James Chester Cazenave was born on July 29, 1924, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma to August and Iona (Dunchie, Smith) Cazenave. Chester, as he was so lovingly known, was raised on his parents' farm in Okmulgee, where he attended grade school at Uganda Martyrs and helped support his family until he entered the United States Army in 1940. He was a proud veteran and served in World War II. After completion of service with the U.S. Army he headed west to California, Los Angeles to be exact. He met and married Phyllis Brandon and they along with Phyllis' daughter Sherlyne settled into their new home on Victoria Ave.
Chester started his own janitorial company and worked for Rockwell International with over 40 years of service. He eventually retired from RI and moved back to Tulsa, OK where he purchased the "House on the Hill". He was known for his plentiful and wonderful gardens that were kept manicured as if they were Bonsai trees. He loved sharing his garden with the Senior community. He and his brother Ralph would deliver vegetables on a weekly basis for as long as the garden was producing. You see, the Senior community weren't the only ones that enjoyed the gardens, the deer and rabbits did as well. Now, on any given day you could hear him cussing and fussing about the deer and rabbits eating his vegetables and you could see the shell casings as well. (Laugh) He didn't play when it came to his garden. After his brother's passing, Chester continued the acts of kindness. In addition, he was also known for brush hogging for the City of Tulsa. A man of many traits! His sizable statue and wit will truly be missed.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father as well as: his wife Phyllis (Brandon) Cazenave, stepdaughter Sherlyne Turner, his brothers August Jr., Donald (Buddy), Ralph, Eugene, Leonard, and his sisters, Genevieve, Juanita, Delores, Vivian (Cook), Lorraine (Reene), and Marie (Tallie). He leaves to cherish his memory: his baby brother Norbert B. Cazenave (Marivi) of Los Angeles, CA, sister-in-law, Billye R. Cazenave of San Diego, CA, two devoted and loving nieces (daughters) Kimberly (Cazenave) Allen of Tulsa, OK and Leticia C. Cazenave-Brown of San Diego, CA, his Goddaughter, Linda (Bush) DeJear of Tulsa, OK, and a host of other nieces and nephews and relatives.
Viewing: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursday, March 7th at Moore's Memory Chapel 1403 S. Peoria Ave., Tulsa, OK.
Rosary: 6:00 p.m. Thursday, March 7th at St. Augustine Catholic Church 1720 E. Apache, Tulsa, OK.
Funeral: 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 8th at St. Augustine Catholic Church.
Graveside: 2:30 p.m. Friday, March 8th at Fort Gibson National Cemetery.
Moore's Memory Chapel
918-583-6148