By Staff
KLAMETH FALLS, Ore. - Jesse Woodrow Overstreet, 86, went to be with Jesus on June 19, 2009. He died in Klamath Falls, Ore., with family at his bedside.
Jesse was a Poarch Creek Indian Tribal Elder born on Dec. 9, 1922 to Lola Colbert and Mabon Overstreet in Huxford.
His mother died when we was young and at the age of 17 he came west with the Civilian Conservation Corps to work as a mason helping build the National Lava Beds Monument in Tulelake, Calif., site of the Modoc Indian War. He also worked building the Japanese internment camp there after the war began. A few years ago, his story and photos of this interesting time spent were published in a Shaw Library book.
He met and married Peggy Tuter in 1943 and soon after enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving for two and a half years on a ship in the South Pacific. He then came home and settled in Klamath Falls, where he started his family while working in various mills as a millwright until he retired.
Jesse was very involved with his children’s lives, teaching them to enjoy and play baseball. He grew large, beautiful gardens to share with friends and strangers alike. He has a giving and loving heart, never speaking in of anyone.
He was a loving caregiver to his wife, Peggy, before her death in April 2007 and his daughter, Evelyn, who was born with special needs. He was a hard worker, building and fixing anything and teaching his sons to do the same. He enjoyed his grandchildren and always warned them “not to take any wooden nickels!” as they left his presence.
He recently developed a relationship with his Savior, Jesus, and died peacefully knowing that he would soon be reunited with family above, especially his mother.
He is survived by his daughters, Evelyn Overstreet and Stephanie Wilder; sons, Donald Overstreet and Gary Overstreet and his wife, Robin; grandchildren, Adrian Worley, Dayna and Don Sisemore, Darcy and Jason, Michael and Carissa Overstreet, Rob and Patty Overstreet, Lita Overstreet and Talon and Gracie Overstreet; great-grandchildren, Josh, Jake and Elle Overstreet and Raelyn and Zander Sisemore; special nieces, Diane Allison and Lola Beltrum; special nephews Ralph and Johnny and other numerous relatives.
He remained close to his siblings from Alabama throughout his life. They are Lois and Fred Presley, Mary Overstreet, Robert “Joe” and Linda Overstreet and Jerry and Virginia Overstreet.
He was preceded in death by siblings, Thomas Allen, Susie, Arthur, John, Charlie, Myrtle and Lola.
Celebration of Life Services were held at 11 a.m. on Fri., June 26, 2009 at Davenport’s Chapel of the Good Shepherd with graveside honors immediately following at Klamath Memorial Park in Klamath Falls. Donations may be sent to Klamath Falls Veterans of Foreign Wars or a charity of your choice.