Dcn. Chester Allen Bartlett Jr.

Deacon Chester Allen Bartlett Jr. died on March 24, 2023. He was born on Oct. 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. Deacon 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. 

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. 

The two were married at Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church on March 16, 1963, in a double wedding with Mike and Lana Murphy. Sue and Deacon 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 Oklahoma City to California. 

In 1965, Deacon 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. 

He was a union steward with the IBEW and a member of the Elks lodge No.1538 for over 30 years in Santa Maria, Calif. After retirement he enjoyed ocean fishing and for five 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 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 to 2016. 

As a deacon he presided over six 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, Deacon Chet and Sue had 13 Godchildren and have been like surrogate parents and grandparents to more people than can be counted. 

His funeral was held March 30. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on March 31. Both services were at Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Warr Acres, and he is buried at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery. 

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 Saint Vincent de Paul at Saint Charles Borromeo (stcharlesokc.org) or a charity of their choosing.