Tributes

Cody Shane Chezem was born April 24, 1959 to Jack Chezem and Elizabeth Sue Jackson. He fondly called his step-father, Raymond Eugene Howard, "Pops". Cody's grandfather was John Maxwell Jackson and his beloved grandmother was Thelma Louise "Cricket" Jackson. Cody is loved by his wife, Pamela Chezem; step-daughter, Keiondria Butler; granddaughter, Nayeli Butler; brother, Kevin Miller and wife Kathy; brother-in-law, Charles Butler and wife Elizabeth; brother-in-law, Adam Butler and wife Ingrid; sister-in-law, Letha Butler-Umphrey and husband Steven; nieces Kalli Miller and Aleesia Butler; nephews Marc Miller, Lorenzo Butler, Charles Butler, Jr. and Devon Butler; and a host of family and friends. After serving his country in the United States Navy aboard the USS Robert E. Lee (SSN-601), Cody received an Associate of Applied Science Degree in computer programming from Oklahoma Junior College of Business and Technology. Cody attended Tulsa Community College and Oklahoma State University, where he was pursuing a degree in Business Marketing. Cody worked at the City of Tulsa for over 25 years. He started his career at the scale house, then became a Residential Refuse Inspector with the Street and Storm Water Department. Prior to retirement, Cody was the City of Tulsa Surplus Coordinator. Cody spoke highly of his experiences working for the City. As the Surplus Coordinator, he was featured in a commercial, recorded interviews, and newspaper articles. One segment, that showed his witty personality, is on YouTube where he's wearing a pirate's hat. Cody was an incredible person that was loyal to his family and his friends. He had a full belly laugh and a heart-warming smile that reached his eyes. He loved spending time with his dear friends; some he has known for as much as 40 years. He enjoyed weekly get-togethers where they ran fantasy tabletop battle campaigns. Some of which Cody created. Cody was fondly loved and his likeness was used to create a Viking miniature and a cartoon character in a comic book. Cody bleed SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism). This international organization is devoted to research and re-creation of pre-seventeenth century skills, arts, combats, culture and education. It consists of 20 kingdoms and over 30,000 members around the world. Cody initial event was at Willow's War in the spring of 1979. He continued to play on the edges for a while, then eventually drifted away. In the spring of '91, Cody decided to get reacquainted with the SCA and started attending the local fighter practice. It took Cody about nine months to get his gear together and by the spring of '92, he entered his first list. Cody's journey with the SCA was quite honorable. Cody was well known as Centurion Thorvald Egilsson and recognized by many crowns of the kingdom. He held an Award of Arms, Sable Thistles for Bardcraft and Brewing, a Sable Comet for service to the Shire of Northkeep, a Sable Crane, and a Sable Talon for Chivalric Combat. He was a member of the Order of the Lion Paw of Kenmare for service to the Barony of Northkeep and a member of the Order of Centurions of the Sable Star of Ansteorra. He proved his prowess on the Field of Honor. He was the third Bard of Gnomen Vale, fifth Castellan of the Shire of Northkeep, the tenth Minstrel of Mooneschadowe, the seventeenth Guardian of the Shire of Moonschadowe, a past Children's Champion of the Baroness' Toy Tournament, and the Dionadair, the war leader of the Barony of Northkeep, prior Top Dog of House Wolfstar, and Champion of Baroness Keigan. He was squire to Angus MacKnochard Bagadur. He was, also, Autocraft of half a dozen events, including Northkeep Castellan, Company of Wolves, and Interkingdom Peace. On the local level, he held offices as Knight Marshal (Barony of Northkeep), Constable (Barony of Northkeep), and Minister of Arts & Sciences (Barony of Northkeep). On the regional level, he was Knight Marshal (Northern Region). He was also Co-Alpha (House Wolfstar) and Friends of the Great Dark Horde. Cody enjoyed chivalric combat, leatherworking, eastern dance, drumming, tavern-keeping, bardic, woodworking, and fort building. In fact, Cody was elated to be afforded an opportunity to collaborate with the Boy Scouts of America (Cimarron Council) and his household to construction a medieval style fort on the property of the Will Rogers Scout Reservation located West of Cleveland, OK. This fort has been enjoyed by SCA groups, boy scouts and in addition to other groups since around 2012. In his leisure, Cody enjoyed going on fishing trips, shooting at area events and at a local gun range. He became a certified scuba diver in 1987. He enjoyed traveling and going on long motorcycle rides with family and friends. Annually, Cody rode in the DAV 5k, Toy for Tots, and several other events. He and his brother-in-law, Charles, taught his wife how to ride a motorcycle and was looking forward to her joining them. Cody (BawBaw) was a big ole softy when his granddaughter, Nayeli, was around. Often, he enjoyed recording countless videos of what he lovingly called, "Nayeli TV". Cody established a food service business that he lovingly named after her. Cody will truly be missed by his family and friends. His legacy and memory will continue to live on through the lives and hearts he touched. Services will be 2:00pm, Friday, January 4, 2019 at Fort Gibson National Cemetery, Fort Gibson, Oklahoma.

Tributes

Cody Shane Chezem

April 24, 1959 - November 22, 2018