Fred Benton Blythe

1942 - 2023

Dr. Fred Benton Blythe, 81, of Tulsa, OK, died peacefully in his sleep on April 24, 2023. He was born March 5, 1942, in Guymon, OK, to the late Richard and Ruth (Cawlfield) Blythe and was the 12th of 13 children.

Fred graduated from Guymon High School and attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma Panhandle State University, and the University of Arkansas before receiving his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1969.

He and his family moved to Enid, OK, in 1970, where he opened a dental practice with Dr. Steve McKeever and became a leading proponent of preventive dentistry. Fred served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, was active in AMBUCS and the Grand National Quail Club, and attended his children's numerous musical performances, dance recitals, plays, and sporting events-where he occasionally questioned the referees' eyesight.

After leaving Enid, Fred practiced and started dental clinics in Oklahoma, Texas, and Hawaii before making his home in Tulsa in 1996. In October 2000, he married Ruth Imhof Curtin. The couple were longtime members of Asbury Methodist Church, where Fred participated in Family Fellowship and Men's Ministry. Finding joy in serving others, Fred volunteered with Eastern Oklahoma Donated Dental Services and the Oklahoma Mission of Mercy to provide dental services to those in need. He continued to practice dentistry until he retired from the Tulsa County Jail in July 2022.

Fred played sports and rode motorcycles in his younger days. He was an aviation enthusiast and had his private pilot's license. He sang and played guitar, was an avid reader, loved watching sports, enjoyed being outdoors, and had a knack for tinkering and building things. He could be stubborn but was quick to laugh and loved sharing jokes. He visited Hawaii often and was fond of ice cream (especially strawberry pecan) and homegrown tomatoes. He enjoyed hearing from his kids and keeping up with his grandchildren. He loved Jesus, his family, and America! His legacy of service and strong work ethic is an inspiration to all.

Fred is survived by his wife, Ruth (Imhof Curtin) Blythe; four children, Fred (Nicole DeJarnatt) Blythe II; Kathy (Derek) Grimes; Anne (Jim) Price; Elisa (Tim) Cornman; and three stepchildren, Christina Knight; Stephanie (Randy) Weaver; and Nicholas (Amie) Curtin. He leaves behind 16 grandchildren, including Stormy Doug Wayland; Bailey (Carlee) Grimes; Katherine (Byrun) Ratliff; Cole (Hannah) Grimes; Lauren Price; Dylan (Julianne) Grimes; Austin (Kenadie Yeary) Grimes; Caroline (Preston Turner) Price; Piper Cornman; Jeffrey Knight; Timothy Knight; Lukas Weaver; Colin Weaver; Nathan Curtin; William Curtin; and Sabrina Curtin. He is survived by five siblings, Betty Meador; Clyde Blythe; Mildred Chenault; Bonnie Camp; Susan Blythe; his first wife, Sharon (Layton) Blythe; and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at Asbury Church (Mason Chapel), 6767 S. Mingo Rd., Tulsa, OK 74133, on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at 1 p.m.

Memorial contributions to Eastern Oklahoma Donated Dental Services are appreciated and can be made online (eodds.org) or mailed to 9810 E. 42nd Street, Suite 210, Tulsa, OK 74146.