Joe Santee

Joe Forest Santee II was born on June 29, 1941, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma to Paul and Helen Santee. He was the younger brother of William (Bill) Santee.

He grew up in Okmulgee and graduated from Okmulgee High School in 1959. He attended Oklahoma State University (OSU) from 1960-1964, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Education. While attending OSU, he pledged to the Kappa Sigma fraternity and participated in the ROTC program. During this time, he met the love of his life, Christine Kelamis. They married on May 29, 1965.

Joe joined the United States Air Force in May of 1964 as a Second Lieutenant. He trained to become an F-4 Phantom fighter pilot and was deployed to Vietnam in 1966. He flew 100 missions during his tour in Vietnam earning several medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross. After his tour in Vietnam, Joe and Chris were stationed in Enid, Oklahoma where Joe flew as an instructor in the T-37. On November 7,1969, Joe and Chris welcomed their first son, Joe Forest Santee III.

Upon leaving the U.S. Air Force in May of 1971, he and Chris moved to Dallas, Texas. Their second son, Matthew Thomas Santee, was born on August 18, 1971. Joe’s love for flying continued and eventually led him to Delta Air Lines where he began his career as a commercial airline pilot on October 16, 1972. Joe and Chris remained in Dallas and had their third son, James Kirk Santee, on March 6, 1978. Joe flew for Delta Air Lines for more than 29 years and retired as a Captain on June 29, 2001.

Joe accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior when he was a teenager, beginning his lifelong walk with God. He was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and spent his life studying God’s word and serving the Lord. He was a devoted husband and father, touching countless lives through his faithfulness.

He will be remembered by his wife of 59 years, Christine, their sons Joe (Karen), Matthew (Jennifer), and James; his grandchildren, Nathan, Aaron, Gabe, Luke, David, Caleb, Jacob, and Josie; his sister-in-law Angela Kelamis and her son Brycen; his brother-in-law Bill (Barbara) Kelamis and their sons Evan (Elizabeth) and Alex (Taylor); his nephews Joseph Santee and Jason Yerian; his nieces Sharon Montez and Amy Abele; along with many other family members and friends.

For those who wish to attend, Joe will be laid to rest with military honors at the Dallas/Ft Worth National Cemetery at 10:30 a.m., Friday, November 22, 2024, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m., located at Allen Family Funeral Options 2112 W. Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano Texas, 75023, with a reception to follow.

If you wish to join the service via webcast, please visit:

https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/106748