Harry Joe Leathers
Dec 28, 1947 – Oct 16, 2017
Harry Joe Leathers, 69, of Mustang, Oklahoma, peacefully went to be with the Lord on Monday October 16th, 2017, surrounded by his loved ones.
Harry Joe was born in Nowata, Oklahoma on December 28th, 1947 and grew up in Chelsea and Vinita, Oklahoma. A 1966 graduate of Sacred Heart Academy in Vinita, he served as President of the Student Council, Co-Editor of the school paper, and Captain of the basketball team. He also won honors on the wrestling team, and he was a golden gloves boxing champion. He went on to attend Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Oklahoma. While working at Lucent Technologies (formerly AT&T and Western Electric) for 35 years, he was very involved in the local chapter of IBEW, an international labor union for electricians, and helped coworkers struggling with addiction get the help they needed without the worry of losing their jobs.
A brilliant bass guitarist with a passion for the blues, he could learn a song just by hearing the chords. He played with many successful and well-known artists throughout the years. He enjoyed watching Western movies and sports: especially football and basketball. He was also very proud of his Cherokee heritage.
Harry Joe had a heart for people and loved unconditionally. He always helped those in need, even if he had to do without. He loved his children and grandchildren immensely, and was very proud of their accomplishments.
He is survived by his five children; Peter Leathers and wife Carla and their three children Cate, Kaitlyn, and Caden. Pamela Mork and her husband Jeremy and their two children Easton and Colson. Christe Thomas and her husband Matt and their daughter Logan. Elizabeth Bolen and her husband Rhett and their two children Isla and Jude. And son Patrick Oliver. He is also survived by his Uncle Joe and Aunt Ellen, his brother James Leathers Sr., sister Marjorie and her husband Richard Overholt, the mother of his first three children Patricia Navarro, and his mother in-law Mickie White.
He is preceded in death by his father Raleigh Harvey Leathers, mother Minnie Mae Jackman-Street, step-father Warren G. Street, brother David Nix, and wife Janet Leathers.
Services will be held Saturday October 21, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Matthews Funeral Home Chapel.
He was a great friend to me !!
Joe was a great friend and we shared the love of music together especially the blues. We used to play music together when he came to Vinita to visit. I am going to miss him terribly. I am very saddened by his passing
Happy memories from Chelsea-Tough as nails and good as gold.
RIP.Buck (Ben) Farrill
He served as my “Okie Advisor” when this D*** Yankee first came to Oklahoma in ’83.
Enjoyed being his computer helper for many years.
Dave
Harry Joe you will be missed We had a lot of conversations and We had a lot of Laughter .Rest in peace brother
Harry Joe leathers We had a lot of conversations And we also Did of lot of things together Also You can Rest in Peace no more pain .Love you brother . RIP
Great tribute by “Magic Mike”!
To Harry Joe’s family..from Uncle Joe’s family..I just this minute was told about this and read it on Facebook..we are definitely so very sorry to learn about this..we are all saddened..He is family..we would have come to services..My daddy (Joe) loved playing music with Harry Joe..everything I read is true..we loved him and my daddy will be broken hearted when he learns about Harry Joe’s passing..they loved one another.God bless him and his family..
On behalf of the Telecom Thunderbird Pioneers, we express our deepest sympathy upon hearing of the loss of Harry.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time.
All of us who knew Harry Joe will miss his laugh and good friend. Harry was a Union man at Western Electric and AT&T he helped many people there at work. He will be remembered by all those that worked with him at the Union hall. A good person who could make you laugh at some of his stories. Glen Brady
Joe was a good friend and schoolmate at Sacred Heart.
Joe, and his brother David Nix were good friends of mine when we were kids. Both were good Ole boys and always lots of fun. They’re gone, but never forgotten. ??