Cecil Ingram

Cecil Ray Ingram was born to Martin Littleton Ingram and Anna Blanche (Wright) Ingram on Oct 29, 1933, in Kemp, Okla.

He grew up in the Caney area and was a graduate of Caney High School.

Newly-minted diploma in hand, Cecil moved to Borger, Texas, and landed a job with Phillips Petroleum Company.

One Sunday, Cecil was sitting in church when his eye was caught by the prettiest girl in the choir. He turned to his friend and said, “I’m going to marry that girl.”

Cecil and Laura Ann Fowlkes were married on June 4, 1954. They celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary this past summer.

Cecil and Laura welcomed Mark and Celia to their family while they lived in Borger.

Cecil’s ability to fix anything with “baling wire, duct tape and WD-40” combined with his work ethic led to some incredible job opportunities, the first was to Portland, Texas, where Clif and Lori completed their family.

In 1968, Cecil’s career took the young family to Tripoli, Libya, where Cecil worked as a mechanical supervisor in the Libyan desert.

It was a grand adventure, but a tumultuous time to be there as Colonel Muammar Gaddafi took power during their stay. When he nationalized the oilfield and ordered foreigners out of the country, Phillips transferred Cecil to Stavanger, Norway.

Cecil and Laura loved their time in Norway. They developed long and lasting friendships with other oilfield families and with Norwegians. They lived in Norway for eight glorious years.

Cecil’s best day ever was the day he returned to Stavanger in 2014 with Laura and 25 progeny in tow to show his grandchildren the house and city that were the backdrops for so many great memories as they raised their family.

In 1978, Cecil, Laura and Lori returned to the United States for good.

Cecil had accepted a job as superintendent of the Sooner Gas Gathering System and they landed in Kingfisher. He retired in 1986 after spending his entire career of 35 years with Phillips Petroleum Company.

Cecil was a deacon and devoted member of First Baptist Church of Kingfisher. He loved the Lord with his whole heart and lived his faith every day.

He served his church family wherever he was needed, but those who were ill, widowed and those confined to their homes held a special place in his heart. Representing the church body through visitation was very important to him and he was faithful to this calling.

Cecil was a 32nd degree Mason and through the years was active in Rotary Club, served as a Red Cross volunteer, Gideons International and he served on the board of Hand in Hand with Africa, a faith-based organization working to battle the AIDS crisis on that continent through treatment, education and training.

Cecil’s hobbies included spending time with friends and families at Lake Texoma, gardening, walking his little dogs, Duke, followed by his dear Queenie and tinkering.

He saw potential in every piece of wire, screw and nail he found, so he kept them all. He never left a hubcap by the side of the road, either, because someone might need it.

Cecil left us for his Eternal home in Heaven on Nov. 2020.

Our hearts are broken, but we are so grateful for many memories we have left of our beloved dad, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Cecil is survived by his wife, Laura Ann of Kingfisher; his children and their spouses Mark and Cherie Ingram of Loyal, Cecelia and Jaime Valencia of Houston, Texas, Clif and Laurie Ingram of Litchfield, Ill. and Lori and Jeff Hayes of Lovington, N.M.

Papa Cecil also leaves behind his adoring grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jennifer Ingram of Oklahoma City; Caleb and Shaika Ingram, Connor, Casen and Lachlan of Taylorville, Ill.; Randy and Samantha Ingram, Madalynn and Kambri of Kingfisher; Lauren and Blaine Grabow, Lasi, Lathyn and Owen of Loyal; Bethany, Daniel and Oliver Wu of Austin, Texas; Weston Ingram of Loyal; Julia Valencia and fiance Carlos Ruiz of Houston; Joel and Caroline Ingram of Long Beach, Calif.; Amanda Hayes of Oklahoma City; Nicholas Valencia of Houston; Grace Ingram, student resident of Jackson, Tenn.; and Sarah Ingram of Litchfield, Ill.

He also leaves behind his sister-in-law Margaret and husband Larry Rider of Fritch, Texas, and sister-in-law Lydia Fowlkes of Amarillo, Texas, in addition to a host of nieces and nephews, his many dear friends and his treasured church family.

Cecil was preceded in death by his parents Martin and Anna; sisters and their spouses, Clara and Vernon Witthrow and Ed and Lucille Phelps; brothers-in-law Melvin Fowlkes and Jack Fowlkes and wife Doris; and great-grandchild Cade Ingram.

A graveside service was 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, at the Kingfisher Cemetery.