Ronald Sterling Tousley

Our Dad, Ronald Sterling Tousley, 94, rode off into the sunset to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, December 20th.
Ron T, as mom had lovingly called him, was born on May 28, 1931, in Grainola, OK, to Sterling "Punk" Tousley and Bessie Vaden Tousley.
Dad grew up in the Dexter, Maple City, and Hardy (OK) areas. In 1949, he graduated from Dexter High School. Throughout the stories Dad had told us, we realized he, his brother Pete, and his friends were full of shenanigans and oneriness, which continued throughout his life.
Dad married our mom, Dona Louise Carter, on March 9, 1952. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1952 to 1954, stationed in Orleans, France, where he lived in a cold Army tent. Later, Dad and Mom settled in Arkansas City, where he was employed at Carter's Auto Parts. He and Mom purchased the shop in 1975 and renamed it Tousley Auto Parts. There was a story Dad had shared about a gentleman he knew growing up, who always gave Dad and other kids a free pop even when he didn't have the means to do so. From there, Dad wanted to pay this act forward, and every child that came through the shop would always get a free pop.
He was known for his excellence in machine work and glasswork.
Dad had no interest in computers, so when they were introduced into the parts business, he decided to retire. He and Mom had spent many miles on the road in their motorhome. Their grandchildren were blessed to go on several of these adventures with them.
Dad was the best storyteller. He loved to share stories from his youth and point out areas that he grew up in and places that held special memories for him, like his horses (especially Joe) and his mules. As a recent visitor shared with us, Dad was the ultimate historian of his old stomping grounds and all things cars.
As long as we could remember, Dad could be found eating breakfast at Daisy Mae's, sitting at the good 'ole boys table, solving the world's problems.
Dad was preceded in death by our mom, his grandson Andrew Trenary, his brother Pete, and our grandparents.
Dad is survived by his girls, Rhonda (Michael) Trenary, LaDona (Doug) Anstine, and Jackie (Michael) Hunt. His ten grandchildren, Amanda (Bryan) Pudden, Laura (Jeremy) Frazier, Becci Tennant, Jeff (Rabia) Trenary, Kyle (Nichole) Anstine, Levi (Laura) Anstine, Lexi (Max) Campbell, Candace (Chris) Hendricks, Chet (Amy) Hunt, and Kasha (Zach) Balahtsis. He also had twenty-five great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. He was so loved that a grandson and great-grandson carry his name, Sterling.
Services will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 27, 2025 at Rindt Erdman Funeral Home. He will be laid to rest at Parker Cemetery beside Mom, whom he has terribly missed for the past 20 years. The family will receive friends on Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. A memorial has been established with Gentiva Hospice.
Our family wishes to thank Lois Jennings, who Dad teasingly called his "girlfriend," for her care over the years, along with Hillery and the staff at Alderbrook Village. He was loved by so many, and us girls got a front row seat of his love.