Chester Allen Bartlett Jr. October 27, 1942 - March 25, 2023

Chester Allen Bartlett Jr. passed away on March 24th, 2023 at an incredible loss to his family, friends and community. He was born on October 27, 1942 to Florine Bell (Proffitt) Bartlett and Chester Allen Bartlett in Alice, Texas and grew up in Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Don Woods. Chet is survived by his wife, Sue Bartlett; daughter, Suzi Bartlett; sister-in-law, Lana Murphy; niece, Timi Mitchell and her sons Geoff and Devin. The Funeral Vigil will be held on March 30, 2023 at 7pm. The Funeral Mass will be held the next morning on March 31st at 10am. For loved ones at a distance, this will also be live streamed on the church’s website. Both services will be held at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church 5024 N Grove Ave. Warr Acres, OK 73122. The burial and graveside service will be held directly after Mass at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery 7500 W Britton Rd. Oklahoma City, OK 73132. All are welcome!
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations in the name of Deacon Chet to a charity he held very dear, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Charles Borromeo (stcharlesokc.org) or a charity of your choosing.
Although Chet was born in Texas he spent most of his youth in Oklahoma City. In 1960, while attending Classen high school, he earned his certificate in civil air patrol as a cadet. He met the love of his life, Sue Murphy, while they were both working at Aero Commander. After she caught his eye, he started anonymously sending her candies in the mail. Despite his quiet nature, he got the courage to call her up and ask her on a date to the movies! They were married at St. Charles Borromeo on March 16th, 1963, in a double wedding with Mike and Lana Murphy. The wedding was presided over by Father Paul Gallatin. Sue and Chet were incredibly blessed to have their daughter Suzi in 1970 and to celebrate 60 years of wedding anniversaries together. During their 60 years of marriage there were many adventures and trials which they faced as a couple, faithfully loving and serving one another, and God. In 1964 they moved from OKC to California. In 1965, Chet was hired at Diablo Canyon Nuclear power plant where he became a Senior Control Nuclear Reactor Operator. He retired from that position after 30 years, in 1996. Simultaneously he joined the Army reserves, where he earned the rank of Sargeant as Radio Operator-Maintainer, during his 9 years of service to our Country. Chet had many accomplishments in his lifetime. He was a Union Steward with the IBEW and a member of the Elks lodge #1538 for over 30 years in Santa Maria, CA. After retirement Chet enjoyed ocean fishing and for 5 years he did responsible live catch fishing for the Sushi Market. It took skill to keep the fish alive so that they could be used safely for Sushi.
Aside from his roles as a devoted husband and father, and his accomplishments, his role and work as a Deacon was one of his greatest honors and fulfillment. He was lovingly known to most as Deacon Chet. In 1998, together, he and Sue began faithfully traveling the 4 plus hours every week from their home in Santa Maria to attend courses in Los Angeles so he could become a Deacon. It took 4 years of dedicated hard work to complete the courses. To their joy and delight, he was ordained on June 8, 2002 by Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, Archbishop of Los Angeles. Over the course of many years they trained, earned their certificates and served as Catechists for Marriage Preparation from 1979-2016. They were directors of RCIA for many years and served in some capacity of youth ministry from 1979 to 2019. Deacon Chet trained for over a 5-year period to be certified as a Catechist for both adults and children. Chet was the spiritual director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and together he and Sue served in ministry to the poor. As a Deacon he presided over 6 weddings and 158 baptisms. He took his role in service very seriously, and his role as a Deacon was the pinnacle of his life’s work and his faithful service to God, whom he loved with all his heart.
In addition to their daughter Suzi, Chet and Sue have 13 God children and have been like surrogate parents and grandparents to more people than can be counted. Chet is dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.