Ronald G. Mercer

So few people in this world are larger than life. But sometimes, the stars align and that rare person emerges.

Ronald Gene Mercer was one of those extraordinary individuals. He passed away Monday, Feb. 8, at Mercy Hospital from a massive stroke. He was born Oct. 14, 1930 in Newton, Kan., to Clifford and Mary Mercer. Ron attended Hutchinson High School and graduated in 1948. After high school, Ron attended KU on a football scholarship and pledged Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. He married Patricia Ann Riggs in 1950 and moved to Wichita, graduating from Wichita State in 1953. In 1960, Ron went to work for Ferguson Oil, an association that would last 15 colorful years. While with Ferguson, he moved the family from Wichita to Edmond to open an Oklahoma City office in 1966. He left Ferguson Oil in 1975 to establish a new company, Ennex Inc. The Ennex partnership dissolved in the mid-1980s and he moved his office to Edmond where he lunched with his cronies, worked up geology, played golf and bet on football, basketball and golf for the remainder of his life. He was a member of the Kansas Geological Society, the Oklahoma City Geological Society and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists where in 1971, he served as president of the mid-continent section. He also was a director of the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association and

was co-founder of the Oklahoma City Exploration Managers Group.

He is survived by Patricia, his wife of 59 years, brother Richard D. Mercer and wife Helen, brother Robert A. Mercer and wife Sis, son Ronald R. Mercer and wife Elaine, son Michael D. Mercer and wife Kay, daughter Melissa Mercer Howell, grandchildren Tami and Paul Brunner, Cristin Mercer, Ronald G. Mercer II and wife Sara, Kate Howell, Christina Rico and husband Rick, Conner Mercer, and great-grandchildren Brayden Kopp, Melody Fields and Cash Brunner and Ricky Rico.

A private burial at Memorial Park Cemetery, Edmond, will be followed by a memorial celebration at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at First Presbyterian Church, 1001 S. Rankin in Edmond.

Services are under the direction of BAGGERLEY FUNERAL HOME of Edmond, Oklahoma.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to “The Children’s Center,” Attn: Development Office, 6800 NW 39th Expressway

Bethany, OK 73008, 405-440-6714.