Joe Walter Surface

Funeral services for Joe Surface will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 17, 2023 at the Alva Wesleyan Church with Pastor Paul Kirk officiating. Burial will follow in the Garber Cemetery under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home of Alva. Joe Walter Surface of Alva has gone home to be with his Lord on March 13, 2023, at the age of 73. He was born August 19, 1949, in Alva to Paul and Hazel (King) Surface. He grew up on the family farm north of Alva where he farmed and ranched all of his life. Joe had a great love of music which led to his decision to major in Music Education at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. While in college, Joe was a part of the Marching Band, Stage Band, and Campus Singers. While at Northwestern, Joe met the love of his life, Jean Marie Cinnamon. They were married in November of 1969 at the First Christian Church of Garber. Joe and Jean moved to the family farm north of Alva where they currently reside. He was chosen as a Deacon and Elder of his church and was a member of the choir, later becoming choir director. Northwestern was a large part of Joe’s life. He obtained his Masters in Counseling there, was an avid alumnus, played in the Alumni Band and was a member of the Rowdy Rangers. Family was very important to Joe and his wife, Jean. The couple were blessed with four daughters and 12 grandchildren. A big part of Joe’s later years were filled with trips to many different events because of his desire to be a part of everything happening in their lives. Besides his parents, Paul and Hazel (King) Surface, he was preceded in death by his Aunt Nell Surface; his brother, Daryll and wife, Sandra; his parents-in-law, Ray Gene and Libby Cinnamon; sister-in-law, Barbara Surface; sister-in-law, Donna Thralls and her husband, Mike; and brother-in-law, Richard Cinnamon. Joe leaves behind to mourn his loss his loving wife, Jean; daughters, Stefanie and her husband Doug Ogburn, Stacie and her husband, Barry Vincent, Shellie and her husband, Steve Seabolt, and Sharie and her husband, Will Mitchell; 12 grandchildren, Ashten and her husband, Austin Child, Taven Vincent, Carli Seabolt, Gabren Vincent, Caleb Seabolt, Carson Seabolt, Eva Mitchell, Emory Mitchell, Loren Ogburn, Braxton Ogburn, Libby Ogburn, Lillian Ogburn, and Elliana Mitchell; and a brother, Dwight Surface and his wife, Irene, as well as a host of nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to the Northwestern Foundation.

Joe Walter Surface

August 19, 1949 - March 13, 2023