Dr. Charles Thomas DeShong, "Chuck" to his family and friends, was born in Ada, Oklahoma on June 12, 1935 and passed away after a short battle with lung cancer on January 6, 2020 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. A kind, sweet man, Chuck was a mentor to many new professors and graduate students over the years; always ready to lend an ear, talk through a problem or situation and provide his wonderful insights. He was a passionate lover of art, and made it a point to purchase student and instructor produced pieces of pottery and paintings from every college and university at which he worked. In later life, he married an artist, Joanne Tressider DeShong, and their home was filled with her beautiful paintings and pottery, along with his prior collected pieces. Chuck was an avid musician and lover of all types of music, having played trombone since he was a boy, and later playing with the Will Rogers High School Marching Band (class of 1953) and then in the Navy (he served from 1953-1956) aboard the U.S.S. Midway for its world tour. An accomplished trombonist, he would later play with the Northeastern State University jazz band and for the NSU River City Players, which brought him great joy. He also played with a big band in Texas called the Flashbacks for numerous NYE celebrations and parties. Chuck had a lovely baritone voice, and sang barbershop in the mid-1970s and could sing harmony with nearly anything he heard. Remarkably, he could whistle just about any classical or popular tune like a songbird (one of his lesser known talents). Professor DeShong strongly believed in education, and studied American Studies at the University of Texas before acquiring his bachelor's degree from the University of Tulsa (1960), a master's degree from the University of Oklahoma (1962), and a Ph.D. from the University of Tulsa (1974). His career was spent doing what he loved; educating students at the university level at various colleges and universities in Texas, Oklahoma, Wyoming and Minnesota. Chuck retired as a full professor from Northeastern State University in 1994, but remained close with the faculty and staff there until his death. Chuck DeShong is survived by his loving wife, Joanne DeShong, of Tahlequah, brother Hal DeShong and wife Barbara of Austin; his ex-wife and friend, Karen DeShong and their three children: daughter Tery Denise DeShong and her wife, Barbara Abercrombie of Dallas, daughter Michele DeShong Bridwell, of Florida, and son David Thomas DeShong and his wife Lenney, of Alabama. He leaves behind six adoring grandchildren, Jake DeShong Abercrombie and fiancé Amy Howe of Tulsa, Rossor Bridwell of Florida, Griffin Bridwell and wife Bobbi of Alaska, Addison Bridwell of Florida, Audrey Grace DeShong of Alabama and Isaac Chase of Alabama, and one adorable great granddaughter, Elise Marie Bridwell of Alaska. Chuck DeShong was a true treasure, and all of those who knew and loved him were touched by his kindness, amazing intelligence and quick wit. The world is better for him having dwelt in it and we are better for having had him in our lives. He will be greatly missed. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 2:00 pm at the NSU Jazz Lab located at 315 N. Muskogee Ave., Tahlequah, OK. The family is initiating a memorial scholarship in his name for trombone jazz students at NSU. Donations may be made to the NSU Foundation: 812 Cedar Ave, Tahlequah, OK 74464. Please put "Dr. Charles DeShong Scholarship Fund" on all checks.