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© Brown's Durant Funeral and Cremation Service
Submitted by: T.D.
Charles Edward Sullivan of Mead, OK passed away Tuesday, October 17, 2017 in Dallas, TX at the age of 88. He was born on September 12, 1929 in Bokchito, OK to Burley Sullivan and Eltha Paralee (Baber) Sullivan.
He married Lois Neely (Sammons) Sullivan on November of 1968 in Clear Lake City, TX. He attended Yukon High School and lettered in football for 3 years at Southeastern Oklahoma State University where he received a bachelor’s degree. After college, Charles eventually met all the necessary requirements to become an engineer, even though his degree was in Physics. He found it humorous that there was additional requirements since the Physics degree had more difficult classes. When he went to work for Boeing at the Strategic Air Command Center near Wichita, Kansas and in future endeavors in his career with Boeing he received extensive training for SAC as well as the manned space program for NASA. He became an engineer at Boeing and assisted in the design of the Gatling Gun and the B52H airplane in the strategic air command program in Kansas.
Later, he began his long term journey at NASA as an engineer and nuclear physicist. During his time there, he traveled to their many locations throughout the nation and eventually worked at the Manned Space Craft Center for NASA for the Apollo program in Clear Lake, Texas, beginning in 1966. It culminated in his managing Boeing’s involvement in the Apollo program. He then retired from NASA and became a land developer and Engineer, selling property in Oklahoma, and his engineering specializing in water system big and small, as well as designing large to small lake dams.
A man of many talents does not even begin to explain Charles. At the age of 16, he joined the United States Navy and served our country for 4 years in World War II and the Korean War on the Destroyer, USS John W. Thomason. He was honorably discharged in 1953. He then coached high school football in Duncan, Oklahoma. He also played minor league baseball in San Diego as well as semi pro fast pitch, and slow pitch softball. He played against the famed King and his Court Softball phenom pitcher Eddie Feigner. He also was one win away from being the fleet champion boxer which he took on as a dare.
Whenever he had spare time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and flying private airplanes. He was especially proud of his Cessna 195 Trail Dragger and served as a member of the Elks Lodge #1963 in Durant. Charles was also a sports fan, and loved as well as hated his beloved Dallas Cowboys. He rooted for the Longhorns as well since both his children graduated from UT Austin in the mid 1970’s.
He is preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Carol Dean (Ridenhour) Sullivan; brothers, Billy D. Sullivan, Howard Sullivan, Robert Sullivan, and Joe Sullivan, and nephew, Joseph Sullivan.
Survivors include his loving wife Lois Sullivan; son Charlie Sullivan and wife Ann of Canyon Lake, TX; daughter, Janis Davis of Austin, TX; grandchildren Justin Davis and wife Irisa of Austin, TX, Cristin Dugan and husband Michael of Medford, OR, Kevin Sullivan and Matea Sipes of Canyon Lake, TX; their great-grandchildren, Landry Sullivan, Cambry Sullivan, Tinsley Sullivan, Jolea Dugan; brother John Sullivan and wife Lynne; sister, Barbara Ann Sullivan and 11 nieces and nephews, along with many other extended family members and dear friends.
Services will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, October 21, 2017 at Brown’s Funeral Service Chapel in Durant. Interment will follow in Bokchito Cemetery with son Charlie Sullivan, grandson Kevin Sullivan, grandson Justin Davis, brother, John Sullivan, friend Mark Trekle, and nephew Bradley Sullivan serving as pallbearers. The family will accept friends and family Friday evening from 7-9 P.M. at the funeral home.
A reception and celebration of life including food and beverages will be held at the Elks Lodge #1963 located on US Hwy 70 and Gates Avenue in Durant. It will begin at 3:30 as well as he wanted people to make their own choices when it came to funeral services.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Charles Edward Sullivan please visit our Sympathy Store.
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