Patty Jeanne Stewart passed away peacefully November 24, 2018. Born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, to James Howard and Cynthia Esther Bray on May 2, 1937, Patty graduated from Sapulpa High School in 1955, then married Kenneth W. Neal in 1956. Patty and Ken raised three children in Sapulpa, and she was an integral part of their home building business, Neal Construction Company.
Patty worked for Bauer & Associates and Coury Properties in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as a commercial property manager, as well a residential real estate agent in both Oklahoma and Arkansas.
Patty met and fell in love with her second husband, James Stewart, owner of Jim’s Electric, and the electrician she relied upon to maintain the properties she managed. Patty and Jim married in 1999 and made their home in Wagoner, Oklahoma. During their years in Wagoner, Patty worked tirelessly as the Executive Director of the Ft. Gibson Lake Association until her retirement in 2018. Local business leaders found it hard to say no to Patty’s requests for financial support of fishing tournaments, pancake breakfasts, and other activities promoting tourism in Wagoner and Ft. Gibson Lake. She was instrumental in bringing the first QuikTrip to Wagoner, fighting for nearly five years to facilitate the construction of the QuikTrip store on land owned by Ft. Gibson Lake Association. Her countless efforts to improve Wagoner for its residents resulted in Wagoner’s Mayor proclaiming September 22, 2016, as Patty Stewart Day. The lovely gazebo at the Ft. Gibson Lake Association Tourism Center is named in her honor.
A creative and talented person, Patty was a beautiful pianist, honing her skills playing for church services at the Sapulpa Church of God, and at the Wagoner First United Methodist Church later in her life. All who heard her play appreciated the beautiful artistry her playing brought to church services. As part of Neal Construction Co., Patty discovered her flair for interior design as she and Ken built homes in Sapulpa in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Her designs were always original, yet above all, always warm and welcoming reflecting her personality. Patty would later assist many others in decorating their homes when she worked at Calico Corners in Tulsa in the 2000’s.
Anyone who knew Patty knew she loved Oklahoma Sooner and Dallas Cowboys football, and was a fan to the very end. During football season, her television was always tuned to a football game. Patty was also an avid reader who loved her book club at Inverness Retirement Community. She doted on her animals throughout her life, always rescuing stray dogs and cats. She is survived by her dog, Phoebe and her cat, Joey.
Patty was incredibly proud of her family and loved being part of the “Patty Family” clan of Sapulpa. She had many happy memories of her parents and growing up in Sapulpa with her grandparents, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins nearby. Patty’s parents, Howard and Esther Bray, and her sister, Betsy Bray Haddock, predeceased her. She is survived by her husband, James Stewart of Tulsa, as well as her daughters, son, and step-daughter: Kathy R. Neal and husband, Rob Johnston of Tulsa; Julia N. Danklef and husband, Tim of Dallas; Patrick W. Neal and wife, Diane of The Woodlands, TX; and Shannon Stewart Choate and husband, Dennis of Oologah. Patty had seven grandchildren and one step-grandchild who loved their grandmother: Abby Johnston (Tulsa); Neal Johnston (Nashville); Madalene Danklef (attending the University of Virginia); Amelia Danklef (attending the University of Georgia); John Neal; Catherine Neal; Patrick J. Neal (The Woodlands, TX); and Ricky Altizer (Tulsa). The family would like to thank the employees of Miller Hospice and the employees of Inverness Retirement Community who cared for Patty with kindness during her final illness.
The family will hold a service to celebrate Patty’s life on Saturday, December 22, 2018, at 1:00 p.m., in the Chapel at Harvard Avenue Christian Church, 5502 S. Harvard Ave., Tulsa. Continuing her life-long pattern of service, Patty donated her body to the United Tissue Network. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Ft. Gibson Lake Association, 300 S. Dewey Ave., Wagoner, OK 74447; telephone (918) 485-4623.
