John Perry Bachle

1943 - 2022

John Perry Bachle

John P. Bachle, 79, passed away peacefully while surrounded by his family on July 24, 2022, following a courageous three-year battle with cancer.

John was born on January 20, 1943, in Oklahoma City and was the proud middle child to Jean and Carl Bachle. John spent many summers working at the Bachle family business, Oklahoma Wire & Iron. He developed a strong work ethic in his youth and graduated from Bishop McGuiness in 1961. John attended St. Gregory's University and then enrolled in the University of Oklahoma, where he graduated in 1965 with a B.S. in Business Administration. He was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and loved his time at OU where he developed many lifelong friendships.

After graduation, John took a job with Pan American Petroleum in Oklahoma City and then transferred to their Tulsa office in 1966. He married the love of his life, Gae Spivey Bachle, on August 27, 1966, and lured her to Tulsa with the promise of purchasing her a horse and returning to Oklahoma City a year later.

After their wedding, John joined the Army National Guard and began his lifelong career as a CPA with Sartain Fischbein & Company, later known as SF&Co. He received his MBA from the University of Tulsa in 1971 and completed his obligation with the Army National Guard in 1972.

John and Gae fell in love with Tulsa, and Gae let John forgo his promise to move back to Oklahoma City. They continued to visit there often and kept their Oklahoma City friends close. John held true to his word and purchased Gae her first horse in 1981.

John was a partner with SF&CO for over 40 years. He was a founding member of the AutoCPA Group and served as chairman from 1992-1994. He also served on the CPA Associates International Board. He was actively involved in the Tulsa Auto Dealers Association, where he was treasurer for several years and counted many of Tulsa's car dealers as clients.

After retirement, John began playing golf at the Oaks Country Club and served on the board of directors from 2016 to 2019. His weeks revolved around his Wednesday golf and dinner group and Sunday family dinners at the Bachle's home. In between playing golf and spending time with his grandchildren, John loved traveling the world with Gae and their friends. He could often be found enjoying a sunset with a cold beer in his hand. John was loyal and true, and the best friend, husband, father, and grandfather anyone could ask for.

John was an active supporter of the University of Oklahoma. He was a lifetime member of Leadership Tulsa, an active board member for the Gatesway Foundation and the Oklahoma Education Memorial Trust Foundation. John loved volunteering with Reading Partners of America and was a proud supporter of Up with Trees at Zink Park.

John was predeceased by his parents, Jean and Carl Bachle, and his sister, Sister Bonnie Bachle. He is survived by his wife of fifty-six years, Gae Spivey Bachle; daughters, Johnna Walker (Joshua) and Jan Jackson (Brandon); son, Jay Bachle; brother, William Bachle (Sandy); and grandchildren, Niemann, Natalie and Luke Walker; Barron and Grant Jackson; and Cohen Bachle. What started as just 2 Bachles in 1966 became 13 WalkBachJacks by 2008. The family he leaves behind will miss him dearly and will forever honor his memory in their everyday lives.

A family memorial mass was held at Christ the King Church. A celebration of John's life and everyone he loved will be held at the Oaks Country Club on Wednesday, August 10, from 4-7pm.

The Bachle Family would like to thank all of John's doctors and caregivers over the past several years. He believed in education and willed his body to the University of Oklahoma Health & Sciences Center to further educate our future generations.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to the Oklahoma Education Memorial Trust Foundation (www.okscholarships.org).