Joseph Lally

MIDWEST CITY - Master Sergeant Joseph Michael Lally, 82, of Midwest City, OK, passed from this world on October 10, 2021. He had a long and dist i nguished career i n the United States military, serving in both the United States Army and United States Air Force for nearly 22 years. He was a decorated veteran, receiving many honors, serving in Southeast Asia (Vietnam) and the Middle East, retiring as Master Sergeant of the Air Force at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Master Sergeant Lally was born March 29, 1939, in Waltham, Massachusetts to his parents, William and Marion Lally. Having initially served in the US Army, he switched to the US Air Force eventually meeting his future wife, Anita, where they both worked in the encrypted intelligence field. Following his career in the Air Force he started a second career with the ITT Corporation, retiring after 20 years and then a third career with Boeing, retiring after 10 years. He spent more than 50 years protecting his country, family, and friends. He enjoyed playing, coaching, and refereeing sports with his children, was an excellent bowler, a golfer and enjoyed watching “his” Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, his wife of forty-nine years, Anita Mae Parthemer Lally and his daughter, Jean Ann Lally Runkle. Joe, as he was known, is survived by his children and their spouses; daughter, Ruth E. Haynes (Doyle) of Blanchard, OK; son, Michael H. Lally (Alice) of Arlington, TX; daughter, Patricia M. Escoe (Arthur) of Sachse, TX; 22 Grandchildren (and spouses), 21 great grandchildren, his good friend and traveling partner Catalina Stein, of Moore, OK and many other friends. Funeral services are Saturday, October 16, 2021, at 2:00pm, in the Candlewood Chapel at Ford Funeral Service, 305 S. Sooner Road in Midwest City. Burial will be on Monday, October 18, 2021, at 9:00am, at Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, OK. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to: Trinity Kids, Inc., 2704 Fox Creek Trail, Arlington, TX 76017 or at www.trinitykids.org.