Tulsa Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty Dies Sunday Morning

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- Victory Christian Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty, 57, passed away Sunday morning. Church pastors announced at early Sunday morning services that Daugherty died at 4:40 a.m.

The founder of Victory Christian Church, Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty's battle with cancer took a turn for the worse on Friday as he fought an infection at Houston's M.D. Anderson Hospital.

Daugherty is survived by his wife, Sharon, and four children: John, Paul, Sarah, and Ruthie. His two son-in-laws are also active in the congregation.

Services are planned for Monday, November 30 at the Mabee Center. More information on that service will be announced this week.

Victory Christian has 17,000 members, making it one of Green Country's largest churches. Daugherty also founded Victory Christian School and the Victory Bible Institute.

"We're going to give thanks. We're going to celebrate his life, and then as a church we're going to pick up the baton and run the race," Pastor Bruce Edwards told the congregation Sunday morning.

"I can tell you, his prayer is for us to move forward with the vision," Edwards said of Daugherty.

Congregation members, many of whom have grown up with Pastor Daugherty, say his death will leave a void in their lives.

"I'm in denial right now, so I still can't believe it because it just seemed like he had so much more life to live," said Haley Deyoe, a member of the congregation.

"You talk to Billy Joe, when you shake his hand, you felt like the love of Christ would pour over you," said Danny Tuttle, a member of the congregation.

"One thing I know for sure, two words were heard in heaven today, and that's 'well done,'" said Jim King, a member of the congregation.

The family returned to Tulsa Sunday, congregation members were told at Sunday's 11 a.m. service. They ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Victory Christian Church to help carry on Pastor Daugherty's work.

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