Joe C. Lewallen Jr.

During his joyous and faithful 63 years, Joe Carlos Lewallen, Jr. (“JoJo” to his doting grandchildren), loved his family more than all else. On April 1, 2024, he went to heaven to be with his first-born son, Tripp.

Joe was born in Tulsa, OK on July 17, 1960 to Joe Carlos Lewallen, Sr. and Betty Jo Jones Lewallen. As a child, he loved watching The Rifleman, riding his bicycle with no shoes, and playing baseball. He was creative, energetic, imaginative, and kind. His parents taught him to work hard and be humble. Joe graduated from Tulsa Hale in 1978.

Joe attended Oklahoma State University, graduating with a degree in English in 1982. While in Stillwater, Joe joined the Lambda Chi Order where he forged life-long friendships and participated in legendary hijinks. As a student, he was curious and studious. During school, he worked as a bailiff in the Payne County courthouse—his introduction to the practice of law and springboard to the University of Oklahoma College of Law.

While in law school, Joe met Jamie Beth Baxter, the love of his life. Joe had intentionally waited and sought a young woman just like Jamie, someone who shared his strong faith in God and deep unwavering commitment to family. A perfect match in every way, they married on May 18, 1985—just one week after Joe graduated from law school—at Trinity Episcopal Church in Tulsa. They honeymooned in Hawaii. As newlyweds, they played tennis, travelled with friends, and planned their future. In 1989, Joe and Jamie moved into a house on Pennington Way where he would raise his family and live for the rest of his life.

In 1998, tragedy struck when Joe’s eldest son, Joe C. “Tripp” Lewallen III, lost his life-long battle with leukemia. During his darkest hour, Joe found comfort in his faith, family, friends, and community. To honor Tripp, Joe and Jamie started the Tripp Lewallen Memorial Baseball Tournament. For 7 years, teams from across the state converged on Oklahoma City to play in Tripp’s memory. The ”Tripp Tournament” raised $2 million—endowing the Tripp Lewallen Chair in Hematology/Oncology at the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital.

A zealous advocate for the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, Joe was a member of All Souls’ Episcopal Church for more than 30 years. Every Sunday, you could find Joe sitting first pew, on the aisle, “Epistle side.” If a parishioner was ever confused about when to sit or stand, they simply had to keep an eye on Joe. At All Souls’, Joe and Jamie taught Sunday school, and Joe served on the church Vestry and as an usher and lay reader.

Joe grew to be a giant in the legal community. He served as lead counsel for many of the largest real estate transactions in state history, and his efforts helped reshape his adopted hometown into the big-league city it is today. He was universally loved and respected by his partners, associates, colleagues, and clients for his exceptional problem solving, thoughtfulness, honesty, and above all integrity.

Though he never sought limelight or recognition, Joe was a natural-born leader. He was elected President of his fraternity, President of his law school class, President of Fellers Snider PLLC, Executive Committee member at McAfee & Taft PLLC, President of the Board of Trustees at Heritage Hall School, Senior Warden at All Souls’ Episcopal Church, and President of the Board of Trustees of Childrens’ Health Foundation. Joe believed he had a duty to serve and forge a better future for his children and grandchildren. One of Joe’s best friends recently remarked that Joe was elected to leadership roles because he was always the most qualified person for the job.

Joe’s upmost passion was his family. He leapt at every opportunity to be with Jamie and their children. Joe never missed a game or performance or ceremony; he helped with homework, salved heartache, encouraged hard work, and inspired kindness. When speaking to his friends—and even some strangers—Joe would always talk glowingly about his children. He was so proud of them. Joe loved to travel with his family; a recent family trip to Italy was the trip of a lifetime. Joe also loved the Florida Gulf Coast; Joe and Jamie recently completed construction of a vacation home on beautiful Highway 30-A—a place Joe’s grandchildren will cherish forever. Joe loved his church, his friends, and his profession; he loved watching the weather and warning his family about pending storms; he loved his miniature dachshunds Annie, Mary Catherine, Mary Jo, and Gladys; he loved cornbread mixed with butter milk, grilling burgers on a warm night, and watching Jamie prepare adventurous new home-cooked meals. He loved watching the U.S. Open on Fathers’ Day, writing the note from Santa on Christmas Morning (always signing off with “Gotta Fly!”), and creating elaborate scavenger hunts from the Easter Bunny. He’d grow a goatee on family ski trips because his sons thought it was cool. He loved telling goofy jokes and making funny faces when Jamie was trying to get a good picture for the Christmas card. He loved making Chex-mix around the holidays while listening to Nine Lessons and Carols live from Kings College. He loved watching The Sandlot and Cool Runnings with his boys, sitting outside by the fire on a chilly night, and a warm chocolate-chip cookie. He was a long-suffering fan of the Texas Rangers —a passion shared with his entire family. Last fall, Joe’s team finally won the World Series. He celebrated the final out, in tears, with his family.

Joe loved big and cried often—mostly tears of joy. He was never afraid to show his emotions, especially around friends and family. Whether he was saying goodbye or just in the middle of a good hug, Joe’s eyes would tear up. His love was so unwavering and so strong, it simply could not be contained. He ended every family conversation with “I love you.”

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joe Sr. and Betty Jo, and his son, Tripp. He is survived by his wife, Jamie; children, Robert Baxter and his wife Kara (Bundren) Lewallen of Oklahoma City, Graham Bennett and his wife Christina (Flanagan) Lewallen of Oklahoma City, and daughter Elizabeth Addison of Oklahoma City; grandchildren Josephine Pearl, Graham Bennett, Jr., and Whitley John; his sister Debra Jo and her husband Doug of Tulsa; and countless beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins across the country.

A memorial service will be held at All Souls’ Episcopal Church on Friday April 5, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. honoring Joe’s life, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall and interment at Rose Hill Burial Park. A public viewing will be held Thursday April 4th, 2024 from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Oklahoma Childrens’ Health Foundation.