Joseph Robert Okonek, 79, of Wichita Falls, passed peacefully into the arms of his Heavenly Father on the evening of April

18,2023 in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Joe was born April 7, 1944 in Cleveland, Ohio to Joseph Clarence Okonek and Geraldine Benson Okonek. Joe grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. After attending John Adams High School in 1963,he joined the United States Navy, shipped out to Vietnam as a crewman on the USS Tanner and then served on the USS Glacier. He loved Cleveland, the Browns and Ohio State University.

Joe saw a good hunk of the world while serving in the Navy. He recalled Christchurch, New Zealand as being his favorite post and Boston, MA in the US. However, it was a meeting in Honolulu that changed his life. Joe met the love of his life, Carmen Louise (Carla) Spalding in Hawaii in 1967. They were married in her hometown of Dallas, Texas on February 10, 1968 at St. Monica's Catholic Church and then celebrated a second reception in Cleveland,Ohio.

Joe was a faithful Catholic. He and Carla attended services regularly as long as Joe was able to, and loved the Lord and the Church. In his earlier years, Joe was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Joe served his country in the US Navy and his communities through his work at the Penn Central Railroad Police Department form 1967-1970, the East Cleveland Ohio Police Department 1970-1973, the Richardson Texas Police Department 1972-1983 as an officer and private detective, and the Richardson ISD Police Department from 1983-1993. He also provided security services through a number of private companies over the years for Wackenhut in Dallas, Irvine, California and Detroit, Michigan from 1993-2008.

Joe served his family by providing a stable and faith filled home for Carla and each of their children. He was his childrens' biggest fan. He and Carla never missed a game or activity. Joe raised his children to love God, family, country, the community and their neighbors. He set a great example and had high expectations for his kids but always with a gleam of a joke or wisecrack in his eye, along with corny "Dad" jokes. The Okonek house and their dinner table was a revolving door for their kids and their friends. Joe and Carla lived, their motto "the more the merrier" at gatherings and celebrations including Sunday night family dinners. Joe loved his family above all else.

Joe's most prized title of "Poppy" outranked all the other professional titles in his life and was awarded this on June 7, 1998 with the birth of his first grandchild, Lindsay Grace Okonek. Followed by James E. Brady, Emma E. Brady, Jordyn D. Vascellero, Zane Joseph Garrison, Joseph Jerome Vascellero, Colt J. Garrison and Grant M. Garrison. He took great joy in joking with them, "honking", teaching them history lessons, watching the history channel, taking naps, snow ball fights, pranks, providing parent unapproved candy, kolache and donut trips, watching them play sports, watching golf together, listening to Polka music, Polish and Hungarian food, tending his garden, trips to the beach, Christmas time, Easter egg hunts or sitting with his cup of coffee and just watching them play, and so much more. Their grandkids truly are the joy of his life and Carla's life.

After moving back to Texas, from Michigan in 2008, Joe and Carla made Wichita Falls, Texas the epicenter of the family. Joe spent the last 6 years of his life at the Oklahoma Veterans Home in Lawton, OK. Carla and the family are eternally grateful for the care our country provided Joe in his last years and being his second family, especially during the trying times of 2020-2021. A special and heart felt thanks goes to Christy Red Oak, Heather Hill, Simone Guthrie, Dr. Prodan, Monica Ruiz-Esperza, Tosha Blue, Crystal King, Michael Holloway, Amanda McCabe, Elizabeth Berger, Marilyn Woods, Patti Green, Idella Gifford at the Lawton Ft Sill VA Center and Home for their loving and dutiful care for our father and all United States Veterans.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Geraldine M Benson Okonek, his cousin and best friend, Bruce Benson, his sister Mary Jane Okonek Neff, his beloved aunts and uncles, Barnie and Annie Ziegler and Victor and Alice Okonek and his best man and cousin David Okonek.

Joe is survived by his wife Carla Okonek; his children Jospeh James Okonek of Dallas and his partner Stephanie, Nicolle D Okonek Brady (Dani) and her husband Zach Brady of Lubbock, Marysa Okonek Garrison and her husband Paul Garrison of Wichita Falls, and Melinda Okonek Vascellero and her husband Jerome Vascellero of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is also survived by his 8 grandchildren who each loved and adored their "Poppy".

Joe is also survived by his devoted sister and life long best friend, Geraldine Okonek Lantos of Reminderville, Ohio, his niece Michelle Lantos Williams and family of Aurora, Ohio. His sister and Brother-in-laws, Nicki and Steve Hodge of Anna, Texas and James and Kathy Spalding of Plano, Texas, his cousins and close friends, Doug and Benadine Okonek - their children, Melanie and Steve Spicer and Vicki and Marcus Steinberg; Phillip and Gayle Okonek, Mrs. Marie Okonek and family , Bobby and Debbie Ziegler and their sons, Kevin, Eric, Joey and Jonathon and families, Judy Benson and family of Temple City, CA and a host of friends and family from Dallas to Cleveland.

The family will hold a vigil service and welcome visitors on Monday, April 24th,2023 at 5:30 PM at Becker -Rabon, 1502 Fort Sill Blvd.,Lawton,Ok 73507.

A burial is planned for Tuesday, April 25,2023 at 1:00 PM in Lawton, Oklahoma at the Ft. Sill National Military Cemetery. A Funeral

Mass is planned for April 25,2023 at 11:30 AM at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Lawton, Oklahoma and burial to follow at 1:00 PM in Lawton, Oklahoma at the Ft. Sill National Military Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Joseph R Okonek to his favorite charities - Catholic Charities of Wichita Falls, Texas or St. Judes Children Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.