Joseph Calvin Sewell

Class of 1945

1945 Graduation Edition
Perry Daily Journal
Joe Sewell

– son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Sewell, route 1, Perry, the Perry student was born July 30, 1927, in Perry. He attended Rose Hill district 32 school before enrolling here.

He took part in both the junior and senior class plays as he progressed through the grades of PHS, has been junior Rotarian, on the Teen Town council, mayor of Teen Town, and assistant editor of the Perry high school paper – in addition to playing football for four years and taking part in wrestling. He is a two-year football letterman.

Joe wants to join the navy as soon as he gets out of high school, then he plans later to attend college and study agriculture.

Joseph Calvin Sewell

July 30, 1927 – February 6, 2023


Joseph “Joe” Calvin Sewell Jr., age 95, of Perry, Oklahoma, passed away on February 6, 2023, in Yukon, Oklahoma. He was born on July 30, 1927, in Perry, Oklahoma, to Joseph and Elva (Gordon) Sewell.

Joe grew up in Perry on his dad’s farm located North of Perry on Blackbear, though he split time on both this farm and the Sewell Farm. His time visiting his grandmother’s farm was spent milking cows, doing other chores, and visiting with his family. He enjoyed spending time with his grandmother and grandfather at their nearby farm, and thought it was nice to go back and forth.

Joe proudly served his country in the United States Navy in WWII from 1945 to 1946. Joe graduated from OSU in 1950 and taught agricultural sciences in Corn, Oklahoma, while living in Weatherford, where he met his wife. He was there for one year until a tornado came through Corn. The tornado ripped through the school he was teaching, destroying resources and the building. After this he went to work selling for Jake Simms Commission company. He worked there for 2.5 years selling hogs and sheep, mostly in the morning, and shifting to helping with cattle in the afternoon.

He came back to Perry, and to the farm, when his dad needed help. He worked in the agricultural science office for over nine years as a field supervisor until taking on a new role at FB&T of Perry. He worked at FB&T for 40 years, and was president for three years before retiring in 1999. He remained a member of the FB&T bank board for nearly 60 years. Joe’s farm was presented the Oklahoma Centennial Farm Award in 2021. The family has raised cattle and provided grasslands since his grandparents John and Winona Sewell settled the land in 1915.

Survivors include: his sons, Shawn Sewell and Joseph Sewell; granddaughter, Shannon Nichols; grandson, Michael Sewell; great-granddaughter, Andyn Nichols; and great-grandson, Cavin Nichols.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Elva Sewell and his wife, JoAnn Sewell.

Funeral services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Perry on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. with Pastor Ron Fike officiating. Joe will be laid to rest at Grace Hill Cemetery following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Noble County Fairgrounds.