Pottawatomie County Obituary
Resthaven Memorial Park

© Shawnee News-Star
Date unknown
Reprinted with permission
Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

JEFF DAVID POTTER

27 Mar 1927 - 23 Nov 2017

Jeff David Potter, 90 years old, of Shawnee passed away on Nov. 23 2017.

He was born in Wewoka, Oklahoma, on March 27, 1927, to Robert and Charlsia Potter. He was the last of eight children born to the Potters Jeff grew up in Wewoka with his mother. He helped her around the house and would walk with her to church.

In 1944, Jeff joined the United States Navy. He worked on the troop transport ship USS Pickens in the Pacific. During the battle of Iwo Jima, from the deck of his ship, he saw the famous raised American flag. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, American Area Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Area Medal, and Philippine Liberation Medal. He received an honorable discharge from the Navy in 1948.

On May 28, 1949, Jeff married Edith Chaffin. They lived in Wewoka until he was sent to Louisiana as part of the Army National Guard. During the Korean War, he was stationed in Japan. He returned home in October 1951.

Beginning in 1952, Jeff worked for Mobile Oil Company. His work with Mobile took him to different places in Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. In 1963, Jeff and his family returned to Oklahoma. Jeff and his wife owned and operated the Rock Creek Grocery Store.

During this time and after, he also worked for Skelly Oil and Cities Service. Jeff and Edith operated Potter Real Estate in Shawnee in the late 1960s. In about 1971, Jeff began a career as a long haul truck driver.

He worked for Lee Way trucking company at the time of his retirement in 1983.

Jeff had many hobbies and interests. His biggest enjoyment was being with his family. He made many memories taking vacations with his children, and then later, his grandchildren. He loved music. He took part in community theater, performing in the musical "South Pacific." Jeff enjoyed singing in church or just around the house. He was always quick to sing a tune that came to his mind. He also liked watching old movies, football, and the "Lawrence Welk Show." During his retirement, his main hobby was wood working. He crafted many beautiful pieces of furniture for his family.

He had a natural curiosity of all things electronic, such as his computer or his iPhone. Every morning he would drink coffee at Carl's Jr. restaurant. He and his "coffee drinking buddies" would swap jokes and solve the world's problems. Jeff was also a member of the First Baptist Church of Shawnee.

Jeff is preceded in death by his father and mother, his brothers and sisters (Donna, Johnny "Buck," Catherine, Herman, Sherman, Clarence, and Cora "Cokey"), sonin-law Rick Goode, granddaughter Ashley Fendley, and great-grandson Blake Shepard.

He is survived by his wife Edith. They were married 68 years, 5 months, and 26 days. He is also survived by his daughter Brenda Warden and husband Don of Tecumseh, daughter Marsha Mauldin and husband Mike of Owasso, son David Potter and wife Jaclyn of Denton, Texas, and daughter Susan Fendley and husband Terry of Edmond. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

The family will greet guests at Walker Funeral Home in Shawnee from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 26.

A funeral service for Jeff will be at Walker Funeral Home on Monday, Nov. 27, at 10:00 a.m. with Barry Mauldin and Mike Massey officiating. He will be buried at Resthaven Cemetery in Shawnee.

Walker Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.