John David Pfister's Obituary
John David Pfister, passed away September 4, 2022, at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa. He was born in Shawneetown, IL, on August 11, 1945, to William Cletus Pfister and Ruth Walton. He was the youngest of seven children and was raised on a working farm in Ridgway, IL. He was raised Catholic and attended Catholic school through middle school. He graduated from Ridgway High School in 1963 and, after a few lively years, he joined the U.S. Marines where he served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. After serving his country, he returned to Springfield, IL where he found his life’s work as a computer hardware specialist. While living in Springfield, IL, he worked for the State of Illinois and was a member of a rock ‘n roll band named Crosstown Traffic where he played guitar and sang vocals. He married his first wife, Jan Moser, on October 4, 1969, and adopted Jan’s three daughters—Stephanie, Janit and Paula. He would remain faithfully married to Jan for over 35 years until her passing in Tulsa on February 4, 2005. He and his family moved to Memphis, TN in 1980 where he worked for Schering-Plough. In 1987, he and his family moved to Tulsa where he worked for American Airlines / Sabre (and spinoffs thereof) until his retirement in 2008. On February 8, 2008, he married Becky (Reese) Covey. He and Becky lived in Tulsa and enjoyed over 14 years of marriage together before his passing. He was an avid golfer. In retirement, he would play golf a few times per week. He worked as a starter and course marshal at Page Belcher Golf Course. He assisted with the American Airlines Charity Golf Tournament for over 25 years. He loved vacationing in Ormond Beach, Florida, going to the movies, eating movie popcorn, and eating crab legs.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Cletus Pfister and Ruth Walton Pfister; first wife, Jan Moser Pfister; brother, William Joseph Pfister; sister, Elaine Wilson; and daughters, Janit Mahoney and Paula Pfister.
He is survived by his wife, Becky Pfister of Tulsa; sisters, Barbara Lanham of Springfield, IL, Mary Lou Blakenship of Ridgway, IL, Anita Wargel of Ridgway, IL, and Janet Dickey of Springfield, IL; daughter, Stephanie Collins of Tulsa; step-sons, Michael Covey Jr. (and wife Carla) of Tulsa, and Kris Covey (and wife Nicole) of Cypress, TX; grandchildren, Justen Gilbert, Nathan Gilbert, Blake Gilbert (and wife Emily), Derek VanHooser (and wife Kandyz), Lerinda Pfister, and Maretta Pfister; step-grandchildren, Reese Covey, Peyton Covey, and Kendall Covey; and 7 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at Heritage United Methodist Church on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 10:30 am.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Heart Association, or Heritage United Methodist Church.
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