Jeffery Allan Shea

Jeffery Allen Shea was born in Denver Colorado June 15, 1961, to Thomas L. Shea and Cleo M. Shea. Jeff and his four brothers; Michael (Mike), Thomas (Tommy), Patrick and John were raised in the Bartlesville and Dewey areas. Jeff attended and graduated from College High School in 1979, where some of his memories included knocking over a statue on the front steps of the school in a fistfight, and his love for shop class taught by Mr. Sears, who was always one of his favorite teachers. He married in his senior year of high school to Benita Shea, whom later gave him his two daughters, Leslie and Jessica. As a young father and husband Jeff provided for his family by working for United Linen. He quickly rose within the business as a manager and a trusted right-hand man. Jeff then packed up his young family and made a cross-country move from Oklahoma to Nevada after he secured a job as Chief Engineer for commercial laundry.

After several years of business success and personal changes, Jeff moved to Texas and began work in the same field of expertise. It was in Texas that he pivoted careers and paid true homage to his mother and grandfather’s love of agriculture. He loved raising animals and working the land. Jeff stayed busy from sun up to sundown. You could count on him to be building, toiling, or preparing for his next project during this period of his life.

Later in life, Jeff lived in California and ran his own highly successful business specializing in custom builds and high-end renovations in Palo Alto. Jeff thrived in this area. He was invited to collaborate on infrastructure development in Vietnam, where he secured government contracts and resided for approximately two years before returning to California.

Jeff eventually left California to return home to Oklahoma. It was back home that he met and fell in love with Tabitha. Tabitha came with three loving children: Kourtnee, Chad, and Rylee. Jeff married Tabitha and raised the children as his own. It was with Tabitha that Jeff found a loving home and lived out his remaining lifetime.

He taught us all to never stop dreaming. To be our own hero, and to never give up. He was loved by many and always had some advice or scheme to share. He loved his family and Jesus. He was a man with a “can-do” attitude and a fighting spirit.

Jeff passed away May 30, 2026 in Dewey, Oklahoma at the age of 64. Jeff is survived by his wife Tabitha, daughter Leslie Jerden and son-in-law Shawn Jerden, daughter Jessica Shea Ferguson and son-in-law Andrew Ferguson; his children he raised with Tabitha, Kourtnee Stevens, Chad Shea, and Rylee Stevens; and grandchildren Mike Garcia and his wife Kaitlin Garcia, Gavin Jerden, Sophia Jerden, and River Ferguson; and his great-grandchild Maria Garcia.

He is also survived by his brothers; Mike Shea and John Shea of Dewey, Oklahoma, as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Cleo Shea, and brothers, Tommy and Patrick Shea. A service celebrating Jeff’s life will be held on June 4, 2026, at Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home at 3 p.m.

The family thanks the many hospice healthcare workers who made his end-of-life journey dignified and peaceful.

Arrangements are under the direction of Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home & Cremation Service of downtown Bartlesville. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemoriesbartlesville.com.