Charles Alvin Rury

Charles Alvin Rury, EdD, of Bartlesville died on May 21, 2024. He was born on November 7, 1936, near Sterling, OK, to Clarence Alvin and Nellie Dee Rury. He was the third child of seven and graduated from Fletcher High School in 1955. Charles attended Central State College where he received both a bachelor’s degree in Business Education and English and a master’s degree in Teaching. During his education pursuits, he completed additional graduate work at five different institutions including, OU, KSU, Southwestern State College, Wilbur Wright College, and Dominican College of San Rafael. He later obtained a doctorate degree in Education from Oklahoma State University in 1983. Dr. Rury enthusiastically pursued his advanced degrees and believed “a person could be whatever they want to be by getting a solid education.” His work life consisted of teaching in Yerington, NV, Oklahoma City, and Lawton, and internationally with the Department of Defense Dependents Schools in Japan, the Azores (Portugal), Augsburg, Wurzburg, and Kaiserslautern, Germany. Upon his permanent return to the states, he assumed a professor’s role at NWOSU in Alva. He finished his 33-year teaching career at Bartlesville Public Schools. Charles served in the Army National Guard – 45th Div. from 1956 to 1964. On August 9, 1963, he married Betty Ann Bebee of Garber at Grace Assembly of God in Oklahoma City. The couple raised their two children, Teresa and Dwayne, in Fletcher before embarking on their overseas teaching endeavors in Augsburg. Charles ended his teaching career in 1991, but work continued with his full-time lawn care business, followed by his and Betty’s combined work as RV MAPS volunteers for many years, building and renovating churches, church colleges, and orphanages across America. Charles and Betty attended Assemblies of God churches at every stop and called both First Assembly of God (Spirit Church) and Revival Time in Bartlesville their church homes. Throughout his life, Charles valued a sense of community and volunteerism. He was involved in many clubs and organizations, including: Tuxedo and Alva Lions Clubs, Washington County Retired Educators Association (awarded Very Important Member from the Oklahoma Retired Educators Association in 1996), Disabled Veterans volunteer driver, Oklahoma Education Association, National Education Association, Oklahoma Business Education Association, Full Gospel Businessman’s Association, Usher at First Assembly of God, and a Board Member at Revival Time Outreach Center. Charles enjoyed many hobbies over the years, like volksmarching in Germany, catching up with family at reunions and holidays in Fletcher, shopping for treasures at garage sales, gardening, and visiting cities of distant relatives. He was a master conversationalist, always curious, and eager to share his experiences. Charles is survived by his wife of 60 years, Betty, his daughter Teresa (Clifford) Morgan of Bartlesville, son Dwayne (Christine) Rury of Tulsa, and grandsons Carson and Cooper Rury. In addition, grandchildren by marriage include Roy Morgan and Andrea (Jeff) Bastings, both of Bartlesville, and great- grandchildren Connor, Klayton, Kambria, and Carter. His siblings include Janie (Denis) Mantooth, Janis Rury, sister-in-law Marjorie Rury. He is preceded in death by siblings James Rury, Calvin Rury, Deloris Kloft, and Betty Jones. Visitation will be held on Monday from 12-5, at the Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel, 918-333-7665, 4201 Nowata Rd, Bartlesville. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Revival Time Outreach Center, 101 S. Virginia Ave., Bartlesville, OK 74003. Services will be held on Tuesday, 10 a.m., at the Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, 1 p.m., at the Fletcher Cemetery in Fletcher, OK. Services are under the direction of Carter Davis and the Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory – Walker Brown Chapel. Online condolences and remembrances may be shared at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.

Charles Alvin Rury

November 7, 1936 - May 21, 2024