Noel Lovell

A Celebration of Life for Noel N. Lovell age 96 of Waukomis will be 10:00 am Monday, February 6, 2023 in Garriott Rd. Church of Christ with Ray Rose officiating. Burial will follow in the Waukomis Cemetery under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home and Crematory. Family will receive friends 6:00 to 7:00 pm Sunday at funeral home.

Born May 29, 1926, to Clarence Elmer Lovell and Naomi Ruth (McCord) Lovell at the family farm in Waukomis, Garfield County, Oklahoma. As the last member of his 9 siblings, Noel died peacefully at his home on February 1, 2023. His father, Clarence, died on May 4, 1929, at only 38 years old. After his father’s death, the family farm was sold and they moved into “town,” Waukomis, in a small 3 bedroom house. His uncle, Charles McCord (“Uncle Buddy”), took on a father role for the kids. Noel’s mother, in addition to being the hardest working person he had ever known, instilled in each of her children a strong work ethic, and, more importantly, the love of the Lord.

Growing up, Noel worked for various local farmers, including Ralph Kreie, Hugh Cozart, Charley Pitman, Eddie Moravec and Cecil Cornish; for the then school superintendent, Robert York, Jung Motor Co., and also delivered newspapers. As a junior in high school, in 1943, due to WW2, Noel began driving a school bus. In October of 1944, Noel was drafted into the U.S. Army and started his basic infantry training with stops at Camp Chaffie, AR, Camp Blanding, FL, and Fort Ord, CA. A short 14 weeks later, Noel was assigned to Company E, 129th Regiment, 25th Division, in the Philippine Islands, as a rifleman. After receiving battle related injuries, he was Honorably Discharged from the U.S. Army on October 21, 1945. During his short service, Noel received the Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal, Philippines Liberation Medal, and 2 Bronze Stars.

After initially beginning work as an aircraft engine mechanic at Vance Air Force Base in 1945, the Air Force transferred him to the civil engineering division in 1947. He was assigned to Air Force Flight Training Headquarters in Waco, Texas, as an equipment specialist, then later, after significant schooling, as a traveling Field Representative Civil Engineer.

Noel was transferred back to Vance AFB in 1954 as Chief of Construction, Engineering Airfield Management, and Technical Representative of the Contracting Office. After a whirlwind courtship of about 1 year, Noel married the love of his life, Gladys Williams, early in the morning on Sunday, June 12, 1960. This union was blessed with their first child, Chris, born on January 5, 1962, in the midst of a blizzard. Noel began construction of the eventual family home in 1962, and moved in on July 4, 1963, and where he resided at his death. On March 1, 1965, coincidentally also in the middle of a blowing snow storm, their second child, Brian, was born.

Noel was a volunteer fireman, scout leader, planning commission member, school board member, school board president, member of the state school board association, a driving force behind Lariat Creek Christian Camp, and, at the time of his death, a member at Garriott Road Church of Christ. He served as a teacher, Deacon, and Elder.

Noel retired from the Department of the Air Force on March 12, 1982, after 37 years, and began working for various engineering firms in the private sector, eventually creating his own construction management company. Throughout his career, he was the engineer in charge of well over $3 Billion in construction projects from runways, the flight simulator building and commissary at Vance, a hospital in New Orleans, LA, and wastewater treatment facilities in Las Colinas, TX, Lawton, OK, and Oologah, OK. He retired, for the second time, in March of 1991.

Noel was preceded in death by his parents, 8 siblings, Dean, Osa, Ada, Laddie, Tharon, Lyle, Vada, and Carol. He is survived by his daughter, Chris Mechler and her husband Wally, of Berryton, Kansas; son, Brian Lovell, and his wife Margie, of Waukomis, Oklahoma; grandson James Walker, and his wife Chelsea, of Wichita, Kansas; granddaughter, Jessica Mechler, of Ellsworth, Kansas; granddaughter, Kayla Lovell, of Waukomis; and grandson, Hunter Lovell, of Waukomis, OK. Numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, and a legion of friends.

Noel was a very faithful follower of Christ, a great mentor, an amazing father, friend, advisor, counselor, fantastic grandfather, and leader. While we are obviously sad, we rejoice that he is reunited with our Mom and his wife, Gladys, and his Savior.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Circle of Love or Garriott Rd Church of Christ with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home and Crematory serving as custodians of the funds.

Condolences may be made online and the service may be viewed online at www.ladusauevans.com

.

Dad, Grandpa, friend…we love you and will miss you immensely