Cecil Chatham passed away at his home in Moore, OK, on the morning of April 6, 2020, at the age of 86.
Cecil was born on November 5, 1933, In Lawton, OK, to Lester and Blanche Chatham. He lived in Lawton with his parents and younger brother, Buck. Graduated from Lawton High School, and attended college at Cameron University in Lawton.
Cecil married Lillie Marie Best on April 25, 1954. They started their family in 1955 with the birth of daughter, Rebecca, son Steven in 1958, and Michelle and Michael came along in 1962. “CC”, one of his nicknames, started working for Montgomery Wards in 1954. Starting in the warehouse and finished a 38 year career in 1992. Cecil spent his last 14 years with Wards as a store manager at several stores in Texas. During those 38 years, Cecil and his family traveled quite a bit for his work. In 1962, they mov4ed to Louisiana. In February, 1969, they moved to Denver, CO, and 5 months later packed up to head for OKC. The family lived in OKC until 1981, that’s when Cecil and Marie started his 14 store trek through Texas. He managed stores in College Station, Abilene, McAllen, and Houston. After his retirement from Wards and moving back to OKC, Cecil started his second career, building birdhouses in his small workshop at his home. He built the houses during the week and spent Saturday and Sunday selling his wares at the corner of Anderson Rd and SE 29th in Midwest City. He retired from his home construction business in 2015 due to health issues. Cecil spent the rest of his life at home in Moore, Oklahoma, keeping his yard immaculate and enjoying his family and pets.
Cecil is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Buck; son-in-law, Joseph Pellegrino; and daughter, Michelle.
He is survived by wife, Marie; daughter, Rebecca; sons, Steven and Michael; their spouses, Leslie and Melody; eight grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; and his pets, Sadie, Zeke, and Cam.
No services are scheduled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Services may be scheduled for a later date.
Sympathy cards can be sent to Marie Chatham at: 408 Cedar Lane, Moore, OK, 73065.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to WildCare Animal Sanctuary: 7601 84th Street, Noble, OK, 73068.
Donations can also be made at www.wildcareoklahoma.com
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