In Memory of

Theo

L.

Petete

Obituary for Theo L. Petete

Vondel Smith Mortuary South Lakes


Graveside service held Monday, September 4, 2017 at 2:00 PM in the Holdenville Cemetery Chapel. Services will be conducted by Bill Robinson. Burial will be in the Holdenville Cemetery with Military honors.


Viewing at the funeral home held from 4-8PM on Saturday and 12-8PM on Sunday with the family present to greet guest on Sunday from 1-3PM at the funeral home.


Theo, 86, received his Heavenly reward on Aug 31, 2017. The youngest son of Emit Leroy and Edna Martha (Cain) Petete, Theo was born June 22, 1931 in Holdenville, OK. After high school, Theo honorably served his country in the US Air Force from which he retired after 23 years. Theo continued his service to this country as an auditor for the Federal Reserve Bank. He married the love of his life, Wanda Louise Brumley on June 21, 1953, and together shared more than 64 years of marriage raising their children, James and Patricia, and enjoying time with his only grandson, Kyle.

While serving in the Air Force he was stationed at several locations, including Tinker AFB, the CINCPAC Fleet Headquarters, also known as Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet Headquarters in Hawaii, the Joint Chiefs of Staff Headquarters Command at the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and on “a hill top” in Turkey. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and retired in 1975 at the rank of Master Sergeant.

Theo then joined the Federal Reserve Bank in Okla. City, and worked his way up from a security guard to the lead auditor before retiring. His retirement days were spent on the golf course, as a volunteer and avid golfer, helping friends and family, and just “talking to folks”.

Theo’s life was centered on serving others, and tending to those in need. He was a loving husband, devoted father, doting grandfather who was known for his compassion and selflessness, and will be deeply missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 7 siblings: Hugh, Horace, Harold, Spencer, Leon, Glendia and Lucille.

He is survived by his wife of the home, son, James Petete; daughter, Patricia Petete; grandson, Kyle James Petete; brother-in-law, J.C. Collis; first cousin, Mary Evelyn Wilson; numerous nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews as well as a host of other family and friends.

Pall bearers will be Leon Petete, Richard Petete, Scott Petete, Thomas Mackey, Jeremy Cox, Kyle Keller, Jason Keller and Donnie Neer. Honorary Pallbearers will be James Petete, Kyle Petete, Lloyd Petete, Steve Petete, Jeff Keller and David Mackey.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, American Cancer Society, or the March of Dimes.