Viewing will be 4-8 PM Tuesday, November 26th, 2024 at the South Lakes location of Vondel L. Smith & Son Mortuary, 4000 SW 119th Street. Services to celebrate and honor her life will be held 1:00 PM Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at the South Lakes Chapel with burial following at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Norman, Oklahoma.

Ruth Stark Ford was born on March 7, 1932, in Inola, Oklahoma, to George and Vera Stark. As the youngest of seven children—her closest sibling eight years her senior—Ruth's early life was marked by resilience and community. When her mother passed away at the tender age of three, Ruth was raised by her widowed father, a hardworking farmhand. The entire town of Inola stepped in to nurture and support her, instilling in Ruth the values of perseverance and strength.

In high school, Ruth shone as a proud member of the girls' basketball team, and it was here that she discovered her passion for business education. Determined to carve her own path, Ruth worked as a secretary for the Department of Human Services for a year to fund her college dreams. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Education from Northeastern Oklahoma State University in Tahlequah, becoming the first in her family to attend college. Her journey was a testament to grit and determination—a true embodiment of the American dream.

On December 17, 1953, Ruth married Edsel William Ford of Tahlequah. Together, they built a life full of love and ambition, welcoming two sons, Edsel Jr. and Kelly.

After dedicating a decade to raising her sons, Ruth reignited her professional aspirations with an unwavering commitment to education. She earned a Master's Degree in Business Education from Central State University in 1967 and later completed all coursework for a Ph.D. at the University of Oklahoma—an incredible feat for a woman of her era.

Ruth's teaching career began at the Oklahoma School of Banking and Business, where she inspired students to dream big and break barriers. She later joined the inaugural faculty of South Oklahoma City Junior College (now OCCC) when it opened in July 1972, helping shape the institution's foundation. She retired in 1997.

A woman of many talents, Ruth joined in the family's love for aviation. The family owned several Cessna aircraft, and Ruth not only participated in aircraft restoration but also trained with the Civil Air Patrol. She possessed ability to land the family plane in an emergency—a true testament to her resourcefulness and fearlessness.

Ruth's adventurous spirit extended beyond the skies. She traveled extensively, exploring Germany, England, Russia, Italy, China, and countless destinations across the United States. She was an avid cruiser and a passionate supporter of the University of Oklahoma's sporting events. Whether attending bowl games, the Final Four, or the Women's College World Series, Ruth's energy and enthusiasm were contagious.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, George and Vera Stark; her brothers, Paul and Earl; her sisters, Pearl, Dorothy, Jean, and Margaret; and her beloved husband, Edsel Sr.

She leaves behind a legacy of empowerment and inspiration, survived by her two sons, Edsel Jr. and Kelly (wife, Anita); three granddaughters, Rebecca (husband, Kenneth Clinton), Jenny (husband, Jesse Merchant), and Christina (husband, Eric Wright); five great-grandchildren, Emerson, Harper, Theodor, Kinsley, and Xavier; and countless extended family members and friends.

Ruth Stark Ford's life was a shining example of what it means to defy expectations, pursue excellence, and leave an indelible mark on the world. She will be remembered as a pioneer, a role model, and a woman who lived boldly, unapologetically, and with endless curiosity.