John Julia Selby, age 94, a Crowley, TX resident, formerly a longtime resident of Atoka, OK, was born on Thursday, August 27, 1925, to Walter and Julia Mae (Edwards) Selby, at Temporary, OK. John passed away on Monday, March 30, 2020 at Crowley, TX. He attended Atoka and Stringtown Elementary Schools in Oklahoma, Hobbs Elementary School in New Mexico. John was a retired Licensed Plumbing Contractor and owner of ACE Plumbing. He married Oneda Gray on November 9, 1946 at Denison, TX. She preceded him in death. He was of the Pentecostal Faith. Everyone who knew Papa John loved him! His family was his deepest love and life. He loved spending time with his "kids". He adored his Wife and Queen and especially enjoyed seeing what she came home with from Hobby Lobby and Stage. He took great pride in being a Licensed Plumber and his family teased him about who he loved more – Nana or his backhoe? He would just smile that little grin that he had and walk away! His work ethic cannot be questioned. He helped his wife, children, and grandchildren obtain a Welding School Certification, an Associate Degree, five Bachelor Degrees, three Master Degrees, and a Pre-Doctoral Degree. Not bad for a man with only a 6th grade education. He was a man of faith and integrity. He came to know his Lord through the Salvation Army while he was just a young boy living in Hobbs, New Mexico. When he gave you his word, it meant something. He was generous, sometimes to a fault. He was always ready to give, especially toward youth programs, the elderly in need, church growth, and he fed many hungry souls that he didn't even know, but he saw their need. He never complained even when most would have. He would just reply, "I guess that it's because I turned 39." He enjoyed reminiscing and telling stories of him driving a truck, working at Borax and his great and grand adventures.  He did not accumulate a great deal of wealth, land or money, but he was rich with the things that truly matter. He loved life! He enjoyed 94 years of being able to provide wonderful Christmas and vacation memories for his family, seeing his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren be born and watch them play, grow, and have wonderful lives, and be able to spend time going on trips with his Queen. He loved playing his harmonica and using his "habit". He was a wonderful, patient and kind gentleman who will be greatly missed here on this earth but will be welcomed in Heaven by many of his loved ones that have been waiting on him to arrive.
John is survived by his daughters, Gayle and Kristi; grandchildren, Kimberly, Tanya, John Keith and Allie; great grandchildren, 12; great great grandchildren, 3; brother and wife, Lonnie and Elvina Selby; very special and precious niece, Tressie Damron; along with many loved nieces and nephews and life long friends and faithful customers
John was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Julia Mae (Edwards) Selby; wife and queen of 66 years, Oneda Gray Selby; Wayne Selby; great granddaughter, Madelyn Bess; siblings, George Carlton Selby, Lela Selby Lee Selby, Thelma Selby Chick; special friend, Tom Woolf.
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DATE OF SERVICES: 11:00 AM Thursday, April 2nd, 2020
PLACE OF SERVICES: Tushka Cemetery, Tushka, Oklahoma
OFFICIATING: Kent Gray and Shirley Gray
INTERMENT: Tushka Cemetery, Tushka, Oklahoma
CASKETBEARERS:
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS:
CONDOLENCES MAY BE SENT TO THE FAMILY BY EMAIL TO: BROWNS@ATOKA.NET.  PLEASE REFERENCE THE NAME OF THE DECEASED IN YOUR CORRESPONDENCE