Laddie Ondracek, 89, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at the Montereau Retirement Community in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was born June 14, 1928 in Rogers, Nebraska to Charles "Karle" and Elizabeth Ondracek, immigrant tenant farmers from Czechoslovakia. Laddie attended school through the seventh grade before staying home to work on the farm--plowing fields and shucking corn--until enlisting in the United States Air Force at 18.

Stationed in Texas, it was the uniform that caught Mary Johnson's attention one Sunday afternoon at the bus stop outside the drug store. They married on September 27, 1952 and shared 65 beautiful years of marriage. She giggled at (most of) his jokes and he couldn't get enough of her cooking.

A dutiful patriot, Laddie worked as an airplane mechanic and flight engineer for 24 years. He bravely served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars before retiring a Chief Master Sergeant from the United States Air Force in 1969. Settling down in Tulsa, he worked for ten years as an engine and aircraft mechanic for American Airlines. After retirement, Laddie put his servant's heart to good use taking mission trips to Mexico, volunteering at the American Red Cross, Air & Space Museum, and Kerr Elementary School, and serving his church family at Skelly Drive Baptist Church.

It was no secret that one of Laddie's biggest passions in life was health and wellness. He was once quoted: "I wake up each day and thank the Lord I'm healthy." By age 74, Laddie had run in 11 foreign countries, 43 states, and had completed two triathlons and five marathons. Other hobbies included tinkering on air planes, flying, attending air shows across the United States, restoring his 1954 John Deere tractor, traveling the world with this wife, and spending quality time with his grandchildren.

He will be remembered by family and friends for his selfless spirit, goodwill, and giving heart. To know Laddie is to know God's unconditional and unwavering love.

Laddie is preceded in death by his mother, father, and tens siblings: Mildred, Blanche, Georgia, Julie, Elsie, Marie, Joe, Johnny, and Chuck. He is survived by his wife, Mary, son Fred and his wife Kathy, son Tim and his wife Nancy, son Jon and his wife Becky; five grandchildren, Sara and her husband Jason, Tyler, Sydnie and her husband Jamey, Tracy, and Stephanie; four great-grandchildren, Hattie, Lucas, Cooper, and James; and countless nieces, nephews, and friends he considered family.

A viewing is scheduled for Friday, April 6th from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Moore Southlawn Chapel at 9350 East 51st, Tulsa, Oklahoma. The family will greet friends from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. A service celebrating the life of Laddie will be held Saturday, April 7th at 1:00 p.m. at Skelly Drive Baptist Church 8504 E. Skelly Drive, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Laddie will be laid to rest at Memorial Park. Moore's Southlawn 9186632233