Charlie Cameron Birnie

Charlie C. Birnie of Tulsa died January 4, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Charlie was born on August 28, 1934, in Roswell, New Mexico to Charles and Louise Birnie. Charlie's older sister, Betty Jo Birnie, died at 17 months in 1928. During his school years he played football and was an Eagle Scout. He graduated from New Mexico Military Institute high school in 1953 and completed two years of Jr. college graduating in 1955. He graduated from New Mexico School of Mines with a degree in Petroleum Engineering with high honors in 1957. In 1956, his summer job took him to East Texas where Charlie met the love of his life, Jo Alice Grafton. He asked her to be his wife that summer before heading back to school. They made plans for a wedding while he was on Christmas break. They were married on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1956. He served in the Army when engineers were needed for a special project. As a young man Charlie realized his need for salvation. He then accepted Jesus Christ as the only way to heaven. He was an active church member and served as deacon, church treasurer, Sunday school teacher, and many other various capacities over the years. Charlie was a faithful member of South Lakewood Baptist Church for 54 years. Charlie and Jo's, firstborn child, Cindy, was born in 1959 with Greg coming along in 1960 and Debbie following up in 1961. From 1959 to 1969 they moved six times from Hobbs to Lubbock to Tulsa, back to Lubbock to Brownfield to Ft. Worth to making the last move to Tulsa where he made his home for the last 54 years. Eleven years after Debbie was born, Bill made the family complete in 1973. Charlie retired from Amoco Oil in October 1989 at the age of 55 after 32 years of employment. After retirement he volunteered at the Tulsa Public Schools in the math/science department for several years and he enjoyed doing stained glass. He made stained glass windows for Florence Street Baptist Church in Broken Arrow, the church his wife grew up at, Hopewell Baptist Church in Carthage, Texas, Olive St. Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, stained-glass pieces around South Lakewood Baptist Church in Tulsa and for family and friends. Charlie also enjoyed leatherwork and made belts for a period of time. Charlie and Jo enjoyed cooking lunch each Sunday for their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and guests over the years. Charlie enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren grow up. He was proud of his family and was always talking about and showing off pictures of them. Charlie also maintained many friendships over the years. After being in the hospital, rehab, and the hospital a second time since Thanksgiving week he was ready to go Home knowing that this world is not his home and that he was just passing through. So, on January 4th, to the sadness of his family and friends, he made his journey home to Heaven where he is now with his Savior. Charlie left behind a Godly legacy. Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Louise Birnie, sister, Betty Jo Birnie, son-in-law, Jim Frederick, and granddaughter Elisabeth Frederick. Charlie is survived by: Wife, Jo Alice of 67 years; four children, Cindy Frederick of Tulsa, Greg Birnie (and wife Susan) of Tulsa, Debbie Caywood (and husband Steve) of Broken Arrow, Bill Birnie of Tontitown, Arkansas; eight grandchildren, Seth Caywood (and wife Kerin), Nate Caywood (and wife Lacey), Austin Birnie (and wife Alison), Brie Caywood, Katie Vinyard (and husband Nick), David Frederick, Rebekah Frederick, and Jonathan Frederick; ten great-grandchildren Piper Caywood, Maggie Caywood, Belle Caywood, Weston Barton, Ava Caywood, Lyla Caywood, Winnie Birnie, Caroline Vinyard, Simon Birnie and Elyse Vinyard; as well as nieces and nephews and many more family members and friends. Visitation will be 4-7PM, Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at Moore's Southlawn, 9350 E. 51st, Tulsa, OK. Funeral Service will be 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, January 10 2024 at South Lakewood Missionary Baptist Church, 6108 E. 20th Street, Tulsa, OK. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233

Charlie Cameron Birnie

August 28, 1934 - January 4, 2024