Obituary of Harry Potts

Harry L. Potts, 88, co-founder and co owner of Potts Optics and Manufacturing passed away Wednesday, May 11, 2011. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. in the Centenary United Methodist Church with the Revs. Keith McArtor, Dick Bland and Lynn McBride officiating. Interment will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the District 5 Rifle Squad. Pallbearers will be the Legion of Honor of the Akdar Shrine. The family will be receiving friends in the lobby of the Ninde Brookside Funeral Home, Friday, May 13, 2011, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Mr. Potts was born on April 21, 1923 in Enid, Oklahoma to Ora E. and Sarah G. (Sasseen) Potts. Harry graduated from Sperry High School with the class of 1941. After high school he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. Serving in WWII serving in North Africa and Italy with the 22nd Air Depot Supply Squadron. His unit held regular reunions until 2005. After his honorable discharge he and Joann Wyatt were united in marriage on September 3, 1945 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. He and Joann co-founded and co-owned the Potts Optic and Manufacturing Company in Tulsa for over 25 years. Harry loved to refurbish old automobiles. He was an active member of the Centenary United Methodist Church, Tulsa Akdar Shriners, Masonic Lodge # 425, Tulsa Scottish Rites, American Legion and The Veterans of Foreign Wars. After he retired he was an active member of the Akdar Shrine Legion of Honor and drove his restored WW II era Willys Jeep in many parades. Harry was a diehard University of Tulsa Hurricane football fan. He held season tickets for many years and legend has it he never missed a home game. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Joann Potts on March 3, 2003. Harry was dearly loved by all of his family and many friends, and his zest for life and sense of humor will be greatly missed. Survivors include his daughters, Carolyn Fischer, her children, Kate and Paul of Louisville, Kentucky, Marla Weigant and her husband John and their children Emily and Jocelyn all of the The Woodlands, Texas, nieces Judy Pollard Doyle, Vivian Smith, Rena Ferrero and Willa Markley; nephews, Lynn McBride, Ray Potts and Pat Peden, and many grand and great-grand nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife he was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers and sisters, Clifford, Eunice, Vernon, Olive, Thelma and Cecil. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials be made in his name to the Centenary United Methodist Church, 631 N. Denver, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74106 or to the Akdar Shrine Hospital Transportation Fund, 2808 S. Sheridan Road, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74129-1014.