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Ritz, Marion "Tunney" F.

August 6, 1922 –
 November 6, 2015

Obituary

Memorial services for Mr. Ritz will be held at 2:30 P.M. on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at Prestonwood Court located at 7001 W. Plano Parkway, Plano, TX 75093 and another service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at New Life Baptist Church (Broken Arrow) 851 W. Norman Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74012 He is preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Mary Aileen Pritchett Ritz. He is survived by his son, David M. Ritz of Dallas, Texas and his daughter, Andrea Ritz Saloman of Jenks, Oklahoma; 5 Grandchildren and 4 Great Grandchildren. Tunney was born to Arthur and Edith Bier Ritz on August 6, 1922 in Okeene, Oklahoma. He was the youngest of 4 chikdren. He and older brother, Melvin Ritz adopted the names of championship boxers, Gene Tunney and Jack Dempsey, respectively. Tunney graduated from Okeene High School in 1940 and joined the Navy in 1942, stationed in the Soloman Islands until 1945. He was relocated to Olathe, Kansas where he met Mary Pritchett at the USO Club and after one year’s courtship, they married June 1, 1946. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 1950 with a B.S. in Business Administration, Tunney joined Stanolin Oil Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma. When he transferred to Oklahoma City in 1951, Tunney’s business career and family life took off. Son, David was born in 1953 and daughter, Andrea in 1957. Tunney became an accomplished bowler in the Standard Oil Company of Indiana City League. As a member of the “Sharks”, Tunney led the league in scoring for three championship years. Tunney’s focus turned to coaching baseball in the early 1960’s. He led his son, David’s team to the OKC championship in 1965. Tunney was elected President of the Nimitz Admirals Quarterback club in 1967. After Tunney’s company consolidated back to Tulsa in 1965, his wife, Mary’s health began to deteriorate.  For the next 37 years, Tunney served faithfully and cared for Mary’s every need until she succumbed to rheumatoid arthritis in 2002. The final chapter of Tunney’s life began in October 2013 when he moved to the Prestonwood Court Assisted Living Center to be closer to his son, David. There they pursued their passion for St. Louis Cardinals Baseball and OU Football. In God’s providence, Tunney passed to his eternal reward on November 6, 2015. The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made in Mary and Tunney’s honor to the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation 200 Oceangate, Suite 830, Long Beach, California 90802 or http://www.curearthritis.org/ Arrangements are under the direction of ARIA Cremation Service and Funeral Home 19310 Preston Road Dallas, Texas 75252 214-306-6700

    Resa(Irwin) Landrum
    15 Nov 2015
    4:09pm

    I was sorry to hear about Tunney’s death but rejoice with the family in his home going. I have fond memories of he and Mary spending time with my father and mother, Glen and Fran Irwin. I know they were dear friends. Tunney was a wonderful godly example to many as he selflessly cared for his dear wife, Mary. Both of their lives brought much glory to our Lord Jesus Christ. My sympathies to the family. Resa (Irwin) Landrum

    Bill McLean
    15 Nov 2015
    9:53pm

    I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Tunney while at Amoco in Tulsa in the mid-1980’s. I have thought about him in the years since and what I remember most is that he was a kind and gentle person with an easy and quick smile. He was intelligent, humble, easygoing, and a down-to-earth person. I remember at his retirement party how he attended to his wife in such a gentle manner, giving a great example of what truly is love. I don’t think he realized what a positive influence he was to me at that time in my life, but he certainly was! I am sure I will continue to remember the gentle man Tunney was throughout my life! I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to his family.

    Dale & Cheryl Davison
    15 Nov 2015
    9:53pm

    Our fond memories of Tunney include watching him play catch with 6 year old Kyle while Ashley and Kendra played softball, and Tunney and Mary in her wheelchair always there to watch Kyle play football and always with a smile. We are saddened to learn of Tunney’s death.

    Mike Hamilton
    16 Nov 2015
    7:35pm

    What a joy to know Tunney Ritz and his family. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and friend to many.

    Cheryl Bradford
    16 Nov 2015
    11:38pm

    I have known Tunney for about 18 years. I met he and Mary at FBC in Tulsa. He took such great care of her. She always looked awesome! After Mary died my kids and I went to visit him and Chili every week after school. We became close friends and have been ever since. He was like a “stand in” grandfather to my kids. He will be greatly missed!!

    Lissa (Ritz)Andersen
    17 Nov 2015
    3:16pm

    So sorry for the loss of Uncle Bud. I talked to George and he had told me about being called yesterday. I will lift you and Andrea up in my prayers

    Carolyn Wilson
    18 Nov 2015
    1:15am

    I am so grateful to have known Mr. and Mrs. Ritz. They were a positive influence in my life and I will remember each of them fondly forever. I enjoyed reading the other condolences because they beautifully captured Mr. Ritz. He was most certainly gentle, humble and kind. Mr. and Mrs. Ritz shared a powerful love. What a gift their lives were to each other and to their children. I smiled when I read that Mr. Ritz was living in Dallas to be near David. I remember them cheering on the Cardinals long ago in the family room on 56th Street. I wish I could share in the celebration of his life. I will be thinking of you.

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