Joseph Charles “JC” Klusmeyer
ODESSA Joseph Charles “JC” Klusmeyer, 67, met his Lord at the finish line on Aug. 7, 2009, after sustaining head injuries from a motorcycle accident in Hulett, Wyo. He passed away in Rapid City, S.D., with his loving wife, Susie, his children and siblings by his side.
He was born at home (and almost ahead of the doctor) to Jacob Charles and Dorothy Marie DeArmond-Klusmeyer in Banner, Okla., on Aug. 13, 1941. He moved with his family to Odessa in 1952, spending the rest of his life in the town he felt was his true home.
JC’s love for horsepower and speed was apparent at an early age. As a young man in the 1950s, his passion was to race motorcycles professionally. For many years he lived this passion, and from the late sixties to early seventies, JC and his brother Don owned Klusmeyer Motorcycle Parts and Accessories. Even today his name is recognized and associated with his experiences and exploits on and off the track. During that time of his youth, he met and fell in love with Barbara Maxine Hall. They married Dec. 31, 1958. This union produced two children; daughter, Traci Lyne and son, Larry Scott. Even though JC was in the top of the racing ranking, the profession was still young and the chances of making a living there were slim, he pursued racing as a part time endeavor. With a growing family, he naturally began work in the oilfield. He worked as a roughneck, driller, tool pusher, with Wharton Drilling. For a time though, he did leave the oilfield. Working for Ervin Plumbing, he became a licensed plumber and ran the water well drilling part of the business.
After a while, the oil industry called again, and he went to work for a good friend of his, Jack Parks. He continued to manage Tillery and Parks for a few years after Jack passed away. He then began his association with Galveston-Houston Co., which included Foster power tongs, and traveled for them as a service specialist all over the world, from South America to the Middle East. He and his family prospered and his passion for his motorcycles was still strong. Because of this dedication to his work and the trust of his customers, in 1980 he had the opportunity to begin Klusmeyer, Inc., here in Odessa.
Then sadly, in January 1984, JC’s wife Barbara passed away shortly after the couple celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.
JC met the second love in his life, Susie King-Campbell and they married on Feb. 9, 1986. Susie had two children from a previous marriage, Bonda and Willy, and according to JC, he happily raised two families.
After 15 years of business, JC wanted to have a little more leisure time and sold his inventory to Oil Country Mfg, Inc. He and Susie were able to travel for a while, but this time as promoting the OCM product line. They met and cooked BBQ for many well service people around the country and into Canada. After a couple of years the need for his knowledge and reputation brought him back to work as manager for OCM in Odessa. In 1998, he helped Susie realize her dream and together they owned and operated Shoppe Unique until 2002. In 2000, when Weatherford, Inc. bought OCM, he was there to help continue his commitment to his customers and make the “changing of the guard” a little smoother.
In December 2008, another opportunity presented itself as he assumed the position of General Manager for Howard Supply Company and began the task of building a central repair center here in Odessa.
JC had a large heart and was adored by his many friends. He cared deeply about his friends and loved their families as well. If you met him once, you had a friend for life. His personality was as unique as his name and as equally unforgettable. He was a kind and gentle spirit dedicated to his family and friends, but also had a feisty streak that kept them on their toes. JC would be in awe at the outpouring of sympathy and the expressions of love by so many he touched in his day-to-day life. He was a humble man and felt he should be the friend rather than have the friend. We believe he would be touched beyond words.
A loving father and husband, JC is survived by Susie, his wife of 23 years; daughters, Traci Lyne Baer of Odessa, Bonda and husband John Elder of Odessa; sons, Larry Scott and wife Manuela Sabine Klusmeyer of Odessa, Willy and wife Mary “Missy” Campbell of Casper, Wyo., and Joe Baer of Odessa; brother, Donald Klusmeyer of Odessa; sisters, Wanda Faye and husband Jim Williams of Lexington, Okla., Nancy Ann and husband Freddy McKee of Odessa, Nelda Kay and husband Joel Walker of Odessa, Terri Lea and husband L.D. Brooker of Kingsland, Texas; grandchildren, Michael, Phillip, Jody and Shealah Baer, Hogan, Hardie and Maggie Elder, all of Odessa, Audrey Campbell of Rush Springs, Okla., Taylor and Dalyn Campbell of Casper, Wyo.; great-grandchildren, Braeden Allard of Odessa, Bryson and Beckett Baer of Odessa, and he was looking forward to welcoming Brennan Baer into the family this October. Many numerous loving nieces, nephews, and cousins will miss him also.
JC was doing what he loved, riding motorcycles, right up to and at the time of the accident, and he was very happy. It is because of this that we are able to celebrate his life.
JC, like any hard worker, enjoyed his free time, but his hobbies leaned toward the two and four-wheel variety. He also enjoyed miniature trains. If you could ask JC, his journey through life turned out to be a joyful ride.
Family and friends will join together for a time of sharing and storytelling on Friday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the chapel at Frank Wilson Funeral Directors.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, at Crossroads Fellowship with Rev. Griffin Jones officiating and Alan Neff assisting.
In Lieu of flowers, the family feels that the best way to honor JC would be to donate to a charity of your choice so that others could be helped in his name.
On-line condolences may be made at www.mem.com.
Services entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors.
