Joe Merle Telford, life-long Chandler, Oklahoma, resident was born on April 3, 1945, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and departed this life on September 19, 2014, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the age of 69 years.

Joe was the son of Merle and Vera Taylor Telford.

He married Jana Williams on December 27, 1969, in Chandler.

Joe graduated Chandler High School in 1963. He attended UCO, and graduated in 1968, with a Bachelors Degree in Education, that same year he started his career with Chandler Public Schools. Joe held many positions over the 45 plus years, Teacher, Coach, Principal, Athletic Director and Mentor. He was a two time State Champion Track Coach, All-State Golf Coach, Chandler Teacher of the Year, Chandler Alumni Association Co-Alumnus of the Year and long-time member of Chandler Southern Baptist Church.

Joe was preceded in death by one nephew, Tyler Michael Telford.

Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Jana of the home: one son and daughter-in-law, Jay and Candi Telford of Chandler; one daughter, Jamee Telford of Washington, D.C.; parents, Merle and Vera Telford of Chandler; one brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Pam Telford of Chandler; three grandchildren, Joel, Cameron and Jade; one niece, Taylor Telford of Chandler; other relatives and many friends.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to: Colon Cancer Alliance, 1025 Vermont Ave. NW Suite 1066, Washington, DC 20005. www.ccalliance.org/donate.

The Telford family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 23, 2014, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Parks Brothers Funeral Home in Chandler.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 24, 2014, at the First Baptist Church in Chandler, Oklahoma, with Pastor Keith Cole and Rev. Keith Henley officiating.

Burial will follow at Oak Park Cemetery in Chandler.

Services are under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Chandler.