Bela Denes Csendes

Bela Denes Csendes, 79, passed away Saturday, August 19, 2023, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Bela was born on April 17, 1944, in Hungary, to Bela and Jolan (Gyapay) Csendes. In 1962, he graduated from Marmion Military Academy in Aurora, Illinois. Bela was drafted into the United States Army in 1966 and was honorably discharged in 1973. He then went on to serve in the National Guard Reserves until his retirement. He married Shirley Ross on February 20, 1971, in Greenville, Texas. Bela received his Bachelors Degree in Electronics from Cameron University in 1978. He retired from Army at the rank of Lt. Colonel and from the Department of Defense as Director of several organizations. Bela was highly successful and decorated with over a hundred awards and decorations in both his military and Civil Service careers. He attended the Lake Eufaula Christian Church. Bela was a lifelong member of the Eufaula VFW Post 8798.

Bela is survived by his wife, Shirley Csendes of the home; brother, Billy Csendes of Aurora, Illinois; and sister, Kathleen Salerno of Aurora, Illinois. He is preceded in death by his parents Bela and Jolan Csendes; brothers, Imre Csendes and Steve Csendes.