Joe Charles Mooney, of Porum, Oklahoma, passed away in his home Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at the age of 75, surrounded by his family, after battling cancer.

He was the third of four children born to William Bert and Bonnie Annabelle (Bryan) Mooney on June 8, 1934 in Younger Bend, near Porum, Oklahoma.

He graduated from Porum High School in 1952 and joined the United States Navy in December of 1954. On leave in 1955 he married Evelyn Allene Wood of Keota on November 19th at Stigler, Oklahoma. This union remained for just 2 hours short of 54 years producing three sons, Chuck, Wayne, and Mike, and one daughter, Donna.

In his naval career Joe was first stationed at COMOCEANSYSLANT at Norfolk, Virginia locating and tracking submarines during the cold war, he also was part of the Project Mercury Recovery Team during the Allen Shepard flight of May 5, 1961, the first American Astronaut in space. He then was stationed with the Hurricane Hunters of the Naval Air Station in San Juan, Puerto Rico until January 22, 1964, when he returned to his family in Porum.

After a few years working for Muskogee County he began his career in July 1969 at the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Division One until his retirement as centerline foreman. He spent his retirement in Porum with his wife, kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, to whom he was their most beloved “Papa Joe”, along with his coffee drinking buddies and Highway Department workers who kept in contact with him throughout the years. He loved sitting on his porch and watching the sunrise, lighting up his house for Christmas, his birds, Bass Pro Shop, fishing, and taking care of his lawn.

Joe is survived by his wife, Evelyn, of the home, three sons, Charles Don Mooney, David Wayne Mooney, and Michael Wayne Mooney of Porum, and one daughter, LaDonna Lynn and husband, Jeff Girty of Porum.

He leaves six grandchildren, Caitlin Stinnett and Brenna Stinnett of Porum, Sarah (Mooney) and husband, Rusty Girty of Porum, Bradley Mooney of Stigler, Jeff Mooney of Stigler, Jennifer (Mooney) and husband, Jon Farrar of Warner and four great-grandchildren, Simon Girty of Porum, Elizabeth Mooney and Samuel Mooney of Porum, and Jack Farrar of Warner. Joe also leaves behind one sister, Alma Ruth Davis of Bentonville, Arkansas and numerous nephews and nieces, and many beloved friends and colleagues.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Bert and Bonnie Mooney, and two sisters, Mary Helen Mooney, and Nina Marie (Mooney) Vinzant.

Funeral services will be held 10 am Saturday, November 21, 2009 at Porum Freewill Baptist Church with Rev. Fred Riddle officiating. Burial will follow at Coleman Cemetery under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home & Crematory. Viewing will be at Mallory Chapel-Porum, Friday, from 10 am to 8 pm.

Pallbearers will be Dennis Frisbie, Lloyd Benton, Don Jackson, Phil Harris, Bob Coughran, Randy Hall and Bill Fools. Honorary Pallbearers will be Charles Mooney, Wayne Mooney, Michael Mooney, Bradley Mooney, Jeff Mooney and Billy Goodner. Military Rites conducted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4446 Stigler, OK.