Individual Details

Death

Edward Howard Kell, known as “Ed” to friends and “Grandpappy” to his grandkids, passed from this earth on March 3, 2021 in Tulsa at the age of 89. He had been in declining health the past year. He leaves behind a family who adores him and a host of loving friends. Edward was born near Blanchard, Oklahoma to Joseph and Eva Kell on October 27, 1931. His family moved to the Friend community near Chickasha, Oklahoma during his childhood. He attended and graduated from Friend School where he developed his love of sports, especially basketball, and met his first wife Melba. He spent most of his working life as a truck driver and inspired his six children and ten grandchildren with his work ethic. He worked hard, but he also played hard—camping and fishing with his kids and grandkids, cruising around the Caribbean and Europe, watching his beloved OU Sooners, and never turning down a chance at a game of volleyball or basketball or telling a funny story. He retired from trucking when he was in his late 70s, living out most of his retirement in Catoosa, Oklahoma after his second wife Jo passed away. In his retirement years, he spent his weekdays playing dominoes at the senior citizens center and his weekends dancing with his favorite dance partner Pat. He is preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Eva Kell; five siblings—Norma, Evelyn, Leatrice, Gloria, and Arthur—and his wife of almost 50 years Jo, who passed away exactly eleven years ago on the same date. He is survived by his children—Sareca and spouse Jay Wilson, Eddie Kell, Sharlene Kell and spouse Anna Campion, Terri and spouse Ronnie Furr, Melanie and spouse Todd Files, and Sarah and spouse Stephen Bishop. He is also survived by grandchildren—Evan Wedel, Laura Guthrie, Cristi Laird, Melissa Gonzalez, Angela Skinner, Jake Bullard, Zoe Bishop, John Bullard, Seth Bishop and Audrey Files, as well as many great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 7, 2021 at Floral Haven Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 8, 2021 at Floral Haven’s Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Steven Bishop officiating. Burial will follow at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens. ***Services will be live streamed starting at 9:55 a.m. To view the service live, please click on the following link: webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/49593 ***Masks are required if you plan to attend the service in person. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Catoosa Rolling Hills Senior Center, where he served as Advisory Board President.