Charles Reuben Kleist Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Charles Reuben Kleist, 73, of Muskogee was born February 7, 1944 in Rome, New York to Charles and Irene (Bare) Kleist and peacefully passed away Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at the Jack C Montgomery Veterans Hospital in Muskogee with his family by his side. Charlie grew up and attended school in Rome, NY. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1961-1964. Charlie and Mary Lee met while he was in Oklahoma on work travel. They were married on July 26, 1969 and thereafter raised three loving daughters. After working in industrial jobs for many years, he began his career in the culinary arts. A love he held for cooking and managing led to his own restaurant Taco Chico in Guthrie, OK. He later managed various restaurants for KFC and Taco Bell winning numerous awards for sales and honors in management. He will be remembered as a great boss and manager by his employees. After his first retirement, Charlie began a catering business where he could feature his skills at cooking and food presentation. In his younger years, Charlie enjoyed spending holidays and family vacations at the cabin on the Rackett River, between N.Y. State and Canada, fishing for trout or fishing with his parents and brothers for Northern Pike on the St. Lawrence River. Charlie shared his love of fishing with his children, grandkids and great grandkids when he could. He loved to garden, sing and share his love for Jesus Christ. Charlie was a faithful member of Fort Gibson First Baptist Church where he sang in the choir and served faithfully. His happiest times were those spent with his family. Charlie will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles Albert Kleist and Irene May Bare-Kleist both of Salisbury Center, NY. Charles is survived by his wife; Mary Lee of the home; daughters, Mary Beth Timothy and husband John of Muskogee, OK; Becky James of Broken Arrow, OK; Jennifer Soto and husband Santos of Fort Gibson, OK; granddaughters, Erin Wilson of Muskogee, OK; Sierra Soto of Fort Gibson, OK; grandsons, Wesley Nelson of Muskogee and Brodey Nelson of Maple Falls, WA; Adam James of Broken Arrow, OK; Tyler Jenkins of Muskogee, OK; grandson in-law, Scott Wilson of Muskogee, OK; great grandsons, Jaxon and Tate Wilson of Muskogee, OK; Two brothers, Rick Kleist and wife Steph; Bill Kleist and wife Claudia of NY; Two Sisters, Caroline Drake and husband Ron of NY; Marion Riedl and husband John of Michigan; his church family and many friends. A family conducted memorial service for Charlie will be held 1:00 PM Monday, November 20, 2017 in the Fort Gibson First Baptist Church with Pastor Don Blankenship officiating. The family of Charles Reuben Kleist has entrusted his care and cremation to Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Fort Gibson 918-478-2555 Online condolences may be left at clifforddgarrettfamilyfh.com

Charles Reuben Kleist

February 7, 1944 - November 14, 2017