Individual Details

Death

After a long and fulfilled life, Chester passed away on December 22 at the age of 96. Chester was born on April 17, 1926 in Russellville, AR and grew up in Dover, AR on his family farm. He was the oldest child of Macie and Opal Furr and had 2 younger brothers, Bill and James. He came to Tulsa and attended Central High School. On February 15, 1947 he married Fama Loretta Rainey and they were married for almost 68 years, until her death on February 2, 2015. Chester was a naval veteran that spanned from 1944 to 1970. He served in 3 wars, World War II, Korea and Vietnam. During his time in World War II, he was a navy frogman (underwater demolitions team) on the USS Todd, seeing a lot of action in the Pacific. He and his team were the first to go into Hiroshima after the bombing to survey and report damage. He was circling the USS Missouri providing security for the treaty signing on board when the Japanese surrendered. During the Korean War, he was stationed on the USS Yorktown and the USS Badoeng Strait. At the time of the Cuban Blockade and during his time in the Vietnam war, he was stationed on the USS Algol. During his time in the navy, he also worked in navy recruiting and managed to do some boxing, losing only one match in a decision for a west coast regional championship. After an illustrious career in the navy, he retired in 1970. After his retirement from the navy, he kept working as a truck driver, driving for Bama Pie delivering products across the United States, and he also drove for Belger Cartage, carrying heavy loads across the country. He once carried the heaviest load ever moved in the state of Oklahoma. Chester was a man of many talents and one of his most prized accomplishments would be the construction of the home in Berryhill, where he and his family lived, and he lived until his death. He and his sons, Lionel and Steven (Benny), salvaged 2 homes from the right of way when I-244 was being constructed for the lumber that helped build their home. He enjoyed his time on his property, always out on his tractor to mow the pasture; he enjoyed growing tomatoes and working on different projects that involved his home and family. He was a family man and took pride in in his children and his grandchildren and great grandchildren. There were many family get togethers, gatherings at his house, Christmas Eve parties, and time spent at his daughter, Jeannie, and son in law, Clayton's river house in Tahlequah. Chester was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, his wife, his son Steven (Benny) Furr, and many other relatives, all who are now having their own family reunion. He is survived by his children: son Lionel Furr, daughter in law Susan, daughter Jeannie Furr Douglass, son in law Clayton, his 4 grandchildren: Erica Johnson and husband Eric, Stephanie Furr, Sara Fowler and husband Will, and Matt Furr. Included in the family are his great grandchildren: Perry, Parker and Libby Benedict; Corban, Clayt, Wyatt, Atlea, and Maverick Johnson; Josie and Jax Fowler; Ethan Genoff Furr; and many other family and friends that will forever miss him. Funeral service will be Thursday, January 5 at 1:00 p.m. at Mark Griffith Memorial Funeral Home, Westwood Chapel, 4424 S. 33rd West Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74107, 918-446-0010. Interment at Floral Haven Cemetery, 6500 S. 129th E. Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74012 immediately following the service.