Joseph Daniel Wesley was born on September 29, 1914 on the campus of Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, Mississippi, from the union of Frederick and Ida Wesley. His father was supervisor of the Agricultural Production Group for the college, located about 8 miles north of Jackson. His parents met at Alcorn College in Mississippi and they stressed the importance of obtaining college degrees to their eight children. They were a very proud and dignified family; and were direct decendents of the great abolitionist, Frederick Douglas.


Joseph's father passed when Joseph was nine years old and the family had to leave the home on the campus. During that time, the family struggled financially and at one time, Joseph dropped out of high school for two years to help out.


Joseph left Mississippi for Langston College in Oklahoma in 1935. It was around that time he began using just his initials and became know as J. D. Wesley. At Langston, he majored in Math, Biology, French and English, and graduated with a B. A. in Science and Education in 1939.


While attending Langston, J. D. also met Marzetta Brown, his future wife of 59 years. They were married in 1946 and their love was blessed with one son, Charles Frederick.


J. D. Wesley became an educator upon graduating from Langston. His first teaching appointment was in 1939 to the public school system in Anadarko, Oklahoma. He later transferred to Historic Dunbar High School in Okmulgee in 1943, where he taught Biology, Chemistry and Physics. In the mid 1960's, J. D. also taught these subjects at Okmulgee High School. He later joined the teaching staff of Oklahoma State University School of Technical Training [OSU-Okmulgee] as supervisor of Mathematics in 1969.


J. D. continued his own education over the years, first with a M. A. in Math and Biology from Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee, advance studies in his field at the University of Nebraska, University of California-Berkley, UCLA, Texas Southern University at Houston, Stanford University at Palo Alto, California, University of New Mexico, Oklahoma State University and the University of Washington at Seattle.


Mr. Wesley received Christ as his Savior at an early age and continued his spiritual growth as a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where he served as Financial Secretary for more than thirty years.


His civic duties included serving on the board of Directors of Okmulgee Memorial Hospital for 28 years, President and a member of the Community Chamber of Commerce, Treasurer of Okmulgee Teen Town, Treasurer of Okmulgee NAACP, member of Beta Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Treasurer of his chapter, Chairman of the Okmulgee Personnell Apeals Board, Treasurer and past member of OSU/Okmulgee Federal Credit Union, a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and a member of the Okmulgee City Advisory Council. Governor George Nigh appointed Mr. Wesley to the State Human Rights Commission and Governor Henry Bellmon appointed him to the Merit Protection Commission. He also served as a member of the Okmulgee Board of Education.


Failing health kept Mr. Wesley out of the public eye for the past few years. God, in his infinite wisdom and mercy, call J. D. home on March 27, 2007 from his home in Okmulgee. His parents, all of his siblings, his devoted wife, Marzetta and his son, Cahrles Frederick, preceded him in death.

He leaves to lament his passing; a devoted nephew, Kenneth [Jewell] Wesley, Rio Rancho, New Mexico; sisters-in-law, Mabel Wesley, Los Angeles, California, Lillian Greer, Parkland, FLorida, Odevia Field, East Orange, New Jersey and Barbara Player, Reston, Virginia; cousin-in-law, K. C. [Norma] Kemp; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, students and friends.


The family would like to give a special acknowledgment to the Kemp family for their support of "Uncle Joe" during his last years. They were instrumental in providing and overseeing J. D.'s loving caregivers, Margaret Henderson, Helen Perry, Joyce Grant, Claudette Wallace, Elneeda Motte, Lois Whittaker, Stephanie Talton and Sharon WhiteCloud. Because of them, this dignified man was able to enter Heaven's gate with all the dignity he rightly deserved.

The final hour with Mr. Wesley will be on Saturday morning, March 31, 2007 at 10:00 A.M. in the Trinity Lutheran Church, 1314 East 6th Street. Burial will follow in the Okmulgee Cemetery.

You may visit Mr. Wesley, as he slumbers at the funeral home on Friday from 12 Noon to 6 PM. The casket will not be opened at the church.