John C. Westervelt

John Charles Westervelt of Tulsa, Oklahoma went to be with his Lord on October 21, 2020 following a brief illness. In celebration of his life, a memorial service officiated by Pastor Tom Harrison will be held at 11:00 a.m. on October 30, 2020 at Asbury United Methodist Church in the sanctuary. The service may be live streamed at https://asburytulsa.online.church/. John was born on December 9, 1927 in Oklahoma City to Wallace Wood Westervelt and Ruth Dinwiddie Westervelt. He remained close friends with his brother, Wallace, and his sister, Harriette, throughout his lifetime. The siblings took many trips together, both as young families and in their retirement years, and they spent quality time with each other. After graduating from Classen High School in Oklahoma City, John attended Oklahoma University where he graduated in May of 1950 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. After college, John served his country as an electronics officer on a destroyer operating with the Seventh Fleet in the Sea of Japan during the Korean War. After his military service was complete, John married Nelda Purnell in February of 1954. Soon thereafter, John completed his education by earning his Master's in Electrical Engineering from Oklahoma State University. John and Nelda had two children, Paul and Mary Kim. John and Nelda were active in their church throughout their lives and spent much of their free time serving God and others. They were Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) leaders and Sunday School teachers. John chaired and served on various church committees and filled in wherever he was needed. John also served in the Boy Scouts of America since he was an Eagle Scout, encouraging Paul as he became an Eagle Scout as well. John had a fulfilling engineering career working first for Bell Labs, then for Century Electronics, a geophysical company, and for many years as an engineering chief for Rockwell on the Apollo space program. He finished his career as a research engineer for Amoco as part of their research laboratory. He lived continuously in Tulsa, Oklahoma after leaving Bell Labs in 1955. After retiring, John was a weekday preschool volunteer at Asbury UMC in Tulsa for twenty years where he was lovingly known by all as "Grandpa John." He was a long-term member of the Joy Class at Asbury. He wrote several books detailing his love for Jesus, the Bible, and his family: Jesus: a Friend of Mine, Old Testament Friends, When Grandpa John was a Kid, Letters to Amy: A Grandfather's Recollections, and Heartwarming Stories. He lived his last years on the campus of Oklahoma Methodist Manor, where he continued to serve Jesus and encourage those he encountered. John is survived by his son, Paul Westervelt and wife Sandy; his daughter, Mary Kim Gray and husband Robert; four grandchildren, Brett Westervelt and wife Melody, Amy Sitzes and husband Zach, Joel Gray, and Kyla Gray; and four great-grandchildren, Charlotte and Georgeanne Westervelt and Huck and Annie Kate Sitzes. He is also survived by his brother, Wallace Westervelt and wife Barbara, and his sister, Harriette Boatright. Additionally, he leaves behind many nieces and nephews and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Nelda, and his father and mother. John wrote a vision statement in 1975 that he wholeheartedly fulfilled: "I hope when I reach the end of the trail that folks along the pathway of life will have been encouraged by my having passed their way." John's role as an encourager defined his life's purpose. Should friends desire, memorial contributions can be made to two organizations that John held dear: Asbury United Methodist Church Pre-School Ministry or Oklahoma Methodist Manor. Viewing will be 12Noon-8PM, Thursday, October 29, 2020 at Moore's Southlawn, 9350 E. 51st, Tulsa, OK. Memorial service will be 11:00 A.M., Friday, October 30, 2020 at Asbury United Methodist Church, Tulsa, OK. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233

John C. Westervelt

December 9, 1927 - October 21, 2020