John Wallace Ringgold

Born: July 29, 1938

Death: March 13, 2023

John Wallace Ringgold, 84, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, entered the loving arms of his Lord and Savior on Monday, March 13, 2023. He was born on July 29, 1938, to Allen Zeb Ringgold of Arkansas, and the former Mary Arvazine Reeves of Oklahoma, in Wellington, Texas.

During his young life John moved with his family to multiple states until the age of 12 when he came to live with his maternal Aunt Emma and Uncle Joe Duniven in Oklahoma City. John graduated from Webster Jr. High, Central High School as well as completed numerous OCCC courses.

John met and married the love of his life, Nancy Jean Monaghan, on June 13, 1968. He said his proudest family moment was, “Making a blended family come together as one, 3 boys and 4 girls. Never yours or mine but always ours”. Throughout their 55-year love affair they did everything together and preferred one another’s company to all others. They could be heard joking and challenging each other on multiple areas of interest all in love. Their shared faith and devotion to God was the bedrock of their relationship.

John truly enjoyed working and interacting with others. His humor and ability to tell a “story” endeared him to all those lucky enough to meet him. His hard work and perseverance allowed him to advance in the United States Postal Service from a clerk to the Director of Support Services over a 29-year career. Not ready to settle down, he worked another 28 years at Old Republic Title Company whom he said had “wonderful people” and considered them as part of his 2nd family.

In addition to his love of God and wife, he enjoyed golf, OU football, Sunday school, and leisure time with Nancy. He loved trips to Texas to join a PGA gallery with son, Tommy, to watch the pros play. Loud cheers and boos could be heard throughout the home any time an OU game was playing as they were season ticket holders for many years. John and Nancy are members of First United Methodist Church. John supported the congregation as a layman with his tithes and talents in many leadership roles over 21 years. He was a Sunday school teacher, President, Treasurer, served on Administrative Council for 3 years, and SPRC Council for a term. He and Nancy traveled the state and country walking in a walking club. Further they enjoyed spending time at their home away from home in Branson, MO.

John loves his family. He loves his wife. He loves each one of his sons and daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. He covered his family in prayer. His greatest desire is for each of them to come to the saving grace of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He is cheering for us on the other side. God is Good.

John is preceded in death by parents Allen and Mary Ringgold, his beloved Aunt Emma and Uncle Joe, sister Imogene Ringgold, son David Leon Lovelady, and grandsons John Wallace Ringgold and Justin Regan Renbarger.

He is lovingly survived by his wife Nancy of the home; son Tom (Cathy) Ringgold of Dallas, TX; son Curtis (Donna) Ringgold of Okmulgee, OK; daughter Tammy Lovelady of Jacksonville, NC; daughter Debbie Ringgold Wright of Checotah, OK; daughters Vicki Lovelady and Cheri Lovelady of Oklahoma City, OK;

Grandchildren Shonda (John) McFadden, Summer (Sonny) Wiggins, Patrick (April) Pierce, Stephanie (Bryan) Bolerjack, Curtis Ringgold Jr., Eric (Tammy) Ringgold, Benjamin Michael Cass II, Harry (Lauren) Wright, Jesse (Heather) Ringgold, Trisha (Derek) Edmonds, Grant (Jessica) Looney, Andrew Mellencamp (Meryl), Tiffany Ringgold Heatly, Paul Durkin (Zahra), and David Durkin. 30 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.

He is dearly loved and will be truly missed by all who knew him.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 7, 2023, at 1:00pm at First United Methodist Church, 131 NW Fourth St, Oklahoma City, OK 73102

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AdvantageSouth.com for the Ringgold family.