W. Earl Mead

W. Earl Mead, Jr. 88 years old, laid down his working tools of life June 18, 2015, joining his Heavenly Father, in that house not made with hands eternal in the Heavens. Earl was born in Stoutland Missouri July 1, 1926 to Wm. E. Mead and Edith I. Mead. He moved with his family to Oklahoma in 1927, grew up in the Tulsa area and attended Tulsa Public Schools. Earl dropped out of Central High School in December of 1943 to join the U.S. Navy.

He served aboard the U.S.S. Custer APA 40, an amphibious attack transport in the South Pacific. Earl was a coxswain of a landing craft and participated in five invasions. Earl came home on leave in March and married his high school sweetheart Patsy Turney on June 7, 1945. He and Patsy had one son William Earl Mead, III.

He joined Safeway in 1946 until 1954 when he joined the Hale-Halsell Company. Earl developed and served as President of Git-N-Go Stores from 1959 to 1993. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Hale-Halsell Company and Git-N-Go, Inc. He served on the Board of the Magic Empire Grocers Association, was a member of the Advisory Board of the Tulsa Area United Way, served on the National Association of Convenience Stores advisory board, and served on the Board of Reaching Hands, Inc. Earl was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Tulsa, serving as an usher for 38 years.

Earl served as Worshipful Master of Rock Masonic Lodge in 1965. He was a 32nd degree York Rite Mason and a 33rd degree Mason in the Tulsa Scottish Rite. Earl was also a member of the McAlister Valley Scottish Rite. He served as a member of the Inspector General's Advisory Conference and he was a member of the Red Cross of Constantine.

Earl is survived by his wife Patsy; his son Dr. Bill Mead and wife Gwen; his grandchildren: Rev. Heather Rogero and her husband Dr. Walter Rogero; great grandchildren: Anna, Mary Beth, and Noble Rogero; and a host of family and friends.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Christopher W. Teel of Schaudt-Teel Funeral Service at Memorial Park, 5757 S. Memorial Drive in Tulsa. Visitation is scheduled for 6:00-8:00 PM at the funeral home. A memorial ceremony is scheduled for 2:00 PM Tuesday in the sanctuary at First Baptist Church, 403 S. Cincinnati in downtown Tulsa. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to Bridge to Healing Foundation, 18037 S. E. Heritage Tequesta, FL 33469, designated for Noble Rogero www.bridgetohealinginc.com.