Born on October 19, 1942, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Joel spent his early years surrounded by family. His childhood was marked by his father Joe's service in the Pacific theater of World War II as a U.S. Navy Seabee, while his mother, LaVerne, held things down at home. After the war, the group was reunited and buoyed by the arrival of Joel's two younger brothers. In the years that followed, trips to Colorado sparked in Joel a lifelong love of the Rocky Mountains—one that would shape his life profoundly.
A graduate of Northwest Classen High School's class of 1960, Joel briefly attended the University of Oklahoma before transferring to Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising Graphics. Joel's years at Baylor were formative and filled with humor and camaraderie. He was a proud member of the Noble NoZe Brotherhood, Baylor's secret and satirical society founded in 1918.
Joel's artistic gifts soon led him to Houston, Texas, where he joined Visual Concepts, Inc., a leading design studio contracted by NASA. There, he contributed intricate illustrations and specialty graphics for the Lunar Space Landing Program, helping to educate and inspire the public about the Apollo missions. His mastery of design tools—gouache, watercolor, oil, acrylic, and airbrush—earned him respect among his peers and clients alike.
As the 1960s wound to a close, Joel followed his heart to the Rockies, settling in Denver, Colorado. He joined Designers West on Larimer Square, producing everything from corporate advertising to motorcycle club insignias, along with a series of acclaimed concert posters for artists such as Leon Russell. Always seeking new creative outlets, he also became a master jeweler. Through the 1970s, his prolific artistic output—paintings, drawings, and jewelry—culminated in the founding of Silver Cloud Custom Jewelers in Breckenridge, Colorado. There, with the support of brother Marc, Joel crafted exquisite rings, bracelets, buckles, and pendants while immersing himself in the friendships and mountain lifestyle he cherished most.
When not at his workbench, Joel could be found skiing, playing high-altitude handball, or excelling at darts and pool—activities that reflected his characteristic focus and precision. His circle of friends shared adventures across Colorado, the Southwest, and the beaches of Cozumel and Zihuatanejo, Mexico—places he considered spiritual sanctuaries that deepened his connection to art, nature, and culture.
After nearly twenty-five years in the Rockies, Joel returned home to Oklahoma City, where he cared for his mother in the family's home. Ever evolving with the times, he became an early expert in digital design and web development, offering art direction to businesses and serving as webmaster for family enterprises. His work, spanning fine art, jewelry, and more, remains accessible at his long-standing website, www.omegagrafix.com.
Joel also remained devoted to his Northwest Classen High School classmates, building websites and newsletters to reconnect old friends and coordinate class reunions. His dedication was formally recognized by the Class of 1960 in 2022.
Beyond a lifetime of artistry and adventure, Joel found joy in reading, family connections, and the simple pleasures of conversation. A lifelong Denver Broncos fan, he developed and maintained a website devoted to their schedule, reflecting his communal spirit.
Joel was preceded in death by his parents, Joe Bailey and Bertie LaVerne Cheves (née Radant). He is survived by his brothers, Doug Cheves of Houston, Texas, and Marc Cheves of Frederick, Maryland; his aunt, Gail Eubanks of Choctaw, Oklahoma; and numerous nieces and nephews who remember "Unca" with love and admiration. He is also remembered fondly by his ex-wife, Betty Bonney, formerly of Las Vegas, New Mexico.
In keeping with Joel's wishes, a private cremation has taken place, and no formal memorial service will be held. At this time, the family would like to thank Danny Simon of Allen, Oklahoma, a friend from childhood that acted as longtime caretaker and helping hand at various junctures.
Joel will be remembered for his peaceful spirit and kind, appreciative manner—a lover of life and seeker of light, endowed with an ability to transform raw experience and fleeting inspiration into lasting form. He left the world better than he found it, refining and sharing his talents to reflect the beauty he saw everywhere, simply because he chose to look.
A graduate of Northwest Classen High School's class of 1960, Joel briefly attended the University of Oklahoma before transferring to Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising Graphics. Joel's years at Baylor were formative and filled with humor and camaraderie. He was a proud member of the Noble NoZe Brotherhood, Baylor's secret and satirical society founded in 1918.
Joel's artistic gifts soon led him to Houston, Texas, where he joined Visual Concepts, Inc., a leading design studio contracted by NASA. There, he contributed intricate illustrations and specialty graphics for the Lunar Space Landing Program, helping to educate and inspire the public about the Apollo missions. His mastery of design tools—gouache, watercolor, oil, acrylic, and airbrush—earned him respect among his peers and clients alike.
As the 1960s wound to a close, Joel followed his heart to the Rockies, settling in Denver, Colorado. He joined Designers West on Larimer Square, producing everything from corporate advertising to motorcycle club insignias, along with a series of acclaimed concert posters for artists such as Leon Russell. Always seeking new creative outlets, he also became a master jeweler. Through the 1970s, his prolific artistic output—paintings, drawings, and jewelry—culminated in the founding of Silver Cloud Custom Jewelers in Breckenridge, Colorado. There, with the support of brother Marc, Joel crafted exquisite rings, bracelets, buckles, and pendants while immersing himself in the friendships and mountain lifestyle he cherished most.
When not at his workbench, Joel could be found skiing, playing high-altitude handball, or excelling at darts and pool—activities that reflected his characteristic focus and precision. His circle of friends shared adventures across Colorado, the Southwest, and the beaches of Cozumel and Zihuatanejo, Mexico—places he considered spiritual sanctuaries that deepened his connection to art, nature, and culture.
After nearly twenty-five years in the Rockies, Joel returned home to Oklahoma City, where he cared for his mother in the family's home. Ever evolving with the times, he became an early expert in digital design and web development, offering art direction to businesses and serving as webmaster for family enterprises. His work, spanning fine art, jewelry, and more, remains accessible at his long-standing website, www.omegagrafix.com.
Joel also remained devoted to his Northwest Classen High School classmates, building websites and newsletters to reconnect old friends and coordinate class reunions. His dedication was formally recognized by the Class of 1960 in 2022.
Beyond a lifetime of artistry and adventure, Joel found joy in reading, family connections, and the simple pleasures of conversation. A lifelong Denver Broncos fan, he developed and maintained a website devoted to their schedule, reflecting his communal spirit.
Joel was preceded in death by his parents, Joe Bailey and Bertie LaVerne Cheves (née Radant). He is survived by his brothers, Doug Cheves of Houston, Texas, and Marc Cheves of Frederick, Maryland; his aunt, Gail Eubanks of Choctaw, Oklahoma; and numerous nieces and nephews who remember "Unca" with love and admiration. He is also remembered fondly by his ex-wife, Betty Bonney, formerly of Las Vegas, New Mexico.
In keeping with Joel's wishes, a private cremation has taken place, and no formal memorial service will be held. At this time, the family would like to thank Danny Simon of Allen, Oklahoma, a friend from childhood that acted as longtime caretaker and helping hand at various junctures.
Joel will be remembered for his peaceful spirit and kind, appreciative manner—a lover of life and seeker of light, endowed with an ability to transform raw experience and fleeting inspiration into lasting form. He left the world better than he found it, refining and sharing his talents to reflect the beauty he saw everywhere, simply because he chose to look.
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