Obituary of George Donovan Severson

"Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, love is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8A

George Donovan Severson, 91, of Tulsa, OK, passed away peacefully January 17, 2024, with his family by his side. He will be greatly missed by all, but especially by his wife of 65 years, Joanne Susan Cech of Whiting, IN.

George was born on April 2, 1932, to Linnie Fisher and Henry Spurr Severson in Tulsa, OK. His paternal grandparents, Olive and John S. Severson, helped to raise him. He graduated from Central High School in 1950, then attended Tulsa University (TU) to major in Geology. He left to serve in the Air Force during the Korean War (stationed in San Antonio, TX) and returned to TU, where he earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Geology.

TU is also where George met the love of his life, Joanne, and they married in 1959. In the early days of their marriage, George and Joanne traveled together through the Ouachita Mountains in a Volkswagen Beetle, gathering data for his master’s thesis. After George graduated, they moved to Norman, OK where he worked for Texaco as a petroleum geologist. His growing family would move to Ardmore, OK, Lafayette, LA, and finally settle in New Orleans, LA, a place he called home for 53 years, before returning to Tulsa.

George worked for Exchange Oil and Gas, Louisiana Land and Exploration Co., where he served as a Vice President, Freeport-McMoRan, and Severson Exploration Co. He received numerous awards and was a member of several professional organizations, including SIPES, AAPG and NOGS.

George and Joanne had four children: Dianne E. Severson Head (Michael Head) and Judy A. Severson, both of Tulsa, OK, George F. Severson (Jaime Armitage) of Opelousas, LA, and Jennifer L. Severson of Livingston, MT. He is survived and missed dearly by his children and his four grandchildren, Jackson Head, Madeline Head, Lily Severson, and Henry Severson. He is also survived by his niece, Katherine Bynum Russell, her son Bynum Russell, and other family who affectionately called him “Uncle Bub.”

George loved a good joke and told many. He enjoyed loading his family into the station wagon and hitting the highway. Joanne made a thermos of coffee and George drove. Annual treks to Arkansas for Thanksgiving, Chicago for Christmas, and Yellowstone Park. One of his favorite destinations was Seagrove Beach, FL, where he soaked up the sun, jumped the waves, built bonfires, roasted hot dogs, and told jokes until the fire burned out. A diehard Saints fan, he took his kids to games where more often than not they endured disappointment.

George and Joanne traveled the world, enjoyed going out for a great dinner, and dancing the night away with friends. When it was his turn for breakfast George made the world’s best cinnamon toast and was known as a master at the grill. He never missed a chance to say: “I love you” and “drive safely.”

As a young father he told great bedtime stories. A favorite was of a Native American boy who must hunt to earn approval of his tribe. The boy swam under a flock of geese on the water slipping a tether to each webbed foot. As he rose to the surface, the geese clamored and rose to flight with the little boy holding on all the way home where he was welcomed as a hero. George was his family’s hero. His friends would all agree he was incredibly kind, eternally patient, and a gentleman always. He will be buried near family at Park Grove Cemetery in Broken Arrow, OK.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Running Strong for American Indian Youth, an organization close to his heart. http://www.indianyouth.org/