lived and raised their children. Clay was a driven professional with a secret love of history and genealogy. He was able to trace back his family genealogy over 1,500 years over a 3 year period. Clay was also a member of MENSA, FOP and TARC, where he volunteered for the developmentally disabled for 25 years. He remained a brave, iron-willed man, even throughout his final months. Clay is survived by his wife, children, 16 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren as well as his nephew, Troy Cooper and numerous in-laws he loved as his own. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister. Clay requested to be interred in a mausoleum at Floral Haven cemetery in Broken Arrow, OK. He will be given full police and military honors. Viewing is set for March 5th, 2017 from 4pm to 8pm and the service is March 6, 2017 at 3pm, both at Floral Haven. A reception at the Floral Haven family center will follow; all are welcome. The family would especially like to thank Grace Hospice and Carrie Pettigrew for their/her excellent work and loving care; and Floral Haven for making the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to The National Cancer Society.
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