Joe C. Masters

Joe C. Masters, 76, passed away on Sunday, October 23, 2022, peacefully and surrounded by his family. Joe was born to Ray and Thelma Masters in El Reno, OK, where he also spent his childhood. The "baby" of the family by several years, he was doted on as a child and was fortunate enough to meet his best friend, life partner, and soulmate, Frances Arnold, at the age of 13, where they had several 7th grade classes together at El Reno Junior High. After they got married, Joe and Fran moved to Oklahoma City while Fran completed Nursing School. Then they made the move to Edmond to attend Central State University (now UCO), where Joe majored in Political Science. After graduation, Joe joined the Air Force, where he served for 4 years in San Antonio, TX; Biloxi, MS; and Denver, CO, before returning to Tinker AFB in Oklahoma and giving birth to their daughter Kristen (1971). Following his career in the Air Force, he went to work for the Federal Bureau of Prisons in El Reno. He was relocated to Leavenworth, KS, where Joe and Fran had their second daughter, Karyn (1975), and then moved to Philadelphia, PA, before returning to settle and establish their family of 4 in Yukon, OK.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Thelma Masters; his brother, Larry Masters; his sister, Vonda Wright; and his beloved daughter, Kristen Quintero.

Joe is survived by his soulmate and life-long love Fran Masters; his daughter, Karyn Garcia, and her husband, Steve; his three favorite reasons to brag: Collin Garcia (18), Drew Garcia (15), Joshua Quintero (11); and numerous family members and loyal friends.

Golf was always a central figure in Joe's life, and he spent much of his childhood caddying for the old-timers at El Reno Country Club, where he was able to master the art and science of golf, as well as the art and science of storytelling, both of which most people would agree became his occupations, regardless of any job title he held.

Loved ones describe Joe as warm, friendly, determined (aka stubborn!), family-oriented, loyal, outspoken and opinionated, genuine, empathetic, funny, and a little crusty. He was quick to laugh and even quicker to tell you a story about it. If you were a friend of Joe, he considered you family! He loved nothing more than spoiling his family, especially his girls and his grandsons, who he adored! Joe loved his family, traveling, coffee, cars, golf, hamburgers, telling stories, fishing, music, breakfast at any time, Pepsi, starting traditions, history, and old movies – in no particular order. He was the original, "Hey, Siri"...just ask him! He will be sorely missed and very fondly remembered.

Celebration of life services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 3, 2022 at the Yanda & Son Funeral Home Chapel, Yukon, followed by an informal gathering at Joe and Fran's house.