Arthur "Art" Martin Radke

On Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at The Journey Home in Bartlesville, Art Radke entered his final victory and received the inheritance he was promised at his baptism. To God be all praise and glory as we celebrate the life of Arthur (Art) M. Radke and rejoice in his victory over death through Christ. Art was born on January 31, 1930, in Chelsea, Oklahoma, to Martin George Henry Radke and Frieda Maria Katharina (Doenig) Radke, who sought to raise him in the fear and admonition of the Lord. He was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Adair. Art grew up on a farm outside of Chelsea, received his eight-year parochial school education, and graduated from Chelsea High School in 1949. Following graduation, he enlisted in the Air Force for an active four-year term, which was then extended by the Air Force to a four-year inactive or standby duty. He served during the Korean War and was assigned to the European theatre as part of the last occupation forces. Art was able during this time to continue pursuing his educational goals, specializing in ground and aerial photography as well as electronics. God blessed Art with the gift of a loving and supportive wife, Jo Ann (Brown) Radke, who shared his life for 63 years. Art and Jo Ann married on August 18, 1956, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Adair, Oklahoma. The Lord blessed the couple with three precious children: Lisa, Curtis, and Susan. Art was both a methods engineer and a design engineer for components in the aircraft and aerospace industry. Throughout his career he served as Plant Manager, General Manager, and finally President of Electro National Corporation in Canton, Mississippi. One of the accomplishments of which Art was proudest was his involvement in the design and development of several of the life support sub-systems for the Lunar Module. Following an explosion and near disaster of Apollo 13, the Lunar module was used as a lifeboat for the safe return of its crew to earth. Following his Honorable Discharge, Art returned to Oklahoma and was actively involved at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Tulsa. He served on various committees, including Chairman of the Building Committee for a major expansion program at Our Savior. After moving to Bartlesville, Art and Jo Ann were active members of Redeemer Lutheran Church. Art was also involved with and served as Chairman of the Oklahoma District Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Art was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Frieda Radke; his sisters, Mildred Schnackenberg (Bud), Viola Schulze (Milton), and Lorna Goedecke (Martin); his children, Curtis Lynn (27) and Susan Kay (13) Radke, both of whom died of Cystic Fibrosis; and his wife Jo Ann (Brown) Radke. Art is survived by his daughter, Lisa Lessing of Bartlesville, OK; his grandchildren, Abi Eaton (Adam), Jonathan Lessing, Lori Fountain (AJ), all of Fort Collins, Colorado; and four great-grandchildren, Meryl, Abel, Asher, and Simone; his sister, Naomi Radke of Paris, Texas; his brother-in-law, Vernon Brown; and sister-in-law, Beth Rumble; and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to The Journey Home, 900 NE Washington Blvd., Bartlesville, OK 74006. Visitation will be held from 12-5 p.m. Sunday, June 2, at Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel, 4201 Nowata Road, Bartlesville, OK 74006, 918-333-7665. Funeral services for Mr. Radke will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, June 3, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Bartlesville, with the Rev. William Shupe officiating. Private family interment will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church Cemetery in Adair, OK. Arrangements are under the direction of the Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory - Walker Brown Chapel. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.

Arthur "Art" Martin Radke

January 31, 1930 - May 28, 2024