Log in Subscribe

Joseph Ezekiel Dover

Posted

Graveside services for Joseph Ezekiel Dover, 88 of Purcell were held Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at the Washington Cemetery. Services were under the direction of the Wilson-Little Funeral Home in Purcell.

Mr. Dover passed away Saturday, April 2, 2022 at Sunset Estates Nursing Home.

Joe was born September 11, 1933 in Goldsby, Okla., the oldest of eight children born to Joseph and Pauline (Nelson) Dover. He was raised in the Goldsby/Washington area and attended Washington Schools.

Joe married his best friend and life partner, Mary Ruth Andrews, on November 7, 1953 in Purcell. They first made their home in Washington, where they raised their only son, Larry.

Joe answered the call of service, and joined the Norman Police Department in 1961. He proudly served as a Law Enforcement officer for 20 years, retiring in 1981. At the urging of some of his department friends, he jumped back into community service as a Deputy for the Cleveland County Sheriff’s department.

In Joe’s heart though, he was always destined to be a farmer. Throughout the years, he and Mary dabbled in it, farming some on the side. Although, Mary recalls that they might starve if it ever became a day job.

Away from work, Joe enjoyed traveling. He and Mary liked traveling to Bluegrass festivals, and he never missed a chance to camp the Arkansas River with Lem Nelson. Joe was a good man, husband, father and friend. He will be dearly missed!

He was preceded in death by his son, Larry Dover; parents, Joseph and Pauline Dover and siblings, Vera Madden, Margie Yeary and Robert Dover.

Joe is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Dover; sisters, Carolyn Felton of Norman, Linda Bridwell of Goldsby and Ruth Madden of Goldsby; brother, James Dover of Garfield, Ark., and a host of other family and friends.    

Online condolences may be made at wilsonlittle.com.