Stephen Edward Woolsey's Obituary
Stephen Woolsey Obituary
A funeral celebrating the life of Stephen Edward Woolsey will be held 10 AM Thursday, August 25, 2022 in the Rivercrest Chapel, 13329 S. Memorial Drive in Bixby. Interment will follow in the Wewoka Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6-8 PM, Wednesday, also at Rivercrest.
On March 21, 1943 in Oklahoma City, Stephen Woolsey was the only son of five children born to Ervil Dwight and Mary (Creach) Woolsey. As a young man, Steve’s family settled in Tulsa where he attended Union Public Schools, Patrick Henry Elementary, and graduated from Edison High School in 1962. Steve attended the Oklahoma Military Academy during his sophomore and junior years.
The Woolsey children spent most of their childhoods raising Shetland ponies at the Sheridan Pony Farm, located at 4510 S. Sheridan Road. A rural setting at the time, Steve rode horses all over the area which is now known to be South Tulsa. They had terrific parents who were all about family! A “momma’s boy” at heart, Steve absolutely adored everything about his mother. Throughout high school, Steve thrived on riding motorcycles on the flat track and with much success, relentlessly chasing pretty girls! Upon his return to Edison High, Steve rolled in style with his ’57 Chevy. Everyone knew that Seve was all about appearances. His clothing had to have a “Renberg’s” tag in the collar, even if it was merely sewn-in!
Steve attended Northeastern State University in Tahlequah where good times continued to follow him. He would enlist in the Air Force National Guard where he spent most of his drill time in Texas. Steve met his first wife, Carol, while showing horses in Estes Park, Colorado. She gave birth to Steve’s first daughter, Christa in 1973. It was during this time that Steve served as a firefighter for the Jenks Fire Department. The next chapter involved his marriage to Tina Rogers, who gave birth to Steve’s youngest daughter, Susan. Steve and Tina continued to torment one another for the rest of their lives.
Professionally, Steve served as the head of the M & L Water Department in Morris, Oklahoma. Upon his departure from the water department, Steve moved back to midtown Tulsa where he established a residential painting business, Steve Woolsey Painting. He also found prosperity restoring and reselling Triumph motorcycles, as well as antique Ford and Chevrolet automobiles.
Steve began traveling to Mexico regularly for leisure throughout the 90’s. It was there he would continue his reputation as a “lady’s man” south of the border. Steve also enjoyed swing dancing and two stepping. Always striving to have a good time and cause trouble, Steve’s colorful life will not soon be forgotten by a host of family and friends who will undoubtedly cherish his memory.
Surviving family include his two daughters, Christa Kelly and Susan VanZandt (Matt Snyder); his grandchildren: Anthony, Kelsey, Kerry, and Tori Powell; and Brock Vanzandt; his great-grandchildren, Easton, Tinlee, Rhett, Damian, and Harley; and his sisters, Sue Simpson (Barry), Patty Frakes (Alan), Joannie Sibole (Terry Mantooth), and Barbara Woolsey.
Stephen Edward Woolsey passed away Saturday evening, August 20, 2022 in Tulsa. He was 79 years old.
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