Jeffrey Saunders Lathan

Jeffrey S. Lathan, 60 yrs old, of Nichols Hills, OK passed away unexpectedly on August 6, 2023. Jeff was born on September 20, 1962 in Washington, D.C. to the late Edward and Sonia Lathan.Jeff was always known for his ability to make friends with anyone no matter where he was in the world, and that trait carried him far in every aspect of his life and led him to be a strong husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend. After graduating from high school, Jeff enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. During his 11 years of service, he received several commendations. He was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for creating and implementing a tracking system vital to processing more than 300 routine and special port calls each month for his Division. He was also awarded the Joint Service Medal for implementing new procedures for maintenance and control over 20,000 applicant files resulting in an excellent rating by higher headquarters as well as an excellent rating for his techniques for interviewing applicants. Jeff loved horses and was a member of the Camp Pendleton Color Guard. He worked on a ranch while in California and started team roping which eventually led him to Oklahoma via assignment to Tinker Air Force Base. At the rank of staff sergeant, he was honorably discharged from the Marines in 1988.Jeff continued his life of service first with the Del City Police Department from 1989 until 1994 and then with the Oklahoma City Police Department until his retirement in August of 2021. His achievements and accolades during these years are far too many to list, but his many roles as a leader and mentor exemplify his desire to always help people and to encourage them to be the very best version of themselves.In addition to his years in law enforcement, Jeff owned CVL Protection and provided security for many dignitaries, celebrities, and politicians. Jeff also had the privilege and was very proud to have had the opportunity to work security for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.After his retirement, Jeff was offered the opportunity to work his "dream job" for Panthera providing venue and personal security in the music industry. At the time of his death, he was doing a job that he loved. Jeff married Misty Crockett, and in February of 1997 he received his greatest joy when his "Karlee Bug" was born. Upon Misty's untimely death, Jeff devoted himself to providing Karlee the best life he could. To this day, there is probably not another man who can apply eye shadow or tie a cheer bow better than he! Jeff was able to continue watching Karlee do what she loved when she cheered for the University of Oklahoma through his involvement of caring for the Sooner Schooner ponies, Boomer and Sooner, and then working with the Pride of Oklahoma Band. Karlee was his pride and joy. In 2019 he met the love of his life, Vanessa Pierce, and after both proclaiming they were never getting married again, they did just that on September 10, 2021. Their union created a beautiful family and their love for each other and their acceptance of and love for each other's children was unsurpassed. Jeff was the happiest and most relaxed when he was spending time with his wife, family, and dogs at their "Happy Place" at Lake Tenkiller. He took great pride in caring for their boat and was always thrilled at the chance to share time on the water with others, but his greatest joy was sharing those beautiful Oklahoma sunsets with Vanessa. He cherished every bit of their time and never took a single one of those sunsets for granted. He was full of life and together they completed one another. In addition to his wife Vanessa, he is survived by his daughter Karlee Lathan and son Camden Pierce both of Nichols Hills, OK; sister, Lauren and brother-in-law Dan Tewksbury of Chester, NH; two nieces, Courtney and her wife Jill Tewksbury of Northwood, NH, Ashley and her husband James Hylton of Beaufort,SC, and last, but not least, his two dogs Titus and Thor.The funeral service will be held at Our Lady's Cathedral on Monday, August 14th at 11:00 AM. The burial service will be held at the family cemetery in Whaleyville, MD at a later date.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the American Liver Foundation Pediatrics, 75 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038.