Obituary for Joe Ray Compton
Marlow: Joe Ray Comton, 81, passed away Friday, April 1, 2022 in Foster.
Graveside Services will be held at 1:00 PM, Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at the Purdy Cemetery with Rev. Clay Hicks. All arrangements have been entrusted to Callaway-Smith-Cobb Funeral and Cremation Services in Marlow.
Joe Ray Compton was born on July 22, 1940, in Lindsay, Oklahoma. Joe was the middle son of Molly
Mildred (Rouse) Compton and Walter William Compton. He was preceded in death by his wife Elsie
Compton of Whiting New Jersey, his parents Mildred and Walter Compton of Purdy, Oklahoma, His older
brother William Edward Compton of Kansas City, his Sister Jessie Gale of Branson Missouri, and his younger
brother Walter Eli Compton of Purdy.
Joe was an avid fisherman, who often caught fish. He loved going to the casino and he often won.
While those things were exciting he mostly loved the activity and the interaction with people. Joe loved
big parties. They were not about decorations or frills. His parties were about people and great food and
he spared no expense to see that every one was well fed and had a good time. Joe was a generous
person. He was a common man who enjoyed life.
Some of Joe’s favorite memories of his childhood were in Roseburg, Oregon. That is where he developed his
passion for hunting and fishing. He caught trout from the mountain streams and hunted for rabbits and
deer while his dad and granddad worked in the logging business. The Compton family moved back to
Oklahoma in 1955 due to his younger brother’s health.
Joe attended Doyle High School. When the Compton family moved from Oregon to Oklahoma, they
were invited to live in teacher housing at Doyle because they had 4 kids in school and in a small school,
that was important. Later the family moved to Purdy and the Compton children were transferred back
to Doyle. Upon completing High school Joe moved to Colgate Oklahoma to live with the Carter Family
who became lifelong friends.
Joe enlisted in the Army in 1964. He served 5 years before he was honorably discharged.
When Joe was Honorably discharged from the military He married. He definitely married the right girl.
Elsie was a great cook and she loved a big party. Elsie was the mother of 5 boys Richie, Larry, Kevin,
Michael, Keith, Joe helped raise these children as his own. Joe had lots of grandkids and great great
grandkids. He worked for the city of Whiting New Jersey in the Roads division and as a volunteer
fireman. Joe and his wife, Elsie were members of the fireman’s auxiliary and were very active in the
organization and preparation of social events.
After Elsie’s death Joe moved to Foster Oklahoma. He very quickly rallied his brothers Bill and Eli for a
fishing Trip. They were the perfect fishing buddies. Joe knew all about how to catch a fish. Bill knew the
best lakes in Missouri and Eli had fished every lake in Oklahoma. If no fish were biting, they could spend
their time planning the next trip. Joe’s Nephew Audy joined the group and helped keep them safe in
their later years. Their friendship made it an easy transition for Eli’s family to adopt Joe as one of their
own. He was always invited to come with Audy on holidays and special occasions.
When Joe returned to Oklahoma from New Jersey, he purchased a home near Fuqua Lake. He lived close
to Tony, Lois and James Carter who were great friends to him. He enjoyed their company and the fact
that they included him in their family. They were also very helpful to the Compton family by looking out
for Joe in his later years. Our thanks and gratitude go out to them. Their presence there was a great
comfort to Joe and to Audy when Joe did not answer his phone. We are truly grateful for the Carter
family.
Online condolences may be made to www.CallawaySmithCobb.com
Graveside Services will be held at 1:00 PM, Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at the Purdy Cemetery with Rev. Clay Hicks. All arrangements have been entrusted to Callaway-Smith-Cobb Funeral and Cremation Services in Marlow.
Joe Ray Compton was born on July 22, 1940, in Lindsay, Oklahoma. Joe was the middle son of Molly
Mildred (Rouse) Compton and Walter William Compton. He was preceded in death by his wife Elsie
Compton of Whiting New Jersey, his parents Mildred and Walter Compton of Purdy, Oklahoma, His older
brother William Edward Compton of Kansas City, his Sister Jessie Gale of Branson Missouri, and his younger
brother Walter Eli Compton of Purdy.
Joe was an avid fisherman, who often caught fish. He loved going to the casino and he often won.
While those things were exciting he mostly loved the activity and the interaction with people. Joe loved
big parties. They were not about decorations or frills. His parties were about people and great food and
he spared no expense to see that every one was well fed and had a good time. Joe was a generous
person. He was a common man who enjoyed life.
Some of Joe’s favorite memories of his childhood were in Roseburg, Oregon. That is where he developed his
passion for hunting and fishing. He caught trout from the mountain streams and hunted for rabbits and
deer while his dad and granddad worked in the logging business. The Compton family moved back to
Oklahoma in 1955 due to his younger brother’s health.
Joe attended Doyle High School. When the Compton family moved from Oregon to Oklahoma, they
were invited to live in teacher housing at Doyle because they had 4 kids in school and in a small school,
that was important. Later the family moved to Purdy and the Compton children were transferred back
to Doyle. Upon completing High school Joe moved to Colgate Oklahoma to live with the Carter Family
who became lifelong friends.
Joe enlisted in the Army in 1964. He served 5 years before he was honorably discharged.
When Joe was Honorably discharged from the military He married. He definitely married the right girl.
Elsie was a great cook and she loved a big party. Elsie was the mother of 5 boys Richie, Larry, Kevin,
Michael, Keith, Joe helped raise these children as his own. Joe had lots of grandkids and great great
grandkids. He worked for the city of Whiting New Jersey in the Roads division and as a volunteer
fireman. Joe and his wife, Elsie were members of the fireman’s auxiliary and were very active in the
organization and preparation of social events.
After Elsie’s death Joe moved to Foster Oklahoma. He very quickly rallied his brothers Bill and Eli for a
fishing Trip. They were the perfect fishing buddies. Joe knew all about how to catch a fish. Bill knew the
best lakes in Missouri and Eli had fished every lake in Oklahoma. If no fish were biting, they could spend
their time planning the next trip. Joe’s Nephew Audy joined the group and helped keep them safe in
their later years. Their friendship made it an easy transition for Eli’s family to adopt Joe as one of their
own. He was always invited to come with Audy on holidays and special occasions.
When Joe returned to Oklahoma from New Jersey, he purchased a home near Fuqua Lake. He lived close
to Tony, Lois and James Carter who were great friends to him. He enjoyed their company and the fact
that they included him in their family. They were also very helpful to the Compton family by looking out
for Joe in his later years. Our thanks and gratitude go out to them. Their presence there was a great
comfort to Joe and to Audy when Joe did not answer his phone. We are truly grateful for the Carter
family.
Online condolences may be made to www.CallawaySmithCobb.com