Earl Austin Wakefield

Earl Austin Wakefield, devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and loyal friend, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 19th, 2024, at the age of 85. Earl was born to James Newell and Velma Elizabeth Wakefield in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on November 22, 1938. He graduated from Coweta High School in 1957, where he was a three-sport letterman in football, basketball and baseball, fondly referred to as Earthquake and Sure-Shot. He attended Northeastern State University and Oklahoma State University, before graduating from the University of Tulsa with a bachelor's degree in business. Earl married the love of his life, Sandra Ann Fisher, in Tulsa, on August 8, 1959, two years after their blind date set-up by his oldest sister, Vera. Together, they raised two daughters, Sheri and Julie. He was an accomplished businessman working in banking and oil and gas for most of his career. Earl worked at many financial institutions in Tulsa; First National Bank, Bank of Oklahoma, Utica National Bank and proudly returned to his hometown of Coweta to serve as President of Security Bank. Oil and gas organizations included Standard Oil, Furlow & Associates, Cook Oil Company and WSA Engineering. Earl's interest in aviation and automobiles was unparalleled. He could identify the make and model of every car on the road as well as every airplane in the sky. He lived for air shows and classic car meets and amassed a fleet of collectibles, which adorned many rooms of his home. Earl was a meticulous private pilot and spent countless hours at Riverside Airport in Jenks, flying with friends, selling airplanes and swapping stories. One of his greatest attributes was his level of commitment to those around him. Earl poured into family and friendships. His family was held closest to his heart. His childhood friends remained his best friends throughout his lifetime. Earl loved sports and supporting his children and grandchildren in all of their endeavors. He served as a 'coach' for various teams and loved attending anything and everything he could to celebrate his grandkids on stage, on a court or a playing field. Earl was preceded in death by his parents, James Newell Wakefield, who was Lost at Sea (LAS) on the USS Indianapolis in WWII and Velma Elizabeth (Wakefield) Butts; beloved step-father, Jim Butts; sisters, Vera Wakefield (Garrett) Hanes and Becky (Butts) Smith. He is survived by his devoted wife, Sandra, of 64 years, their children Sheri (Forrest) Carpenter and Julie (Joe) Muller; grandchildren, Jaxon Muller, Annie Carpenter (Carter) Link, Brandon (Abby) Muller, Austin (Mallory) Carpenter, Matthew Muller. Also, nephew Gregg Garrett, nieces Vickie Garza and Vonda Rempe and numerous extended family members. Visitation will be held at Moore Funeral Home Southlawn Chapel on Thursday, January 25, from 4:00pm-7:00 pm. A celebration of Earl's life will be held at Moore Funeral Home Southlawn Chapel, on Friday, January 26, at 10:00 am. Reception will follow. In his memory, contributions can be made in Earl's name to Wounded Warrior Project and New Life Ranch Summer Camp (Mission 19:14 Camper Scholarship Fund).

Earl Austin Wakefield

November 22, 1938 - January 19, 2024