Bob Painter

Charles Robert Painter was born in Los Angeles, California on Wednesday, May 5, 1943, to parents Charles Willis and Edith Maxine (Medley) Painter. He moved from this life to his eternal home from Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. He was 83 years old. “Bob’s” family relocated back to Springfield, Missouri when he was still an infant. He grew up in Springfield one of two children, he adored his big sister Barbara, surrounded by many cousins. One highlight of his childhood memories is going for his first airplane ride with his uncle when he was 12 years old, that ride shaped the rest of his life. He graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1961. Bob joined the Airforce in September of 1961. He became a crew chief on the F101 and F102 jet aircraft while he was based at Tyndall AFB, Florida. Following his honorable discharge in September of 1965 he moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he attended Spartan School of Aeronautics to obtain his Airframe and powerplant FAA License. He went on to use his GI bill to obtain his FAA Commercial, Multi-engine and Instrument ratings from Tulsair Beechcraft in 1967. Upon completion of his flight training, he went to work for Manhattan Construction Company in Muskogee, Oklahoma where he was Pilot and mechanic until the sale of the aircraft in 1978. Bob moved to Tulsa in July 1978 where he took the Chief Pilot position for John C Oxley of Oxley Petroleum. His employment with “Jack Oxley” ended at his retirement in December 2024. During his time in the Air Force, he married Martha Williams and they had 3 beautiful baby girls; Susan, Sherry, and Barbara. After their marriage ended, he relocated to Tulsa where he married Carolyn Stringfellow. They had a beautiful baby girl together, Amy. In 1990, Bob married Mary Allen Moore and gained a son, Josh. His love of flying only became sweeter when they got married since they were able to pilot together. Mary went to work as co-pilot/captain for the company in 1990. They were able to do what they both loved and do it together until 2024. Their journeys took them to many countries and coast to coast. His 46 years of flying for Jack Oxley and family was a true delight. He often told Jack he would fly for free, he loved flying the Sabreliner for him that much. One of his favorite pastimes was sailing the high seas with Mary on adventurous cruises, sharing those times with family and treasured friends. He loved getting together with family, going to dinner, and having events in his home. He spent a few years in the cattle business with his father-in-law and got a good taste of farm life and it made him appreciate his choice of career even more! He was a devoted husband, father, and friend. Those to gather and reminisce include, Those left to cherish his memory are: Wife, Mary Painter of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Children, Susan Downs and Chris of Bixby, Oklahoma Amy Edlich and Vinnie Garcia of Tulsa, Oklahoma Josh Moore and Monica of Toledo, Ohio Grandchildren, Katherine Mayo, Emily Upchurch and Kyle, Justin Gipson and Caroline, Dillon Chafton, Faith Cadmus and Stefan Gingrich, Melody Cadmus and Ayden Steinline, Jillian Arledge, Madison Moore, Gia Edlich, Luke Moore, Vincent Edlich, Eddie Garcia Great-Grandchildren, Harrison, Hudson, Grayson, Jackson, and Holland Upchurch, Jess Mayo And a host of beloved family and friends He is preceded in death by parents, Charles and Edith Painter, Father-in-law Marvin Allen, Mother-in-law Verneil Allen, daughters, Sherry Gipson, Barbara Chafton, grandchild, Dalton Chafton, sister, Barbara Jackson

Bob Painter

May 5, 1943 - August 12, 2026