Isadore "Izzy" Levine September 15, 1928 – September 1, 2016



Everyone knew Izzy.  Izzy was the decent man, the fellow you could trust for his word and commitment. He was the person to whom everyone gravitated. He was fun. He listened. Izzy was confident.  While never forgetting his birthplace of Allentown, Pa., thanks to the bits of coal in his knees from when he played there as a boy, after being called a "Damn Yankee" too many times by his first wife, Meredith, he changed his allegiance to the Dallas Cowboys .

Izzy was always savvy in analyzing any situation. When he was drafted in the army and realized married soldiers did not have to live in the barracks, he left on a 3-day pass to marry his first wife.   At grocery stores he would amaze the checkers as he could roughly add the total as the groceries were being checked and come within dollars of the total. His quick wit, charm, keen observation and genuine like of others served him well in his lifelong profession of selling jewelry. He was proud to have been born a natural salesman who had returns of less than one percent and had many repeat customers. Many of those customers considered him a friend, confidante or even honorary grandpa to their children.

Izzy also was nothing if not decisive. When he made up his mind, that was it. No second guessing for Izzy. It could make him stubborn but it also made him a loyal friend and someone who could be trusted.  There was no doubt where you stood with him, nor he with you. No one was truer to his word than Izzy. Izzy believed you should stand up for yourself and those around you.   He always promised his grandsons, Stephen, Brian and Jeff, "anytime, anywhere. I'll be there." They knew it was true.

Izzy believed we should work with others to make the world around us better. Izzy acted on that belief. He made countless contributions to the community through his service, mentoring and his philanthropic spirit. Izzy was a major fan of the arts, he even went to clown school and he just loved to dance.  He was a supporter of the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame since its inception and, thanks to their shows, he met his loving wife Linda when he asked her to dance.

Izzy was most proud of his daughters Laurie and Jodi, and their spouses, respectively, David Wheeler and Julie Costilla; his grandsons, Stephen Wheeler (and wife Meg), Brian Wheeler, and Jeff Wheeler, and instilled in them the importance of integrity and love of life and of people. He believed we should live life to the fullest and without regrets. They strive to carry on this legacy.  Izzy considered himself very fortunate to have two loves of his life, his wife Meredith, who preceded him in death in 2003, and his wife Linda, who survives him. Izzy followed his Jewish faith and it teaches that we live on in the memories of those who survive us.  Izzy will have a very long life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Isadore "Izzy" Levine Scholarship in Community Service and the Arts at The University of Tulsa.

Services will be held at B'Nai Emunah Synagogue, 1:00 p.m., on Tuesday, September 6, 2016. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Park Cemetery, Tulsa.



Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, 918-585-1151. www.fitzgeraldivychapel.com