John Franklin Bear, of Sapulpa, passed away peacefully on Thursday January 16, 2020 at the age of 86. His
health had slowed him down but never stopped his desire to keep going, even right up to the end.
John was born February 26,1933 in Edna, Oklahoma to Roley and Kitty Bear. He was the fourth of twelve
children to Roley and Kitty. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers (Roosevelt, Bill, Clifford, Roy
and Roley Jr.) and sisters (Mable, Bernice, Opal and Kitty). He is survived by his sister, Judy Kay Dunbar of
Sacramento, California.
John became a long-time resident of Sapulpa met and married the love of his life, Charlotte. For 66 years,
they had lived life together in marriage. John Is survived by his wife Charlotte; 2 daughters, Kay Kelley and
husband Randy of Sapulpa and Janice Lee and husband Dean of Okmulgee; 3 grandchildren, Brandi
Simpson and husband Barry of Sapulpa, Frank Kelley of Sapulpa and Bill Lee and wife Jeni of Sapulpa; 7
great-grandchildren (Dalton, Jersey, Canyon, Riley, Kate, Franklin and Chance) and 1 great-greatgrandchild
(Timber).
As a long-time resident of Sapulpa, John was proud of the fact that he had been a part of the construction
of many businesses, churches and houses in town. He was a carpenter by trade throughout his life.
His lifelong passion was to be outdoors. He enjoyed almost anything that would allow him to be outside
whether it be hunting, fishing, trapping and fiddling around at the farm. Until the end, he was ready to go
do any of those things. Now that he has gone to heaven, he will be forever able to do all the things he
loved to do outdoors. If you had spent any time with John, he would surely have told you some sort of
story or a joke. He always had a smile and would listen to anyone who would do the same.
Serving as pallbearers are Andy Bear, Charlie Johnson, David Neeley, Frank Welch, Jay Southard and
Tommy Johnson, Jr. Honorary pallbearers are Brandon Bear and Darron Wilson.
The family would like to invite you to join in his life story.
There will be a wake service on Wednesday January 22, 2020 starting at 6 pm at Smith’s funeral home located at 1208 S. Main St in Sapulpa.
There will be a visitation and light meal served after the evening service at the Sapulpa Senior Center, which is located at 515 E. Dewey Ave in Sapulpa.
On Thursday January 23”’ at 11am, we will be serving a lunch at the Kiefer Community Center located at 4800 W. 1st Street South in Kiefer. Funeral service will begin at 2pm at Smith’s funeral home. The graveside procession will be at the Oakwood Cemetery in Mounds, Oklahoma
located at 1915 McNabb Drive.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Smith Funeral Home 1208 South Main in Sapulpa.
