Jack Lee Battenfield was born May 4, 1926, to Jessie and Sibbie Nutt Battenfield in Gore, OK, and passed to his heavenly home on January 1, 2021.
At an early age he felt obligated to work to support his mother and siblings. He picked cotton with his mother, worked at a gas station, and in doing so, he quit school in eighth grade to do that.
He served his country by joining the Army during WWII in the Pacific Conflict in the Philippines. He served from 1944 to 1946 and earned the Bronze Star. He also served as Commander and Chaplain at Owasso VFW Post 7180.
After serving his country, he worked at the Cotton Mill in Sand Springs, OK. He and his cousin were going to a party and picked up some girls in his 1939 Ford convertible to take; he looked in his rear view mirror and saw the prettiest girl ever (Betty Jane David) who ended up being the love of his life. They married December 13, 1947. Four children were born during their marriage, Linda Jane, Nancy Lee, David Wayne, and Kevin Lynn.
He went to electronics school at Spartan. After completing his education, he worked as an aircraft mechanic at North American, Century, and what would become McDonnell Douglas. In 1959, he transferred to the St Louis plant and worked on what would become the Land Rover for the moon landings. In 1966, Jack was named one of Tulsa's Who's Who. In 1969, he moved the family from Tulsa to Hulbert, where he raised various types of livestock, had a beautiful garden, fish pond and a spring fed branch. He retired from McDonnell Douglas in 1981.
In early 1974, he became an ordained minister with the Church of God. In May of that year, he did his first baby dedication for his first three grandchildren, Stacy and Holly Ring, and Scott Ryals. His last baby dedication was for his great-granddaughter, Dahlia Ryals, on September 5, 2011. He became a Bishop with the Church of God on December 31, 1975. He performed numerous weddings, funerals, baby dedications, and baptisms. He served as pastor and interim pastor at various churches from the mid-1970s until 2013. His love for God was shown as a shepherd of his flocks, which was his true calling.
He had many hobbies, but he loved taking those long scenic drives to admire God's beautiful creation.
He is survived by daughters, Linda & Bill Ring of Chouteau, OK, Nancy McClure of Tulsa, sons David & Joyce Battenfield of Terlton, and Kevin & Christy Battenfield of Haskell, eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. Brothers, Bill & Sylvia Battenfield of Muskogee, Tommy & Nancy Battenfield of Muskogee, Herbert & Debbie Battenfield of Gore, and sister, Sue & Hal Myers of Webber Falls; and many nieces, nephews, and friends too numerous to name.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Betty Battenfield; parents, Jesse Battenfield and Sibbie Battenfield Grubb; brothers, Elbert and Olin; and friend and son-in-law, Bill McClure.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in his honor to the Claremore Restoration Church of God, Vickie Williams, 11550 South 4160 Road Claremore, OK 74017
Viewing on Sunday, January 3, 2021, 12-5 p.m., and Monday, January 4, 2021, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., both at Moore Eastlawn Chapel, 1908 S. Memorial Dr., Tulsa, OK (918) 622-1155, with a Memorial Service at a later date.
Interment at Woodland Memorial Park Cemetery, Sand Springs, OK.