Ronald Edward Oelke

It is with great sadness that the family of Ron Oelke announce his passing on March 18, 2025, at the age of 75. Ronald Edward Oelke was born on January 7, 1950, to Carol Frances Jupe Oelke and Edward Ronald Oelke, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Ron attended St. Patrick Catholic School and Northwest Classen High School. He had a passion for baseball and was a pitcher. He had a love for the outdoors, wildlife, hunting, and fishing. Ron married Sharron Kay Brandle on June 5, 1971, who he met through mutual friends. Ron had a very disciplined work ethic. He performed the difficult and respectable duty of attending college while working full time and all while newly married. Ron and Sharron had their first child, Lori Christine Oelke, while Ron was still at Central State University where he graduated with a bachelor's degree. While attending college, he worked on the flight line at Wiley Post Airport and occasionally met famous people, including, Elvis Presley and Ronald Reagan. Ron's first job after college was as a statistician at the Vernon Center in Vernon, Texas. This provided him the fulfilling opportunity to help young people that were dealing with difficulties that occur in life including depression and addictions. Ron's love for hunting brought a labrador retriever, Sparky, into the family at this time. Sparky would retrieve ducks for Ron while duck hunting and he was one of many dogs that became a loved part of the family over the years. It was also during this time that Lance Edward Oelke was born. Ron took a new opportunity in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at Seismograph Service Corporation, in the oil and gas industry, performing geophone surveys, and analyzed the associated seismic data. Ron then took an opportunity with Boeing in Seattle, Washington, in the defense sector. The family resided in Kent, Washington, until transferring back to Oklahoma to Tinker Air Force Base in 1995. That is where he remained until he retired. Ron and Sharron enjoyed their retired life together in Norman, Oklahoma. They loved spending time together with family and their border collies. Ron was preceded in death by his mother and father, Carol and Edward Oelke, older brother Michael Oelke, and younger brother Steven Oelke. He is survived by his wife Sharron of Norman, daughter Lori Chandler and husband Greg of Oklahoma City, son Lance Oelke of Houston, Texas, and grandchildren Aiden Oelke and Vivienne Oelke. A memorial service followed by a reception will be held on Saturday, March 29, at 11:00am at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oklahoma City with Fr. Stansberry presiding.
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