Joseph Monroe Best's Obituary
Joseph Monroe BestOctober 12, 1925 to August 25, 2017Born October 12, 1925 to Grover & Frana Best; Siblings Samuel, Mary, Ruth, Paul, Lois, Merle and EuniceJoe graduated from Tiawah High School in 1943. At age 17 Joe joined the Marines where he proudly served in WWII. During the war he served in the Pacific Theater where he was involved in the battles of Guam, Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal. He served his country overseas for almost 2 years. He achieved the rank of Corporal and was honorably discharged on December 13, 1945. When he came home from the war he met the love of his life Cleo Costiloe in church. Joe and Cleo were married on April 6, 1947. He also became a lawyer in 1949. He practiced law for over 50 years with the same partner and his best friend Joe Sharp. He tried over 500 jury trials in his career, started two law firms, mentored scores of young lawyers and retired from the law firm Best & Sharp. He was a member and later became president of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Council in 1972. He was well respected as a gifted lawyer and a man of extreme character and integrity. As a boy he was raised on a farm and wanted to continue the farm life with his family. He purchased the farm in Skiatook, OK in 1964, where he and Cleo raised their four boys, David Joseph, Jonathan Charles, Timothy Grover & Philip Monroe. He loved working and maintaining Best Angus Ranch with his boys. He continued to be involved in the ranching operations up until his passing. He was an extraordinary man, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and to the many others he was blessed to know. He did extraordinary things in his life, traveled the world with his wife by his side, but he never considered himself anything more than an ordinary but blessed man. He touched many lives in his 91 years on this earth.He dedicated his life to Christ in 1956. For sixty-one years he faithfully served his Lord in the church as a deacon, Sunday school teacher and any other area needed. Later in life he was appointed deacon emeritus in 2014. He loved his Lord and Savior and knew one day he would be blessed and go into heaven to be with Jesus and his beloved wife Cleo.Joe was an avid University of Oklahoma fan. He was a football season ticket holder for many years along with his best friend Joe Sharp. He attended many amazing games over the years. Many of us were blessed to be able to attend some of those games with him. In his last days he watched highlights of the OU games in his hospital room. So in remembrance of Joe, BOOMER SOONER.His parents, siblings, his beloved Cleo, Robert “Butch” Adams and his grandson Jonathan Charles Best Jr precede him in death.He is survived by their son David and wife Pam; son Jonathan and his children Brandi Tippit and husband Eric, Jason and wife Kentra, Cody and wife Kelcie and Tyfany; Timothy and wife Vonda and their children Garrett, Taylor, Heather Bunn and husband John, Meagan Duckwall and Landon McGarry; Philip and wife Debbie and their children Timothy, Andrew, Grace, Victoria and Jessica; extended family Dan and Edwena Maddox their children J. Edward, Chris and wife Cassie, Dallas and wife Malinda; JoDell Adams and her children Jessica and Aubrey Bell and husband Michael; Gigi Reed and children; and many great grandchildren who love him dearly.He was a warrior for the Lord, a warrior for his family and a warrior for his country.Visitation will be 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with family receiving friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Monday, August 28th, Floral Haven Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be 10:00 AM, Tuesday, August 29th, Lakeview Baptist Church, Skiatook with committal service to follow at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens.In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Oklahoma Baptist Children’s Home. www.obhc.org/bch-owasso
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