Iris Eileen Painter's Obituary
Iris Eileen Painter was born February 22, 1918 in Waynesville, Missouri, the 2nd of 13 children of Howard Andrew Painter and Sylvia Pearl Taylor Painter. Her brothers and Sisters names are, Howard Andrew Painter, Jr., Helen Claire Painter, Mary Florence Painter, William Earnest Painter, Lela Esther Betty Painter, George Hudson Painter, Robert Eugene Painter, Vanda Lee Painter, Joe Wiley Painter, Jon Riley Painter, James Allen Painter, Charlotte Ione Painter. When Iris was 18 days old, her mother took her by train from Waynesville, Missouri to Tulsa, Oklahoma to join her father and brother. Her father had obtained a residence for them at 9th and Wheeling. Eleven children were born in Tulsa but because of the depression they had to move wherever there was employment, and at that time it was Jonesboro, Arkansas. Tulsa was always considered home. In 1959, when her father retired her parents moved back to Tulsa to join their friends.Iris received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Missouri, her Master’s Degree from the University of Tulsa, and worked toward her Doctorate at Washington University in St. Louis, where she researched “Stress of Air Traffic Controllers”. Her research has been used by Air Traffic Controllers throughout the United States. She was preparing her dissertation when her father passed away at which time she left Washington University to help care for her mother during this time of crisis. Upon returning to Tulsa, Oklahoma, Iris was among the first Professors at Tulsa Junior College where she taught Human Relations.When World War II broke out, Iris joined the WAC’s, was a Radio Operator stationed in Europe. After her military service she used the GI Bill to learn to fly. She received her Multi-Engine Rating, She was a flight instructor, crop duster. air show performer, and commercial pilot, transporting many people to their destination. Flying was her passion. She made application to volunteer to go on the Mission to Mars when it became available. Iris was a psychologist at the Fulton, Missouri Mental Institution, and also at Parkside in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was an Air Traffic Controller in Kansas City, Missouri, St. Louis, Missouri and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Iris is survived by 3 brothers, Joe Painter, Jon Painter and Jim Painter, one sister, Charlotte Painter Bell and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, Iris’ family request that donations be made to the gofundme Iris Painter Memorial Fund, gofundme.com/f/iris-painter-memorial-fund Memorial Service will be 12 -4 pm, November 17, 2019 at Laffoon’s Frontier Steak House :9338 State Ave. Kansas City, KS 66112
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