Joe Donald Kehr

Joe D. Kehr Born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma on April 12, 1927 Passed away in Tulsa Oklahoma, October 7, 2023, age 96 years, 6 months Joe has been preceded in final passing by his parents Harry Hartman Kehr (father) and Edna Isenberg Kehr (mother) and brothers Willard Hartman Kehr and Harry Eugene Kehr, both of Tulsa. He is also preceded by his wife of 60 years, Gladys Dell (Louden) Kehr and his daughter-in-law, Sharon Gardner Kehr, also of Tulsa. He is survived by his daughter, Kimberley Jo Kehr of Kansas City, Missouri, his son, Stephen Eric Kehr and his grandson, Aalax Hartman Thompson both also of Tulsa. He was "Uncle Joe" to nieces Meg Greenwood of Bartlesville, Cindy Adkisson of Tulsa, Mindy Rowland-Hess of Dallas Texas, Terri Dawn (Fallis) of Tulsa, and Richard Charles Fallis of Ft Gibson, Oklahoma. Joe was a Veteran of the US Navy. He achieved the rank of Seaman, 1st Class and served on Admiral Halsey's new Pacific flagship, the USS South Dakota in 1944/45. Interment service will take place Friday, October 13th, at Memorial Park Cemetery at the Lakeside Mausoleum, 51st & Memorial Drive, Tulsa at 2:00 PM. This is an informal event. A Memorial Service celebrating the life of Joe will take place on Saturday, October 21, at South Tulsa Baptist Church, at 10:30 AM in the Chapel. Donations in lieu are suggested to support the wonderful work of Clarehouse hospice, 75th & Mingo Tulsa, who welcomed Joe into their home during his short time of transition! Born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma on April 12, 1927 ... Joe was raised on a farm near Okmulgee. His younger years were spent with school, farm chores, and building/flying model airplanes. He and his brothers eventually took that love of flight and imagination and formed The Gluedobbers Model Club, later to become The Tulsa Gluedobbers. As a child Joe was accidently shot through the neck by a stray .22 rifle round, and kicked in the forehead by a mule at close range, resulting in his famous Hard Head scar. He survived both. Joe was graduate of Central High School, Tulsa, Class of '44. He was an exemplary student especially in drafting and art. He held several jobs during these years working at the "Blue Dome" gas station in downtown Tulsa, and as an aircraft galley stocker for Sky-Chef at the Tulsa Municipal Airport. Joe immediately joined the US Navy upon graduation from High School. He achieved the rank of Seaman, 1st Class and served on Admiral Halsey's Flagship, the USS South Dakota, during the Invasion of Japan refitting. Ultimately, the war ended before the deployment was sent to Japan, and Joe was released from active duty to reservist status in 1945. Viewing 12Noon-8PM, Wednesday & Thursday, October 11 and October 12 at Moore's Southlawn, 9350 E. 51st, Tulsa, OK. Graveside Service 2:00 P.M., Friday, October 13, 2023 at Memorial Park Cem., Tulsa, OK. A Memorial Service celebrating the life of Joe will take place on Saturday, October 21, at South Tulsa Baptist Church, at 10:30 AM in the Chapel. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233

Joe Donald Kehr

April 12, 1927 - October 7, 2023