Lieutenant Colonel Robert Clarence Jurko USAFR, Ret.

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Clarence Jurko, USAFR, Ret., 94, of Oklahoma City, returned to his heavenly father on September 13, 2023. He was born May 14, 1929 in Detroit, Michigan to Michael Edward Jurko, Sr. and Suzanne Lazor-Jurko. He was raised in Cleveland, Ohio along with his older brother, Michael Edward Jurko, Jr.

During his high school years, he worked for the Cleveland Newspaper Plants as a “flyman” joggling newspapers. He then went on to college to obtain a B.S. in GEOLOGY from Adelbert College of Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio followed by a MASTERS in GEOLOGY from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Following college, Robert joined the USAF as an AVIATION CADET. During his active duty he was promoted to 2nd LIEUTENANT, then 1st LIEUTENANT, before going into the USAF RESERVES. During his active duty as a Lieutenant, he received 2 outstanding awards from the USAF: (1) DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS for spy missions, and (2) MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL for good service.

Robert was finishing up his active duty as a Lieutenant when he met Loretta Ann Fox in Topeka, Kansas as she was completing her 3-yr nursing certificate program from St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing. They were married on JULY 7, 1956. In their 22 years of marriage, they had 4 children together: Thomas Robert Jurko, Brian Michael Jurko, Michele Ann Jurko, and Richard Alan Jurko.

As a Geologist and a 1st Lieutenant in the USAF Reserves, Robert obtained work with Shell Oil in Tulsa, Oklahoma until the oil boom crashed. He changed his career direction and obtained a BS in BUSINESS, followed by a CPA CERTIFICATE from the Oklahoma City University. He became an AUDITOR for the DEPT OF COMMERCE/BUREAU OF PUBLIC ROAD which evolved into the OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION until he retired from the federal government. During this time in his life, the USAF had also promoted him from 1st Lieutenant to CAPTAIN, to MAJOR and then later LIEUTENANT COLONEL JURKO before retirement with the USAF RESERVES.

After retiring from the federal government, Robert went to work as an AUDITOR for the OKC DEPT OF HUMAN SERVICES; CHILD SUPPORT DIV until he retired again, but this time from the state of Oklahoma.

Robert married Garreline Ann Heflin from Fairfax, Oklahoma on FEBRUARY 11, 1989. They resided in Oklahoma City. Garreline had 2 children of her own: Gari Anne Ebert and Keith H. Ebert II. They spent 34 years together until Garreline’s passing on August 21, 2023. They were well-known members of the Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church in Oklahoma City, and there is no doubt that after the 23rd day after Garreline’s passing, Robert went to be with his beloved Garreline and all their loved ones in heaven.

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Clarence Jurko, USAF, father, husband, provider, was an intelligent man with a strong Catholic faith and hard-working ethics. He was of high moral character and a strong disciplinarian living an exemplary life for his children. He had a wonderful sense of humor with a hearty laugh and light-heartedness that brought joy to those around him, and he had kindness and compassion to those who were in need for it. He will be at peace now with Garreline and all his loved ones. His legacy will not be forgotten by all those he leaves behind, until we get to see him again.

A visitation for Robert will be held Tuesday, September 19, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

A Mass of Christian Burial will occur Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 10:30 AM at Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church, 7336 West Britton Road, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Resurrection Memorial Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.chapelhill-okc.com for the Jurko family.