A Funeral Service and a celebration of life for Ron Engel, 77, longtime Clinton educator and athletic director will be held 11:00 A.M., Friday, May 21, 2021 in the First United Methodist Church officiated by Pastor Rick Robart and speakers Mike Lee and Dave Meadows. Burial will conclude in the Stafford Cemetery under the direction of the Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home.
Ronald Lee Engel was born January 17, 1944 to Ed and Myrtle (Short) Engel in Clinton, OK and passed away late Sunday, May 16, 2021 in the Oklahoma Heart Hospital in Oklahoma City, OK.
He was raised in Elk City, OK where he graduated from Elk City High School in 1961. While in high school he was a three year letterman in football, basketball, baseball and track for the Elks. He made All District in football and was selected for All State in 1961 at quarterback.
He continued his education at the University of Oklahoma and was on the Sooner squad as a freshman. Following his sophomore year he transferred to Southwestern Oklahoma State University and played football two years for the Bulldogs and baseball from 1964 to 1966. Ron earned his Bachelor’s from SWOSU in 1966 and received his Masters in Guidance and Counseling in 1969.
Coach Engel began his teaching and coaching career in 1966 at Clinton High School. He taught in the classroom and accepted the position as assistant varsity football coach, a position he held until 1987.
During that twenty two year span, the Red Tornado Football teams made it to the playoffs fifteen times and won six State Championships in either Class A, 2A or 3A. Three of those State titles were back-to- back-to back in Class A in 1967, ’68 and ’69 Clinton also added three state Runners-up-titles, and four District Championships.
Ron became the Red Tornado’s head baseball coach in 1967. His teams won four District titles and made the State Baseball Tournament twice, reaching the class 2A Semifinals in 1976 and the Quarterfinals in 1978. Ron’s final year to coach was 1982. He also served Clinton Public Schools as Athletic Director for Twenty-eight years, from 1978 to 2008.
He gave a total of 43 years to Clinton High School youth by teaching, counseling, mentoring, coaching and most of all being a great example.
He is a member of the First United Methodist Church; he attended the Tri-M Sunday School Class and served in many capacities of the church as a greeter, usher, liturgies and administration boards. He also served in the church office, and maintained the flower beds for a number of years after his retirement. He was a 30 plus year member of the Oklahoma Coaches Association.
Ron married Jeanne Kincaid on June 8, 1970, and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 8, 2020. The two loved to travel together, raised cattle, gardening and entertaining friends and family.
He had noted those that have influenced his life, first his parents, Ed and Myrtle Engel, for the guidance they gave and their priority they put on education. His wife, Jeanne Engel, for being an awesome coach’s wife and mother to their children and to list only a few of the coaches for their hard work and dedication and just being good role models: Bob Thomas (Elk City High School Football); Port Robertson (OU); Otis Delaporte (SWOSU); Jim Frazier, Eddie Paul, Jerry Havens, Jack Treat, Dave Meadows, Willard Nahrgang, Mike Smith, Mike Lee (All Clinton High School) and others he coached and taught with.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Gerald Engel and Edward Engel; and son, Michael L. Engel.
He is survived by his wife, Jeanne, of the home; daughter, Shalyn Carpenter and husband, Terry, sister, Yvonne Davis; brother in law, Clark Kincaid, sister in law, Joann Sanders and a daughter in law, Cindy Ketchum Engel.
He is also survived by four grandchildren, Shelby Gladd and husband Cameron, Taylor Carpenter and his wife, Crystal, Colby Engel and Garrett Carpenter; two step grandchildren, Emily Ketchum, Keaton Ketchum and wife, Keele and their son, Elias and daughter Grace Lane; two nieces, Rhonda Powers and Sarah Mwaura; nephew, Ronnie Davis, and two great grandchildren, Gunner and Gracelyn Gladd.
The family suggests that those who desire may make a memorial contribution to the Friends for Life Animal Society, P.O. Box 1965, Weatherford, OK 73096 or the Clinton Public School Foundation, P.O. Box 822 Clinton, OK 73601.