Joseph B Chumley's Obituary
Joseph B Chumley Jr passed away on December 28, 2015 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Joe was born on July 16, 1927 in Joplin, Missouri to Gladys Drane. He was preceded by his older sister who passed before he was born. Joseph’s father disappeared from his life at a very early stage leaving Gladys to raise him alone. She met a very loving and generous couple, Pete and Lillie Seura, who offered to take Joe to raise with their two daughters, Eileen and Lee Anna. They were instant family. The Seura family moved to Tulsa taking Joe with them. It wasn’t until the age 10 – 12 that Gladys remarried and moved to come be a regular part of Joe’s life again. He spent time between the two households. When one would tell him no, he would go to the other for a while. Joe had a real opportunity to turn out rotten but the Lord had other plans. Joe enlisted in the Marines. For a while he carried a paper stating Joseph B Seura and Joseph B Chumley Jr. was the same person. His military papers stated that he was in “for the duration.” Thank goodness the war ended just before he was to ship out. Joe was proud to be a Marine and to serve his country. Once back home in Tulsa he met Helen McNeal at the drugstore where she worked as a soda jerk. They married in January 1947. Their first daughter, Cynthia, was born November of that same year followed 13 months later by second daughter, Sandra, in December 1948. Joe and Helen were married 68 years (69 years in January). He was a great family man, and a good provider. They didn’t have a lot of money. What they couldn’t buy, he could glue, staple, tape, nail or screw together to get by. Joe had a lot of adventures including riding out and living through a tornado. Whatever came his way he never lost his sense of humor. He was a very loving husband, dad, granddad, and great grandad, brother, uncle, and friend. He leaves behind his wife Helen, daughters Cindy (Gary) Shook and Sandy (Sam) Blaho, grandchildren Brian Blaho, Jamy Tucker, Christine Hughes, and great grandchildren Andrew, Grace, Joshua, Lilly, Xander, and Zae.Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at Floral Haven Funeral Home from 12 pm to 8 pm. Services will be held on Thursday, December 31, 2015 at 11:00 am at Floral Haven Rose Chapel.
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