Jo Ann Fugate

Jo Ann Fugate, whose given name was Darlene Joan Fugate, passed away peacefully at her home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on September 21, 2026, with her loving husband, Jimmie Fugate, by her side. She was born on March 31, 1947, in Terlton, Oklahoma, and lived a life marked by kindness, devotion, and deep love for her family.

She attended Terlton and Mannford Public Schools and carried with her throughout life the values of hard work and care for others. Over the years, she served as a correspondent for Sears, worked as an office manager for a carrier service, and managed a post exchange in Weisvaden, Germany. In every role, she was known as loving, kind, caring, and always willing to help the people around her.

Jo Ann shared nearly 63 years of marriage with Jimmie, a partnership filled with love, loyalty, and adventure. Among her proudest accomplishments were her family and the many memories she and Jimmie made traveling the world together, including 25 cruises. She was also remembered as an excellent cook, someone who brought comfort and joy to those around her not only through her presence, but through the meals and gatherings she lovingly prepared.

Her home and heart were always centered on family. She found special happiness in sewing clothes for her grandchildren, especially her granddaughters, delighting in dressing them like dolls. She also loved planning family reunions, bringing loved ones together and making sure connections stayed strong across the years. One family story that brought smiles was her longtime belief that her name was “Jo Ann Darlene,” only to discover while filling out paperwork for the military that her name was actually Darlene Joan!

She is survived by her husband, Jimmie Fugate; her son, Jimmy Fugate and daughter-in-law, Cindy, and son Charles Fugate and daughter-in-law, Kathey; grandchildren, Eli Fugate, Iris Fugate, Ashley Retana, Jeyson Retana, Chelsea Fugate, JJ Fugate, Jack Fugate, and Sam Fugate and great-grandchildren, Jasmine Retana, and Damian Retana; sister, Shirley Philips; and by her brothers, Tom (Elsie) Burgess, Gary Burgess, Ray (Dottie) Burgess, Leslie (Barbara) Burgess, and Steve (Nancy) Burgess. Her love reached across generations, and her family will remember her as a steady, caring presence whose generosity shaped their lives in lasting ways.

She was preceded in death by her father, Dewey Burgess; her mother, Ruth Burgess; her brothers, Dewey Burgess Jr. and Kenny Burgess; and her sister, Linda Pettit.

Jo Ann leaves behind a legacy of love, family devotion, hospitality, and kindness. She will be deeply missed and tenderly remembered by all who were blessed to know her.

A memorial service will be held on October 3, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Church of Christ, 209 W Delaware St., Cleveland, Oklahoma 74020.

In lieu of flowers, Jo Ann's family asks that donations be made to Dale's Veterans. 
Support Dale’s Veterans by donating online at https://www.dalesveterans.org/giving-page
or by mailing your contribution to:
P.O. Box 96, Washington, OK 73093