Joe F Brickell
Jan 20,1926 - Aug 1, 2015
Posted by Martha Reddout
 

Joe F. Brickell was born in Elk City, Oklahoma, on January 20, 1926 to Frank and Frances Brickell and passed away August 1, 2015 in Oklahoma City.

Shortly after Joe was born the family moved to Herington, Kansas, where he graduated high school. He served in the Army Air Corp during WWII and earned the Victory Medal as an airplane engine mechanic. Joe received an Associate Degree in refrigeration at Kansas State University, where he met Virginia Ann Reist. They danced and fell in love. They married on August 3, 1947. Joe and Virginia moved to Sayre in 1953 so Joe could help his father with the Brickell Ice and Locker Company. Joe then became the proprietor of that business in 1959. His business kept the people of Sayre cool during the summer, kept ranchers well fed on their own good beef and pork, and employed over a dozen people. He ran this successful business until he decided to retire from it in 1990. He then was the accounting manager and a cashier at Simon’s truck stop for several years.

Joe played a key role in the Sayre community and Methodist Church for more than 50 years. Joe was on the Sayre United Methodist Church Board of Trustees and also the district Board of Missions. He was a member of the Sayre Lions Club and the American Legion. He ran the audio cable broadcast of the Sunday morning Methodist church service for over 20 years, bringing the audio of the church service to people who could not attend in person. He was the Sayre Band Booster president for 9 years, starting when his eldest, Barbara, was in junior high, and not stopping until after his youngest, Ernest, had graduated from high school. One year, he helped his son, Brad and fellow scout, Chuck Bacon, put up a large Advent wreath high on the front of the Sayre Methodist Church as an Eagle Scout project. They did it for several years until the boys left for college. Joe then continued this tradition thereafter. He volunteered to be the junior high Sunday School teacher, and did that for many years. One day he noticed that the church grass and gardens needed some TLC. Joe and his lawn mower became a regular weekly sight at the Church for 20+ years. Joe was on the board for the Sayre Housing Authority which provided low income housing. Joe was Assistant Boy Scout Master and organized many recognition events and the Cub Scout Pine Wood Derby. He took dozens of Boy Scouts on weekend campouts. He helped obtain additional facilities for Boy Scout troop 155. He was frequently involved in raising money for the Boy Scouts and band.

Joe is survived by his wife Virginia who lives in Oklahoma City, daughter Barbara, a psychiatrist in Oklahoma City, son Brad, a lawyer in Norman, and son Ernest, a cryptologist in Hillsboro, Oregon, along with 6 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Frances Brickell, and his sister, Betty Sue Eastridge. Joe was well loved by his family and community and will be fondly remembered.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Sayre United Methodist Church or to the Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 1:00 P.M. at the First United Methodist Church in Sayre. Burial will be at Sayre-Doxey Cemetery under the direction of Rose Chapel Funeral Service. Condolences can be made online at www.whineryfs.com.