Obituary of Edward Edmisten

Dedicated husband and father, businessman, entrepreneur, decorated Navy WWII pilot, Pearl Harbor survivor, professional engineer, company president, committed Cubs fan, gunsmith, locksmith, musician, uncle, grandfather and cherished friend of many. Ed was born in Cleveland, OK to Cora and Daniel H. Edmisten. His father was a successful oil patch driller and the family moved often throughout areas of KS, MO, AR, TX, NM, LA and OK. Despite the challenges of moving, Ed's intelligence blossomed and was recognized as he skipped two grades and graduated high school at 16. Ed was a self starter who worked as a shoeshine boy at age eight and started his first business before completing high school in Prague, OK. He had the lead in high school plays, played on the football and baseball teams, and worked as a cook. At 14, he went to Washington, D.C. on his own, working in restaurants during the day and playing saxophone for hire in the evening. He returned to Prague after four months but later returned to Washington, D.C., then New York City, to play his sax in several bands including Bunny Berigan's. No longer a fry cook, he played gigs, got spots in the studio, and did one night6 stands with Bunny's band. Ed graduated high school in 1940 and then the family moved to Shawnee where he attended Oklahoma Baptist University. He borrowed $500 and opened the Varsity Shoppe, in which he later sold his interest to attend Tulsa University and work in the Research Department at Stanolind Oil and gas. Hearing call of country, Ed enlisted in the U.S. Navy in September 1939, became active in 1940 (17 yoa), and was assigned to the USS Oklahoma late in that year. Ed served his country as Master Machinist, Navigator and Naval Aviator, achieving the appointment of Lieutenant. His flying career included SO3C, AP/3C, AP/2c, Marine aircraft, SBD-3, TBJ, F-4 and F-6. He served at Pearl Harbor, then afterwards with Carlson's Raiders, and throughout the Asiatic-Pacific theatre. Ed was decorated with the Bronze Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Navy Cross, Air Medal Five Stars, Asiatic-Pacific Seven Stars, American Defense with Fleet Clasp, Philippine Liberation Two Stars, Presidential Unit Citation One Star, WWII Victory Medal and American Theatre Medal. Although quiet about his experiences, Ed was a Pearl Harbor survivor (USS Oklahoma), had multiple purple hearts, and endured his last WWII injury after being shot down then picked up in the Pacific by the USS Rochester in August 1945 (22 yoa). After recovering in the hospital for a period exceeding two years, he was honorably discharged to the Reserve in 1948. During his recovery, Ed met his bride of 57 years, Navy Nurse Helen F. Edmisten. Ed and Helen settled in Tulsa and raised their four children, KE, Daniel, Nancy and Gayle. After the war, Ed Went back to work in the laboratory of Stanolind Oil and Gas and went to school at University of Tulsa. He received his B.S., Engineering Physics, in 1956, later received a Masters, and gained employment at Fibercast Corp in Sand Springs. Ed, the consummate company man, remained employed at Fibercast from 1956 to his retirement in 1982, rising from the ranks of Research and Development Engineer, and progressing through promotions to Plant Manager, Vice President, and President. Ed traveled worldwide to sell and grow the company that flourished under his leadership. After "retirement", Ed enjoyed some time off and began his annual baseball migrations with Helen, first to Florida and then, for the last 25 years to Mesa, AZ to participate in Cubs Spring Training. He was soon back at work however, rescuing a troubled apartment security enterprise for which he and Helen donned security uniforms to patrol client properties. He turned the company into one of Tulsa's leading apartment security firms, sold his interest, and returned to retirement. He trained himself as locksmith and gunsmith, enjoyed his extensive RV travels with Helen, and continued his boating, fishing and baseball pursuits. Ed passed peacefully on his annual baseball trip. He is survived by his loving daughter KE; son-in-law Geoff Watkin; dear friend and companion Wanda Miller; five grandchildren Shannon, Kristen, Dallas, Derek, and Brittany; great-granddaughter Summer Jo; and many admirers and loved ones. A prayer vigil will be held Tuesday, March 5, from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. followed by an Open House at the Edmisten residence from 8:00 -10:00 p.m. A Mass of Resurrection will be held Friday, march 6, at 11:00 a.m. The vigil and Mass will be at Resurrection Catholic Church, 4804 S. Fulton off Harvard in Tulsa.