Ralph Rexwinkle

Ralph Russel Rexwinkle, 79, of Welch, Oklahoma passed away on Thursday, January 29, 2015 at St. Johns in Tulsa, OK after a brief illness.

Ralph was born on October 9, 1935 in rural Welch, OK to Charles Henry and Ida Belle (Acridge) Rexwinkle as the youngest of 13 children. Ralph was born in the home where he lived for most of his life and at the time of his death.
He graduated from Edna High School in 1953 where he played sports and developed a lifelong love of all sports.

On May 14, 1956 Ralph married Vinnia Jane (Morrow) in Miami, Oklahoma. Vinnia survives him in their rural Welch, Oklahoma home where they lived and worked as true partners for nearly 59 years.

Ralph worked from the time he was 13 years old until the time of his death as a farmer and rancher where he was very proud of the Limousin cattle that he raised. He began working as a ranch hand for his uncle I.M. Rexwinkle while he was in high school. Throughout the years he worked doing road construction and also did carpentry in the area. He also worked for Stine Feed and Ideal School as a bus driver. He spent many years doing commercial harvesting and hay bailing in the Edna and Welch area.

Ralph's activities revolved around his children and their interest. He was named a Welch FFA Honorary Chapter Farmer. He was also an Ideal 4-H leader, Welch Football Chain Gang member for more than 15 years and was one of the primary members of the community building the Ideal School ball field.

He is survived by his brother Billie Dean of the Grand Lake area and a sister Anabell Gerdes of Edna, Kansas. He was preceded in death by 10 brothers and sisters; Mable (Toots), Ernest (Tom), Edith (Sis), Ethel (Babe), Ella Arlene, Lucille, Lenard, Virgil, Darlene and Charles (Bud).

He is also survived by daughter Loretta Kay Garnett and husband Robert of Welch, OK; son Steven Russel and wife LeAnn of Coffeyville, KS; son Ronald Scott and wife Laura of Welch, OK; daughter Beverly Gay McCoach and husband Mike of Edna, KS; son Ryan Glenn and wife Crystal of Welch, OK and special friend and companion Walter Lee Beeson of Edna, KS.

Surviving grandchildren are Derek, Dustin, Russel, Lynn, Christopher, Douglas, Samantha, Casey, Kassidee, Terrie, Emily, Aaron and Harley and 11 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by grandson Darren and granddaughter Ashley. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews of which many he coach and mentored throughout the difficult times of their lives.

Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, February 2, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel in Coffeyville, Kansas. Burial will follow at North Edna Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 1, 2015 at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The family will greet friends Sunday afternoon at the funeral home from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. The family suggests memorial contributions can be made payable to the Pleasant View Church or to the Edna Library; these may be left with the funeral home. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com

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