Eugene Edward Sellmeyer, an exceptionally Great Man, died on June 4, 2022. Gene died on his Collinsville Ranch in the Washington County home he built with his own hands over a seven-year period. Born on January 16, 1929, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he was the last of nine children of Martha (Eckelkamp) and Frank C. Sellmeyer. At the age of 10, his father died, and Gene would grow up a boy in a man’s world. He would become a pillar of the community and a leader wherever he was involved. Gene would serve years as a Captain on the Tulsa Fire Department from 1957 – 1983 at Stations 5, 3 and 31; Board Member of the Firefighters Pension Board; President & Board Member of the Collinsville School Board, and Chairman & Board Member of Rural Water District #3. His love for aviation as a commercially licensed pilot, led him to envision and develop Skyhaven Airpark in his mid-sixties. Skyhaven, which has the longest grass runway in the state of Oklahoma, would be the largest of his Real Estate Developments.
He graduated from East Central High School in the small Class of 1947. Gene honorably served our nation as a Marine in the Korean War. In 1958 he would say that he married “the pick of the litter” in his wife of almost 64 years, Helena. They were a noticeable handsome pair with undying love, shared values, and beliefs.
Gene was a defender of the marginalized and defenseless and was always ready to give a hand up. His family is filled with immense gratitude for his life lived out in service to others. Strong, Sacrificial, Humble, Humorous … Legendary. His word was his bond. His handshake, unforgettable and meaningfully strong. His heart was the only thing bigger than his hands. His wisdom was prophetic. No one ever worked harder than this man… and he did it to provide for so many over the years – beyond his family and beyond anything financial. He lived his life by an example to be followed. The sirens have stilled, and the bell has tolled. Well done good and faithful servant.
Gene is survived by his sweet wife, Helena Luisa (Rojas) Sellmeyer of the home; his 4 daughters that adored him: Mary E. “Lisa” Campbell of Chino, California; Donna Weinkauf (Kirk) of Tulsa Oklahoma; Kathy Thomas (John) of North Richland Hills, Texas and Jeanna Sellmeyer (Gina Mix) of Collinsville, Oklahoma; his most loved 8 Grandchildren: Amy Campbell of Chino, California; Megan Martinez (Joey) of Murrieta, California; Derek Weinkauf (Megan) of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Kent Weinkauf (Madison) of Houston, Texas; Danielle Eidam (Al) of Houston, Texas; Whitney Bentley (Eric) of Fort Worth, Texas; Trevor Thomas (Rachel) of North Richland Hills, Texas; and Martha Stevens (Terry) of Collinsville, Oklahoma; and his precious 11+ Great-Grandchildren: Zachary and Xavier Martinez; David Weinkauf; Annabella Weinkauf; Mary Eidam; Sean, Alyssa and Helena Bentley; and Evelyn, Joanna and Amelia Stevens. No doubt, Gene left an indelible mark on his family, friends, and communities where his legacy will live well beyond the 93 years that God ordained for him on this earth.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Martha (Eckelkamp) and Frank C. Sellmeyer of Tulsa, Oklahoma; all his siblings: Arville Sellmeyer of Oologah, Oklahoma; Malvin Sellmeyer of Scurry, Texas; Augusta Sellmeyer of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Alfred Sellmeyer of Denton, Texas; Rosalee Izett of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Romayne Sellmeyer of Claremore, Oklahoma, Frank Sellmeyer of Bixby, Oklahoma and Raymond Sellmeyer of Vinita, Oklahoma and 2 Grandchildren: Matthew Campbell of Chino, California and Barry Absec of Chino, California.
Please join us in prayer and honor him and our family at the following funeral services that are being planned:
Funeral Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, June 20th – 10:00am at Holy Family Cathedral (820 South Boulder Avenue – Tulsa, Oklahoma)
*Internment & Hwy 169 Procession to Immediately Follow – St. Therese Catholic Church Cemetery – Collinsville, Oklahoma
Rosary: Sunday, June 19th – 3:00pm at St. Therese Catholic Church (1007 North 19th Street – Collinsville, OK)
In lieu of flowers … please consider donations In Memory of Gene Sellmeyer to John 3:16 Mission www.John316Mission.org or to St. Therese Cemetery (1007 19th Street, Collinsville, OK 74021)
Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso. www.moweryfs.com
