Johnny Edward Barfield's Obituary
In Loving Memory of Johnny Edward Barfield
Johnny Edward Barfield, 91 of Tulsa, completed his baptismal journey and went to be with his heavenly Father on October 27, 2023. Johnny was born in Levita, TX to John Henry and Verna (née Melton) on March 3, 1932. The oldest of five, Johnny had to drop out of school at age 14 to help raise his siblings and provide for the family after his father abandoned his mother. At age 19, he joined the US navy reserves and later was a hat salesman for the Wormser Hat stores in Tulsa, OK, Birmingham, AL, and Fort Worth, TX.
He met the love of his life, Lois, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fort Worth, TX where she was a parish worker. At that time, he also began a 40+ year career selling insurance for Lutheran Brotherhood, a fraternal benefit society established by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in 1917. Now known as Thrivent, the 2nd largest fraternal benefit society in the country, Johnny was the first salesman in Texas.
After retiring from Thrivent in 2000, he continued to serve the church as the Oklahoma District Vice President for Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) for another 10 years. He was able to leverage his many church connections as a LB agent, doubling the net assets across the state of Oklahoma and increasing four-fold the loan funds available to congregations in the state. Just before his passing, Johnny was honored with the prestigious Arthur C. Haake Leadership Award, the highest award from LCEF, recognizing his significant contributions to LCEF and exemplified Christian faith and love in his life.
In addition to his decades of service to the church, Johnny was well-known as Tulsa’s Most Popular Magician. For more than 40 years, his unique blend of magic and comedy captivated audiences of all ages. A founding member of the Fellowship of Christian Magicians (FCM), Johnny used his magic skills to further his personal commitment to the Great Commission (Mathew 28: 16 – 20).
Johnny also served in the Kiwanis in both Texas and Oklahoma for more than 40 years. He was active in the Kiwanis Club of Tulsa for 30 years and was a past President of the Tulsa Club, Lieutenant Governor, and a Vice President for the Texas / Oklahoma Kiwanis District.
Johnny had many hobbies outside of magic and service to the community, including being a skilled woodworker making toys, games, and dollhouses for his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Moreover, he was also an accomplished vintner and renowned for his Texas BBQ feasts. A great man of faith, Johnny served the church his full life and truly embodied the principles of a servant leader.
Johnny is preceded in death by his parents, John Henry and Verna, sisters Geraldine O’Flaherty, Alma Mae Neighbors, and Alfred Barfield, and his wife of 61 years Lois Barfield who passed away in 2018. He is survived by his brother Herman, sons Randy and Kelton, daughters Blythe Waugh and Michelle Martens, and the following grandchildren and great-grandchildren:
Grandchildren:
Danielle Haynes, April Hyde, Kyle Baker, Austin Waugh, Crosby Waugh, Autumn Barfield, Kayla Shelton, Kevin Barfield, Anna Davis, Zachariah Barfield, and Brian Barfield.
Great-grandchildren:
Lucas Haynes, Evangaline Haynes, Grace Haynes, Wyatt Baker, Layla Baker, Remi Shelton, Ruger Shelton, Olivia Waugh, Thomas Waugh, Nathan Waugh, Caiden Roper, Kendrick Lafitte, Alexis Smith, Maurice Smith, Tyree Harris, and Alannah Sapp.
In lieu of flowers, the children ask that memorial donations be made to the Lois and Johnny Barfield Memorial Scholarship (https://CUChicago.edu/GiveNow), established by the children in their parents’ honor to provide scholarships to adult non-traditional students. Checks may also be mailed to: Concordia University Foundation: 7400 Augusta Street, River Forest, IL 60305.
Sola Gratia – Sola Fide – Sola Scriptura
Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2023, from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM, at Floral Haven Funeral Home: 6500 S 129th E Ave, Broken Arrow, OK 74012.
Anyone wishing to send flowers may do so by ordering through our website or by calling Floral Designs by Floral Haven at (918) 459-1525. Any other florists may deliver flowers by 3:00 PM on Thursday, November 2, 2023, in order for them to be set out during visitation.
A funeral service to honor the life of Johnny will be held the following day, Friday, November 3, 2023, at 10:00 AM, at Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church: 2550 E 71st St, Tulsa, OK 74136. The service will be live-streamed on the church’s Facebook page at the following link for anyone unable to physically attend: https://www.facebook.com/ChristTheRedeemerLutheranChurch
Interment will follow immediately after conclusion of the church service, scheduled for 11:30 AM, at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens in the Garden of Serenity, where the U.S. Navy Honor Guard will be in attendance to render Honors in remembrance of Johnny as well as his dedication to his country.
Moreover, a reception and luncheon will be held once interment concludes from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM at Floral Haven Family Center. Johnny's family would like to warmly extend an invitation to anyone wishing to attend the reception in order to continue sharing memories. The Floral Haven Family Center is also located at Floral Havel Funeral Home, 6420 S 129th E Ave, Broken Arrow, OK 74012.
Arrangements entrusted to Floral Haven Funeral Home.
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