Ronald Dean Collett

Ronald Dean Collett, 83, entered eternal rest on December 23, 2021. Ron was born as a twin on January 25, 1938, in Stella, Oklahoma, to Thomas and Ethel (Smith) Collett. Ron and his siblings were raised in the Stella community and attended school there until moving to Norman. Ron graduated from Norman High School in 1956 and subsequently was very successful. While in high school, he met Wanda Woodrow, and they married in 1958. Together they had two children, Ron Jr., and Kim. Ron graduated from Air Force basic training in the fall of 1957 and spent 42 years in the Oklahoma Air National Guard before retiring as a Master Sergeant in 1998. In 1997 he retired from a 40 year career in Logistics Management at Tinker Air Force Base. While working full-time, Ron also completed his bachelor’s degree in 1976.

As the son of a sharecropper, Ron learned about hard work at a very young age. Juggling two careers, which included military and civil service as well as college studies, ranching, and managing the multiple rental properties he and Wanda always owned, left very little down time. Ron was most proud of his kids, Ron and Kim. There was absolutely nothing that he would not have done for them. He pushed them to be better and always encouraged them to attempt whatever they wanted to try. Ron will be remembered as someone you could count on if you ever needed anything. He loved being able to help others.

Ron is survived by his children and their families: his son, Ronald D. Collett, Jr., and wife, Jessica, and their children, Emily Ellis-Collett and Aidan Strother; his daughter, Kimberly A. Houck, and husband, Scott, and their daughter, Kaelyn; and his faithful pup, Lexy. He also is survived by his sisters-in-law Betty Morgan and JoNell Grissom; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Janie and Marc Murphy; and many nieces and nephews (spouses) including, David Woodrow (Nancy), Ken Woodrow (Ann), Sandy Chenot (Allen), Mike Woodrow (Denise), Christy Bittman, Mary Hawkins, Carolyn Zadel (Mike), Marilyn Crump, Joe Merkle Jr. (Jessica), Elisabeth Waltman (Jude), Rick Grissom (Nancy), Rusty Grissom (Tammy), Cindy Ott (Kevin), Chad Murphy (Paige), Steve Vaught (Ann), Diane Simmons, Janice White, Ann Goldsberry, Mark Johnson (Sherri), Patricia Dugger, Faye Vowell, and Robin Stehr (John); numerous great nieces and nephews; and a host of others whom he loved.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda Woodrow Collett; his parents, Thomas and Ethel Collett; his siblings and their spouses, Donald Collett, Joann Todd, Mildred (Bill) Johnson, Wilma (Glen) Vaught; his mother-in-law and father-in law, Thomas and Mary Woodrow; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, David and Yvonne Woodrow; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Joe and Patty Merkle; brother-in-law, Gene Morgan; nephew, Tom Morgan; and brother-in-law, Nolan Grissom.

A memorial service honoring Ron will be held at Primrose Funeral Home on Friday, January 7, at 2:00 pm with Ron’s dear friend Jackie Listen officiating. Special thanks to all the loving individuals who cared for Ron these last eight months, especially Luz, Nancy, and Javier, and to the Excell hospice team. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or your local pet shelter.

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