Obituary for John Happ

John Happ

August 3, 1944 — December 23, 2024

John Thomas Happ, age 80, of Ponca City, celebrated his heavenly birthday on Monday, December 23, 2024. John was born in Rockford, Illinois, to Laverne and Marie (Broman) Happ on August 3rd, 1944. He grew up in Rockford, Illinois, and as a young boy, he drove his bicycle around town and sold ice cream bars to kids in the neighborhood. He also loved road trips with his family to California, and John sure could tell those stories enthusiastically. After high school, he moved to California for a few months and worked in a camera shop. It was short-lived, and he returned home to Illinois and took classes at Rockford College. He transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. After college, John enlisted in the United States Navy and proudly served his country on active duty for four years. He then served as a reservist for another 21 years, retiring with the distinguished rank of Commander. John worked for many years in Employee Relations at Clark Oil in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Conoco Oil in Ponca City, Oklahoma. After he retired from Conoco, he was the General Manager at Advanced Specialty Chemical Company and owned Happ Rentals. For the past 12 years, he has served on the Board of Directors for the Cherokee Strip Credit Union in Ponca City and was also the Board Chairman for the Cherokee Strip Insurance Agency. Two positions he was very proud of and dedicated to. He was very active with the Republican Party of Kay County and was passionate about politics. He was also a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Ponca City.

In his spare time, John loved to read John Grisham novels and books about finance, watch Fox News and NCIS, spend time with his family, tend his vegetable garden, be the family grill master, blend a fantastic Brandy Alexander, and tell a story like no other. Over the years, John was fortunate to be a world traveler with the Navy, work, and pleasure. Some of his favorite places were Japan, Tahiti, Hawaii, and Mexico. His family shared some of those travels with him, and many memories were made and will be cherished.

John is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Cheryl (Rixmann) Happ of Ponca City; daughters Amy (Timothy) Mozey of Farmington, MN; Julie (Joseph) Niswonger of Grafton, WI; Tammy (Mathew) Holzer of Cedarburg, WI; Elizabeth Webster of Broken Arrow, OK; Kirsten (Clint) Goodger of Marland, OK; son Andrew (Elise) Happ of Ponca City, OK; grandchildren Rachel (Mason) Myers, Aaron Mozey, Nicholas (Alexa) Niswonger, Harrison (Miranda) Niswonger, Benjamin Niswonger; Logan, Brady & Mason Holzer, Colton Goodger, Owen Happ; great-grandchildren Sophie & Charlie Myers and James Niswonger. He is also survived by his sister Constance (Gerald) Olin of Ft. Myers, FL., nephews Tom and David Olin, and many other dear family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Laverne & Marie Happ, and step-father Harrold Applequist.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made online to the Oklahoma Warriors Honor Flight. https://oklahomawarriors.org/donate

The online guest registry is available at www.gracememorialchapel.net