Robert Carl Longest

Ardmore – Funeral Services for Mr. Robert “Bob” Carl Longest, 88, of Ardmore is scheduled for 11:00 A.M., Thursday, March 23, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church of Ardmore with David Allen officiating and Sister Carolyn Stoutz assisting. Interment will follow to Petersburg Cemetery south of Ringling with Military honors provided by the Chickasaw Honor Guard Team. Services are under the care and direction of Alexander Funeral Home of Wilson. Family visitations will be in Ringling Monday March 20, 2017 at Alexander Funeral Home of Ringling from 6 to 8 PM. Tuesday Visitation will be at Alexander Funeral Home of Wilson from 6-8 pm and Wednesday family visitation will be at the Colvert Ministry Center of the First United Methodist of Ardmore from 6 to 8 PM.

Mr. Robert “Bob Carl Longest was born on May 30, 1928 to the late Mr. Herman B. Longest and Mrs. Annie (Williams) Longest in Courtney, OK. He departed from this life on March 19, 2017 at his home in Ardmore.

Bob was raised at Courtney Flatts attending school at Petersburg and Courtney and graduated high school in Ringling. He joined the U.S. Army in June 1946 and served honorably during WWII as a Squad Leader and then reenlisted into the U.S. Air Force serving honorably at the beginning of the Korean War. Once Bob returned to Oklahoma he attended college at OSU for a short while before residing in Oklahoma City. There he met the love of his life Ms. Joann Bennett. They were united in marriage on April 6, 1958 at Ringling. They resided in Oklahoma City until 1966 moving to Ringling, starting Longest Insurance Agency of Ardmore and Wilson. Bob owned and operated the Insurance Agency until the late 80’s, and then he began Village Surplus in Ardmore and Sybles of Ringling. He enjoyed developing relationships with all of his customers and always had something funny to say. His store inventory consisted of Paintings to vegetables. He sold everything that was imaginable. Bob was continuously involved in all the communities of this area helping others with fundraisers, employment and giving people his genuine smile. He also invested in all types of Real Estate from Ranches to Historic Buildings. Bob had a passion for restoring these properties so they could be used again. He loved antiques especially old cars and proudly displayed his findings in his yard and at his stores. He will be remembered not as a salesman and investor, but one who touched all of our lives by his generosity, his sense of humor and his dedication to all his customers and people of this area. He was a member of the ODD Fellows and the First United Methodist Church of Ardmore.

Preceding him in death are his parents; sisters, Marie Madison and Betty Longest; brothers, Sexson Longest, Baker Longest and Owen Longest; uncle, C.J. Longest; aunt, Gladys Longest and step mother, Onie Longest.

Bob is survived by his wife Joann of the home; daughter, Diana Longest of Ardmore; sons, Tim Longest and wife Julie of Ardmore, Owen Longest of Ardmore, Larry Longest and wife Sunie of Tulsa and John Kneebone and wife Wendy of Australia; sister, Patsy “Pat” Morris of Ringling; 10 grandchildren, Kent Longest, Kevin Longest, Shane Ritchey and wife Sara, Ramona Wilkerson and husband Jay, Laurel Longest, Josh Longest and wife Erin, Elizabeth Gelona and husband Nick, Jake Patterson and Katherine Patterson and Katie Longest; 12 great grandchildren, Savannah Bryant, Robby Ritchey, Caleb Ritchey, Alexis Knierman, Conner Ritchey, Madison Wilkerson, Reagan Wilkerson, Reese Wilkerson, Gordon Wilkerson, Mason Wilkerson, Ramsey Wilkerson, Joseph Harris and 1 more on the way in June named Charlotte Elizabeth; great great grandchildren, Talon, Branch, Barrett and Taylor and husband Landon; 1 great great great grandkid Brantley; numerous other family and friends.

Casket bearers will be Jimmy Jackson, Max Alvarez, Jerry Day, Kenneth Cheadle, John Dinwiddie, John Deere, Carey England and Phil Summers.

Honorary bearers will be E. Don Flanagan, Millard Ingram, D. Allen Wint, Bob Kerr, Tankey Spivey, Tom Carlock, Bart Lane, Dr. James Turrentine and Jose Romo.

Online condolences may be made to www.alexanderfuneralhome.org.