Charles Linberg Findley

Charles F. Findley was born on September 29, 1929 at home in rural Pawnee County, in the Bear Creek area, near Cleveland, Oklahoma. He was the son of Elzie M. and Beulah R. (Chambers) Findley. Charles was raised on a family farm near Bear Creek and attended school in Cleveland, graduating from Cleveland High School in 1948. Shortly after graduation, Charles enlisted into the service of his country in the United States Navy and was inducted on August 7, 1948 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Upon completion of Boot Camp at the United States Naval Training Center in San Diego, Charles attended "A" School for training as a Machinery Repairman for twelve weeks. Machinery Repairman (MRs) are skilled machine tool operators. They make replacement parts and repair or overhaul ship's engines and auxiliary equipment. They also work or deck equipment including wenches and hoists, condensers and heat exchange devices. MRs occasionally operate main propulsion and auxiliary machinery in addition to performing machine shop and repair duties. Upon completion of his training, Charles was assigned to USS Orion (AS18), a submarine tender that was assigned to the Panama Canal Zone when Charles first arrived and then later located to Norfolk, Virginia where Charles was honorably discharged on February 2, 1950. Charles was married to the love of his life, Helen Dorothy Rigsby while on leave from the Navy on December 22, 1948. After returning from the service the couple made their initial home in Keystone on the family farm. They later moved to Oregon where Charles gained employment in the logging industry. While living in Oregon there were five children brought into this world: Charles, Jr., Georgia, Roger and Leann and Carl. In 1962, Dorothy and Charles returned to Keystone where they continued to reside throughout their marriage. After returning to the Cleveland area Charles accepted a job as a truck driver hauling oil for Osage Oil and Transport for nearly four years. He then was hired by CE NATCO in 1966 manufacturing oil field equipment and tank products. Charles took early retirement in 1983 at the age of 54, however his determination to continue to work and provide for his family gained him positions at Oral Roberts University in the shipping and receiving department and mail room for a time. He then began working for the United States Army Corp of Engineers mowing Oklahoma State Lakes and Parks throughout the state. At the time of his death Charles was working for a non-profit company as a warehouse man for the past fifteen years. Charles was a caring, giving and gentle Christian man who was extremely thoughtful and an excellent provider for this wife and family. He assisted in the construction of three churches in the area including the Oakhill Church on Keystone Lake, the Lake Area Freewill Baptist Church, and the Assembly of God Church in Wynona. He actually donated the land where the Lake Area Freewill Baptist Church in located at the intersection of Highways 64 and 48, south of Cleveland. Charles and Dorothy would often reminisce about is the five times that they served as ushers for the Benny Hinn Crusade and anointing conferences. Most of all Dorothy and Charles cherished the time that they spent with family that they loved dearly. Dorothy preceded Charles in death on March 10, 2008. Charles was also an avid rock hound. He spent countless hours searching for rocks and gem, cutting and polishing them and had quite an extensive collection. He also enjoyed carpentry. Charles went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Monday, December 23, 2013 at the Gardens in Sapulpa with his family by his side at the age of eighty four. Charles is survived by his children which they called Dad or Daddy, a daughter Georgia Wheeler and her husband Ray of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, a son Roger and his wife Vicky Findley of Cleveland, Oklahoma, a daughter Leann Merchant and her husband Craig of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, and a son, Carl Fitzsimmons of Gresham, Oregon ; a daughter-in-law, LouAnn Findley of Cleveland, Oklahoma; twelve grandchildren which called him Grandpa or G-PA, Jeff Wheeler, Keith Wheeler, Lenett Wheeler, Jenny Findley, Kalen Findley, Melissa Brown, Michelle Blatchford, Sherman Merchant, Greg Calzada, Lore Plummer, Marissa Staten, Rhiannon Smith; seventeen great-grandchildren; two brothers, Lester Don and Betty Findley of Humble, Texas and E. G. and Glenda Findley of Cleveland, Oklahoma; two sisters, Freida and her husband Dick Hughes of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Emma Lou and husband Buddy Burtrum of Tulsa, Oklahoma three sisters-in-laws, Tryphene Leverett of Cleveland, Judy Rigsby of Tulsa and Betty Rigsby of Owasso. In addition to his wife, Dorothy he was preceded in death by his parents, Elzie M. and Beulah R. Findley; a son, Charlie Findley and a granddaughter, Amber. Funeral sServices will be held 10:00 AM Saturday, December 28, 2013 at the Victory Assembly of God Church in Sand Springs with Rev. Kenn Watson and Rev. Harrel Jones officiating. Burial will be at the Sinnett Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.