John Fredrick Carletti

Long time Sapulpa resident, John Frederick Carletti, was born in Hartshorne, Oklahoma, on June 15th, 1936 and passed away on February 17th, 2013. He was the sole child of second generation Italian immigrant Fred Carletti and Marguerite Scherer Carletti. John Carletti graduated from Hartshorne High School in 1955. For his undergraduate degree, John attended Northeastern State University, where he played on the Redman football team, and graduated in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry, with minors in math and biology. He married his hometown sweetheart Janice Lynch in 1958. John Carletti received his Doctor of Dental Science (DDS) degree from University of Tennessee in 1963, where he served as Senior Class President. Dr. Carletti moved to Sapulpa in 1964 and started his private practice. He and Janice raised their five children, Cathy, Karen, Nena, Gina, and John Andrew in Sapulpa. Striving for excellence, Dr. John Carletti continually pursued the newest technology in the dental field and expanded his practice from general dentistry to cosmetic dentistry. He always found it personally rewarding to give people a beautiful smile. Because of his dedication to the industry and love of education, John opened Dental Careers of Tulsa, a private school focused on training the next dental assistant work force. To date, the school has launched dental related careers of scores of graduates. But his philanthropy did not stop there. Combining his love for education and his entrepreneur spirit, John and his longtime friend and classmate, Dr. Harold Battenfield, launched the Northeastern State University Distinguished Entrepreneur Lecture Series in 2001. In 2005, he received the NSU Distinguished Alumni Award, and was a proud member of the Nifty-Fifty alumni group. John was an active member of the Sapulpa community for nearly fifty years, serving as a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Sapulpa Main Street, Jaycees, Elks, and Kiwanis. He was a member of the Sapulpa School Board for six years, and served as President of the School Board in 1977; and continued to encourage education and leadership through various programs such as the National Teenager Scholarship, Spirit of America National Honor Band, Presidential Classroom, the Sapulpa Chieftain Booster Club, and the Sapulpa chapter of the Future Farmers of America. Professional memberships included the Oklahoma Dental Association (ODA), American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the Tulsa County Dental Society. Dr. Carletti served as secretary/treasurer of the ODA in 1977. He was currently serving on the Advisory Board at both First United Bank and the Salvation Army. Additionally, he was a longtime supporter of the Salvation Army, donating hundreds of bicycles each year at Christmas in a tradition started by his mother Marguerite Carletti. As a dear family friend aptly related about John, ìSuch a character, such a generous, loving and fun-loving soul who enjoyed all manner of life from poking around inside every one of our mouths to port hopping in the Caribbean, from kicking it in his cow pasture to tuxing it up on the Orient Express. I love how heíd find humor everywhere and in everything, and bring it home bursting with desire to share his stories and create new ones. A spark and sparkle; an instigator, a robust teller of tales and a most adorable, hard-working, spirited goofball.î John Carletti was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Marguerite Carletti. He is survived by his wife Janice Carletti of the home in Sapulpa, Oklahoma; four daughters, Cathy Morgan-DuPriest of Sapulpa, Oklahoma, Karen and Rev. Greg Summers of Sapulpa, Nena and Todd Wadley of Plano, Texas, Gina and Rod Duncan of Lucas, Texas; son, Dr. J. Andrew Carletti, D.D.S. and Amy Carletti of Jenks, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, Amanda Summers-Welch, Danielle Summers, Cole Duncan, Carli Duncan, John F. Carletti II, and Mia Carletti as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm, Saturday, March 2, 2013 at the Salvation Army at 1721 South Hickory Street, Sapulpa, Oklahoma. A Celebration of Life will be held at 5:00 pm at the Burnett Mansion located at 320 South Main Street, Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Friends may share a memory or sign the guest book at www.chapman-black.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Salvation Army, The NSU Foundation-Scholarships, 812 N Cedar Ave., Tahlequah, OK 74464, or the charity of your choice.