Joseph Chuculate Jr. was born February 22, 1945 in Arkansas City, KS to Joseph and Ira Belle (Ballard) Chuculate. He grew up in Hulbert, OK and attended Chilocco School. It was while he was in school in Newkirk, OK that he met his future wife, the former Linda Darlene Allen, who had moved there to help out her aunt and uncle and attend school. They were married August 12, 1967 and built a long and happy life together until her death last December.

Joseph joined the United States Navy in 1963 and was honorably discharged after ten years of service in 1973. His last base was the USS Ashtabula, a support ship. In 1974 Joseph began working for General Electric. When his work took him overseas beginning in 1975, Joseph and his family enjoyed living and working in such places as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Philippines and the United Kingdom. The last twenty years of his career Joseph moved the family to the Houston, Texas area where he was employed by NASA. He retired from his career as a jet engine engineer, and they moved to Wagoner, OK to spend their golden years.

Joseph departed this life on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at the Eastar Health System in Muskogee, OK at 71 years of age. He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Chuculate; his parents, Joseph Sr. and Ire Belle Chuculate; a son, Joseph Gene Chuculate; and two brothers, Kenneth Lee Chuculate and Richard Star "Knoxie" Chuculate.

Survivors include two daughters, Melissa Jo Trader and her husband, Daniel, of Houston, TX and Shawna Lynn Chuculate of Tulsa, OK; a grandson, Andrew Joseph Lukens; a great-grandson, Kaiden Joseph Lukens; two brothers, Wiley Chuculate and his wife, Gwen, of Wagoner, OK and Dewitt Chuculate of Hulbert, OK; one sister, Sharon Chuculate of Wagoner, OK; numerous nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

The family and friends will gather at 2:00 PM Saturday, October 15, 2016 at Mallett Funeral Home and Crematory Chapel for a Viewing and Visitation, with the Service to honor and celebrate Joseph's life to follow at 3:00 PM.

Cremation services will be provided by Mallett Funeral Home and Crematory.