Milton Joe Boydstun passed away on February 28, 2026. He was born in Caddo, Oklahoma on July 25, 1930, to Viola Ware Boydstun and Alfred Emmett Boydstun. He spent his early childhood in Caddo, before finishing his high school as a Central High School Cardinal.

As a young boy his fondest memories were walking with his dad who was the town's lawman and fondly known as "Uncle Emmett." One time his dad was breaking up a fight and his gun fell out of the holster. Joe picked it up and held it while his dad walked them to jail. At that time, Bryan County was like the old wild west shows on television.

Joe and his family moved to Oklahoma City where he started going to Harding Middle School, then Central High School. Right before school started his brother sold the house to move away and get married. Dad's mom went to live in New Jersey and his dad went to Caddo. Joe lived in the house two days before a good friend came and offered him a place to live. He spent his senior year living with Randy's parents. He was given special permission to play football by the school. His senior year he was the quarterback on the football team and had great success. He was offered two scholarships to play football in college. After his senior year he tried college but dropped out after two weeks. He joined the Army instead and headed to Ft. Hood, then to Korea. Many times, he should have been killed but God spared his life. He had already lost one brother who was killed and one who was severely injured. Joe received two purple hearts for his service.

After the war Joe made it back home and married the love of his life, Thelma Lee Schindler, on November 11, 1951. Their marriage lasted almost sixty-four years before her death in 2015.

Shortly after he married Thelma, Joe began a long career working at W&W Steel company. He retired in 1997 to begin another career of taking care of his wife who was confined to a wheelchair.

Joe was a man of faith who loved to sing and did so in many churches in Oklahoma City. He started going to the City Rescue Mission to lead the worship while Fred Cherry preached. In his later years he became a true prayer warrior, lifting up his family and many friends to the throne of Heaven daily. He spent five to six hours a day in prayer and Bible study. His faith in Jesus and the word of God is what sustained him all these years.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma Lee; son, Russell Boydstun; and great-granddaughter, Adria Wells.

He is survived by his children, Pam Nance (Jack), Mike Boydstun (Brenda), Bob Boydstun (Barbara), and Steve Boydstun (Jennifer); 12 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Ruth Boydstun, and brother-in-law, Fred Schindler.

We want to thank Integris Home Healthcare and ACG Hospice for their heart of love while caring for Milton, "Joe." We are so thankful for the prayers, cards, texts and phone calls during this time. Joe is now singing in Heaven walking the streets of gold with the Savior.

Viewing will be Tuesday, March 3, 12:00-8:00 p.m. with family present from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Mercer-Adams Funeral Service. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2:00 p.m. at Mercer-Adams Chapel with interment in Resurrection Memorial Cemetery.