Submitted by
Louise Willison

Ivan Dean Ramsey

Ivan Dean Ramsey, longtime Ponca City resident, died early Thursday afternoon, June 15, 2006, at his home. He was 79.

The funeral has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, June 19, in Crestview Baptist Church with the Rev. Mike Riley officiating. Burial will follow in Newkirk Cemetery under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service. Mr. Ramsey will lie in state at the funeral home Sunday from 1 until 9 p.m.

Ivan Dean Ramsey was born March 31, 1927, in Vandalia, Mo., the son of Alfred and Gladys Lewman Ramsey. He grew up on farms in the Kay County and Arkansas City areas

On Jan. 7, 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Makin Island (CVE 93) and the USS Mayrent (DD402). He took part in the battles of Iwo Jima, Okinawa and the Leyte Gulf and was awarded the Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, four stars and the Philippine Liberation Campaign Ribbon, one star. He was honorably discharged May 8, 1946.

On Dec. 11, 1945, he and Kathryn Edith Hester were married in Winfield, Kan. The couple made their first home in Arkansas City. They moved to California for a short time and then to Ponca City. They later moved to Kansas City for Ivan's plumbing training for nine months. The family returned to Ponca City where they have since resided.

Turning prematurely white, he was known as "the white haired plumber that smoked a pipe" to everyone who didn't know his name. He worked in various plumbing shops before he served as the city plumbing inspector until his retirement.

He raised and bred Appaloosa horses, and he grafted his beloved pecan trees at his home of 51 years. Mrs. Ramsey died Aug. 25, 2000.

He was a member of the Crestview Baptist Church and the Ponca City American Legion Huff-Minor Post 14.

His survivors include a daughter, Deanna Hass of Ponca City; one grandson, Greg Cusick of Oklahoma City; and a sister, LaVerne Coate of Myrtle Creek.

In addition to his wife Kathryn, he was preceded in death by an infant son, Harold, and two brothers, Alfred Ramsey Jr. and James Matney.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Ramsey's name to a charity of choice.