Walter Clifton LeNoir

Walter Clifton LeNoir, age 83, of Pawhuska, OK, drew his last breath on February 18th, 2023, so that his soul could leave his flesh and ascend to Heaven to join our Lord and Savior.

Walter, Walt as he was commonly known was born November 2nd, 1939 to Gladys and Clifton McDonald LeNoir in Pawhuska, Ok. Walt was a graduate of Pawhuska High School and went on to study at Oklahoma State University. However, prior to graduating, Walt accepted the challenge of the times, and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps to fight in the Vietnam War. His journey into the Vietnam war started on October 20th, 1964 when he departed El Toro Marine Base in California to Japan and ultimately arriving in Vietnam in 1965.  Though the aftermath of the war would eventually take its toll on Walt, he knew that he was blessed to have come back and always held reverence for his fellow soldiers that never did.

Upon returning from Vietnam, married Catherine Whalen, had 3 awesome children, and went to work for McDonnell Douglas in California. The Cali life was never for him so he loaded up his truck and moved far from Beverly. He and his family moved back to Oklahoma at the end of 1972. In January of ‘73 he joined the Tulsa Police Department and served 25 plus years, retiring 1998. Walt was a dedicated Police Officer and has with his fellow Marines was all about comradery with his fellow police officers. He was a gifted athlete and thus joined several FOP sports teams and leagues. He played soccer, softball, basketball, handball, football, and bowling. He was all about hustle and giving it his all when he played. No one that ever watched him play could ever say otherwise. His competitive drive and determination showed both on and off the field.

If there was a limit to just one word that could be used to sum up Walt, it is by far and away “character”. The definition of character is the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.

Walt was an intelligent man that challenged himself and always sought out knowledge. He loved to read, kept abreast of current events, and would meticulously study and research task and projects to take on. He was a hands on guy and rarely paid for services that he could do himself. Fixing cars, to building workbenches and the shops they go in, and ultimately building his own home he was an example of self-determination.  Now do not misunderstand he was not perfect in some of these endeavors and thus valuable lessons were garnered for his children. Sometimes the what not do is more valuable in the long run. Thanks dad, I made sure to kill the breaker first!!

He was a moral man that lived by the Golden Rule. I do not know of a greater example of this than all the people that I run into throughout my career in a Law enforcement capacity that knew Walt and would volunteer good endearing words about him. What joy it sends to the heart to hear others say how great and wonderful a man your father was. He was firm but fair. His advice was sublime and his criticism was mostly constructive.

Walt is survived by his 3 children Robert Lance LeNoir and his wife Danean LeNoir, Clifton Scott LeNoir, and Katherine Dawn and her husband Dee Jay Berry. 9 grandchildren Mitchell LeNoir, Kyla LeNoir, Joseph Berry and his wife Darlene Berry, Jessica Brown and her husband Mathew Brown, Elijah LeNoir, Elizabeth LeNoir, Isaac LeNoir, Aric LeNoir and Isabella LeNoir. 8 nieces and nephews John Zaharis, Dawn Trietz Nathan Zaharis, Joel Zaharis, Mathew Zaharis, Dwyn Zaharis, Drue Zaharis and Jason Zaharis. And so many that were related to family and friends that he associated and was able touch with his engaging nature and infectious wit.

Walt was predeceased by his mother and father, sisters Amelia LeNoir and Tula and husband John Zaharis, nephews Barney Rex Pearson and David Zaharis.

Services will be held at Kendrick McCartney Johnson Funeral Home, Pawhuska, OK on February 25, 2023 at 2:00 PM. In Lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Wounded Warriors, Tunnels for Towers, DAV, or St. Jude’s Hospital all organizations that he generously gave. 

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