Robert Eugene Metzinger

Robert Eugene Metzinger was born in Mayfield, Kentucky on November 11, 1934, the eldest child of John Rhinard and Evelyn (Digney) Metzinger. When he was 10 years old the family moved to Coffeyville, Kansas. There he went to school, went to Church and learned to love golf. After graduating from high school, he attended Coffeyville Community College for two years. He then served for two years in the United States Army at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.
Bob entered the most important relationship of his life on November 5, 1955, when he married Mary Jane Marvel at Holy Name Catholic Church in Coffeyville. Their early years of marriage were spent at the University of Kansas in Lawrence where he completed his undergraduate degree, earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration, and taught his son John to cheer for the Jayhawks. The family then moved to El Dorado, Kansas, where he served as the Assistant City Manager and celebrated the birth of his son Bruce. His career as a City Manager led the family to Parsons, Kansas, where Kurt and Emily were born; and then to Joplin, Missouri, where his youngest sons Tom and Jim joined the family. He also served as City Manager in Lawton, Oklahoma and Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Everywhere he lived he worked hard, went to Church, loved his family and friends, and played golf.
In the summer of 1998 Bob retired, and he and Mary Jane moved to Oklahoma City. During his long and happy retirement, he treasured time with his family. He and Mary Jane hosted wonderful gatherings for their children and grandchildren in South Carolina, California, and Colorado. They also had a great time traveling the world with her siblings. When he was home, he was an active member of St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in Norman and played golf, shooting his age 5 times. He died in his sleep early on the morning of November 1, 2024.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents John and Evelyn Metzinger, his brother Bill Metzinger, his sister Mary Ann Metzinger and his son Jim Metzinger. He is survived by his wife Mary Jane, with whom he shared almost 69 years of marriage; his daughter Emily Anderson (Tom); his sons Rev. John Metzinger, Bruce Metzinger (Patricia), Kurt Metzinger (Bernadine) and Tom Metzinger (Vickie); his grandchildren Camille Metzinger (Gavin Chen), John Metzinger (Sara), Mark Metzinger (Emily), Jessica Wilson (Beau), Evan Metzinger, Katherine Searcy (Kirk), and Sydney Penzhorn (Kai); and great-grandchildren Madeleine and Grace Metzinger, Luke and Andrew Metzinger, Mira Chen, and Anderson Wilson.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations be made to the American Heart Association.
There will be a Vigil Service at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 10th. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 11th. Both services will be held at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church, Yukon. Inurnment will follow at a later date.