Jackie Marie Krutsinger

Jackie Marie Krutsinger, 85, of Edmond, Oklahoma, passed away August 18,2022, at the Integris Hospice House in Oklahoma City. She was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma, on September 3, 1936, to James Bryan and Opal Marie (Bailey) Krutsinger. Her parents and her brother, Jack, preceded her in death. She is survived by her nephew, Kirk Krutsinger (Ann) and her niece, Christina Krutsinger LaPierre. She is also survived by her great nephews and nieces Cameron Krutsinger, Caitlin Krutsinger Mistry, Kara Krutsinger; Emily LaPierre, and Harrison LaPierre as well as a great, great niece, Laira Mistry.

Jackie graduated in 1954 from Putnam City High School in Oklahoma City where she played basketball, volleyball, softball and tennis. She received her B.S. degree in 1959 from Central State College, Edmond, Oklahoma where she competed on intercollegiate teams in field hockey, volleyball, basketball, softball, tennis and swimming, and was a member and officer of the Women’s Recreation Association and the Physical Education Majors Club. She received her M.S. degree from the University of Colorado in 1962.

She was a professional educator who taught and coached at the following schools: Nathan Hale High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Illinois State University in Bloomington, Illinois; the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma; and Pickens Jr. High School in Pickens, South Carolina. She retired from Pickens Public Schools in 1989 ending a thirty-year career in education.

In 1955-56, Jackie was a member of the All American Red Heads, a women’s professional basketball team that toured the United States playing exhibition games. As a member of the All American Red Heads team, Jackie has been inducted into five Halls of Fame - the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and the New England Basketball Hall of Fame.

Jackie enjoyed playing golf, table games, working puzzles, and reading. Friends and pets were very important parts of her life. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, August 26, at 2 p.m. in the Grand Hall of the Touchmark Senior Living Center, 2801 Shortgrass Road in Edmond, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Free to Live Animal Sanctuary, 9150 S. Western Avenue, Guthrie, Oklahoma, or to a charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.billmerrittfuneralservice.com for the Krutsinger family.