Ruth Gray

Posted on February 28, 2013...what would have been her 92 Birthday. Ruth King Gray passed peacefully at St Simeon's Episcopal Home in Tulsa on January 30, 2013 after a long life filled with joy and a sincere concern for others. A graveside service was held February 1 at Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa where she was laid to rest beside her beloved husband Glen. Rev Mark Polson of Christ United Methodist Church, Tulsa, presided. Born in a Methodist parsonage on February 28, 1921, in Yewed, Oklahoma, Ruth was the youngest of seven children born to Rev William DuBois King and Mable Toomey King. She had three brothers: Delbert, Donald, and Paul, and three sisters: Margaret, Marian, and Martha. Dinner conversation was lively in her musical and politically opinionated Republican family. Having learned to play the piano at age five, taught by her sister Margaret, she often sang in a quartet with her sisters and also performed in trios, glee clubs and operettas in junior and senior high and college, as well as in church choirs and as a soprano soloist. She grew up in parsonages throughout Oklahoma, graduated from Enid High School, and attended Central State Teachers College in Edmond, and Tulsa University, majoring in Education. Ruth and Glen Gray were married on January 25th, 1941, in the Wesley Methodist Church parsonage in Oklahoma City. They began their life together in that city, but also lived in Seminole, Pryor, Enid, and Ponca City as well as Fort Scott, Kansas. Their principal hometowns were Tulsa and Vinita. During World War II, Ruth lived with her parents in Enid and worked in the Quartermaster's office at Vance Air Force Base while Glen was overseas serving with the Navy Seabees. Primarily a homemaker and caring mom to daughters Gloria and Glena, Ruth was also a realtor and property manager for her family's rental houses in Tulsa as well as their wheat farm in Grant County. As a realtor, she loved helping young people find and purchase their first homes. The Grays owned and operated the Vinita OTASCO store from 1965 to 1984. They also had a lake property near Ketchum, and many happy family memories were made at Grand Lake. The 4th of July Fireworks at Cherokee Yacht Club were some of the best. A life-long Methodist, Ruth was active in Epworth League, WSCS and UMW as well as the interdenominational Church Women United, holding many local, district, and conference offices. Glen, Ruth and their daughters were founding charter members of Christ United Methodist Church in Tulsa. She and Glen were members of the First United Methodist Church in Vinita and were active in the Lakelands Summer Ministry program, conducting casual Sunday services at Green Country's lakes and campgrounds. Ruth was also a member of Vinita's Abraham Coryell chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Lioness Club of Oklahoma, and the Federation of Women's Clubs. An accomplished public speaker, she informed and entertained many at church and civic functions. A skilled and creative seamstress, Ruth designed and finished beautiful dresses for her daughters, many of which are family keepsakes. Inventive, resourceful and a patient teacher, she was always willing to try a task and reluctant to impose on others for help. Not a fan of cats, squirrels, or snakes; she loved feeding wild birds, and was especially fond of the Purple Martins that returned each year to their house in her yard. Watching for the "scouts" each Spring and observing the Martins swooping over the open land behind the home she and Glen built on Arcadia Road were special joys. Ruth loved her dogs, remarking that unlike her children, they always listened intently and never talked back. Over the years, the canine recipients of her love and care were a Black and White Pointer named Flash, bouncy fawn Boxers Rex, Shon and Lucky, and a sweet Brittany Spaniel named Freddie. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings and their spouses, as well as her husband, his six siblings and their spouses; but is survived by her daughters and their families: Gerry and Gloria Roop of Fort Collins, CO, and Larry and Glena Wildermuth of Pryor, OK; grandchildren Ashley Roop of Denver, CO; Travis Roop of Los Angeles, CA; Chisholm Wildermuth of Phoenix, AZ; Laramie Wildermuth of Pryor; Cassidy Wildermuth of Fayettville AR; and Remington Wildermuth of Pryor; as well as many nieces and nephews, their children and grandchildren. Most who knew Ruth were inspired by her kind actions and clarity of purpose in doing good works. She never questioned her reason for being: helping others. Her parting admonition was always "Keep Smiling." We trust this will be part of her legacy.

Service Details

Memorial Park Cemetery - Tulsa

Interment Details

Memorial Park Cemetery - Tulsa