JoAnn Petree
1937-2014
JoAnn "Crabby" Gayle Petree passed away on Tuesday December 16, 2014 after two courageous battles with breast cancer.
She touched the lives of many with her amazing attitude and her loving spirit. JoAnn was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and graduated from Putnam City High School in 1955. Her family moved to Amarillo, Texas where she started a family of her own. She moved back to Midwest City, Oklahoma in 1965 where she began a career at Tinker Air Force Base. She worked in several positions there and received numerous accommodations for her outstanding service. "Crabby" (as her children affectionately named her) spent countless hours crocheting hats, booties, scarves and blankets for those close to her. From sending camouflage hats to the troops in Afghanistan, to making booties for children undergoing chemotherapy, it was her gift to bring joy to others. It is our belief that Crabby's treasures can be found all over the globe.
She had a passion for Sooner Football, Thunder Basketball, and Chicago Cubs Baseball. It is for that reason, that her remains will be scattered at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. She loved being a part of any activity involving her grandchildren, and spent many days in a lawn chair behind home plate. Mike Brown and Tami Torres will forever have a special place in Crabby's heart as they were always there to help her.
JoAnn is survived by her children Michael Petree of Newport Beach, CA, Deborah Brown of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Joseph and Jacqueline Petree of Park Ridge, Illinois. She is also survived by her grandchildren Zachary Brown of Edmond, Oklahoma; Jackson Petree and Justin Petree of Park Ridge; Illinois, and Sienna Petree and Ryan Willison of Newport Beach, CA; her nieces and nephews; and the rest of her family and friends. JoAnn is preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Lillie Deason; as well as her sister, Jean Hollabaugh; and her brother Donald Deason.
JoAnn's wish is for memorial contributions to be made in her honor to Susan G. Komen of Central and Western Oklahoma, 115 Park Avenue, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102.
