Raybern J Ritter

Raybern J. Ritter

Ringling - Funeral services for Mr. Raybern Ritter, 97, of Pinto, are scheduled for Saturday, 2:00 P.M. January 16, 2016 at Alexander Funeral Home Chapel of Ringling with Rev. Mike Williams officiating. Interment will follow at the Hillcrest Memorial Park of Ardmore with Masonic Burial Rites.

Raybern was born on Nov. 7, 1918 at Pinto to the late Mr. John H. Ritter and Lena V. (Towles) Ritter. He departed this life on Friday, January 15, 2016 at Ringling.

Raybern was raised at Pinto attending school at Fox . He graduated in 1936 and soon attended college. He attended Murray State College and Oklahoma A&M (OSU) finishing in 1940. He and the former Dora Bernice Howard were united in marriage on July 12, 1942. To this union they were blessed with one son Donald Ray and one daughter, Burnis Ann.

Raybern taught Veterans Agriculture at Vanoss Oklahoma. He was also a mail carrier in Stephens and Jefferson counties as well as owning a grocery store in County Line, Pearson, and Wanette, OK. He returned to Ringling in 1969 to help with the Family Farm and Ranch. He loved to play dominoes, but his true passion was running coyotes with his dogs. He coyote hunted for 80 years. The Oklahoma State Field Trails were dedicated to him on his 95th birthday. He was a 32 degree Mason, Lodge 171 Wanette, OK. Raybern was also a non-denominational Christian.

Preceding him in death were his Parents; wife, Dora, September 18, 2002; sisters, Otilla Arnold and Ina Jo Ritter.

Survivors include son, Don Ritter and wife Diana of Atoka; daughter, Burnis Ann Koehler and husband Mark of Gasville, AR; seven grandchildren, seven great grandchildren; numerous other family and friends.

Casket bearers are Craig Hurst, Lynn Hurst, Glenn Hurst, Henry McDaniel, Darren Griffin and Lyndol VanBuskirk.

Honorary bearers are Joe Campo, Jim Griffin, Earl Jones, Murial Hodges, Mike Hoggard, and Bill Ritter.

Family visitation will be held Friday evening from 6-8PM at the Alexander Funeral Home Chapel in Ringling.

visitation will be held Friday evening from 6-8PM at the Alexander Funeral Home Chapel in Ringling.

Condolences may be sent online at www.alexanderfuneralhome.org