Eugene Lawrence Ker

A kind and happy soul left this earthly life and returned Home on September 21, 2018. His family will miss him greatly, his kindness, his smile, his “Thank You” and his loving guidance. Services to celebrate the life of Eugene Lawrence Ker will be Monday, September 24 at 11 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1501 Swan Drive in Bartlesville, Oklahoma with Bishop Brendon Swisher conducting. There will be a family visitation Sunday, September 23 from 5-7 p.m. at the Stumpff Funeral Home. Also, a viewing will be held Monday 9:30-10:30 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints prior to the services. Eugene Lawrence Ker, age 93, son of Robert Eugene and Myrtle Lavon Wheeler Ker was born of goodly parents September 3, 1925 in the log cabin home of his grandparents in Poplar, Bonneville County, Idaho. He has many fond stories and happy memories of growing up on the Ker farm and attending school in Ririe, Idaho, graduating in April 1943. Eugene was drafted into the Army in July 1944 training in Camp Fannin, Texas before active combat in the Northern France, Rhineland and Ardennes campaigns with Company 1, 134th Infantry, 35th Division. Injured in action in Germany after only 2 ½ months then spending 9 months in hospitals, he received a medical discharge in December 1945 as well as the Purple Heart. In December 1946, Eugene served a 2 year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Central States, mostly Arkansas and Kansas. Kind people who offered beds and food for them as they served in country areas were among some of his favorite experiences. During this time, he met a beautiful young woman he later asked to marry. Betty Lou Hodson and Eugene Lawrence Ker were married and sealed for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple July 27, 1949. They lived and worked on the Ker Farm for two and one half years before being called to serve a mission together back in the Central States Mission in December 1951, serving mainly in Kansas and Oklahoma. Betty was released when expecting their first child and moved to Bartlesville to live with her parents while Eugene finished two years of service December 1953. After a brief stay in Idaho, the young Ker family moved permanently to the Bartlesville-Dewey area in 1954 where he worked for 30 years in the Phillips 66 Petroleum Company in the accounting department. Upon retirement, they greatly enjoyed trips to Idaho, the Tetons and Yellowstone Park. While raising their family of four children, Eugene served in the Dewey Recreation Association and coached some of his children’s ball teams. He served in leadership with the Tom Mix Music Festival, Dewey Bulldogger Booster Club and the Band Booster Club. He served a number of years as treasurer with the Washington County American Red Cross. A faithful and active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all of his life provided him with many wonderful and meaningful service opportunities. Serving in District Presidencies and in various stake callings, he met and served a number of members in northeastern Oklahoma putting in long hours on Sundays and traveled many miles. He always appreciated the love and support of his wife and would often take 1 or 2 of the children with him. He actively served in anyway asked until the past three years during which he found other ways to serve. His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren love and appreciate the examples of faith in and testimony of Jesus Christ, love, kindness, gentleness and patience. These examples, smiles and even temper will always be his legacy to his family. Eugene was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, in 2009. In 2015, he left his home and area of 60 years, to live in Glenpool but soon found his way to his “home” of the past almost 3 years at Saint Simeon’s Health Care Center. There he learned in new ways to be of service to other residents. He and his family loved the beautiful facility and had a number of family gatherings as his mobility became limited. Eugene was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, his parents, brothers Norton, Archie and Billie and granddaughter Danielle Roberts. He is survived by his four children, Ron (Sharee) Ker of Provo, Utah; Candice (Gerald) Roberts of Oklahoma City; Dale (Charlotte) Ker of Tulsa; Sandy (David) Tuckett of Glenpool, grandchildren Ryan, Stacey, Crystal & Travis, Emily, Jeremiah, Jessica, Jerediah, Dillon, Aubrie, Amy, Alayna and Abby and 33 great grandchildren. Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery. Local arrangements are under the direction of the Stumpff Funeral Home and Crematory.

Eugene Lawrence Ker

September 3, 1925 - September 21, 2018