Joseph J. Klabzuba, life-long Prague resident and well-known philanthropist, was born on September 21, 1912, in Prague, Oklahoma to Joseph J. and Emma Spevacek Klabzuba. He departed this life peacefully on Thursday, August 12, 2004, at his home in Prague, Oklahoma at the age of 91.

In 1937, he received a BS degree from the University of Oklahoma in Petroleum Geology and co-founded Klabzuba Royalty Company.

He married Leontine Mary Kuban on May 18, 1948 in Prague.

World War II interrupted Joe's oil and gas exploration career. During his service with the United States Army, his battalion saw action in North Africa, Sicily, and ultimately landed on Utah Beach at Normandy on the first day of the D-Day invasion. Joe received the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Bronze Arrowhead. His service to our country ended just southwest of Berlin at which time he returned to Prague.

A tireless supporter of all aspects of the Prague community, Joe served on the City Council, the School Board and was a member of the American Legion, and supported the FFA program, the Prague Senior Citizens Center, and various Prague athletic activities.

Joe was selected Prague's Man of the Year in 1968, headed the Prague Lions Club, was a founder of Prague Builders, supporter of the Prague Main Street Program, and was the recipient of the Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002. Perhaps his greatest passion {second only to OU football and geology} was the Prague Hospital, where as a former President of the Board, he was instrumental in recruiting medical doctors to Prague.

Joe was also a loyal supporter of Prague Boy Scout Troop 485, serving on the Troop Committee and often volunteering to drive boys to summer camps and scouting functions. Joe's grandsons in Edmond continue in the scouting tradition that he began. Joe's love of his community and its people extended beyond Prague to his alma mater, The University of Oklahoma, where along with his brother, Robert, they established the Joe and Robert Klabzuba Chair of Geology.

Until his death, he served as President and Chairman of the Board of Klabzuba Royalty Company. Until recently, Joe could be found at his desk in Prague, studying geological maps, looking for the next place to drill a wildcat well! His generosity was known to all and he always had time to visit with folks about farming, the oil business, our community, etc.

His wife of 48 years, Leontine, preceded Joe in death on May 20, 1996. Four sisters, and one brother also preceded him in death.

Those who knew Joe knew him to truly live his life as Jesus asked. He formally accepted his Christian faith on July 21, 2004, and was baptized at home by Father Adrian Vorderlandwehr. Joe was confirmed and received his first Holy Communion on August 8, 2004.

Survivors include sons and daughters-in law, Robert and Ruth Klabzuba of Edmond; Joe Paul Klabzuba of Prague; John and Georgia Klabzuba of Tulsa; and Jim Klabzuba of Prague; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Doris Klabzuba of Ft. Worth, Texas; sister-in-law, Irene Sykora of Stroud; and grandchildren, Mary, James and Andrew Klabzuba of Edmond.

A Wake service and Rosary will be held at Parks Brothers Funeral Chapel in Prague at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 15, 2004.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, August 16, 2004 at 2:00 p.m., at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Prague with Rev. Adrian Vorderlandwehr, OSB, officiating.

Interment will follow at the Prague Cemetery.

Service is under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Prague.

Family will receive friends at the Klabzuba home in Prague immediately following the services.

A guest book is available to share your memories online. Please visit www.ParksBrothers.net.

Published August 14, 2004.