Ralph James Zeller

Ralph James Zeller was born to Albert Zeller & Opal Cain on May 25, 1935, in Mattoon, IL. He was welcomed into the loving arms of his heavenly father on May 17, 2023. Ralph was the youngest of his three brothers, John, Will & Carl, and was nicknamed “Red”, for red his hair.  Ralph’s father Albert passed away when he was only four years old.  His mother Opal later married James Myers, a preacher.  The family moved many times to new churches and cities over the next fifteen years and Ralph ultimately graduated from High School in Ashland Oregon.

Ralph had a deep love for his country, so after high school he enlisted in the US Air Force.  He was stationed in Iceland, then transferred to Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.  While he was working at Tinker in Communications that he met his forever love, Mary Frances Jenkins.  Ralph and Mary married on January 13, 1957, and soon after moved to Maud, OK.  Ralph and Mary spent fifty-five adventure filled years together before her passing. 

Ralph began his career as a farm and car part salesman.  While working at this job, he made the decision to attend college and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from East Central University.  After his graduation, Ralph worked at both an accounting firm and Citizens State Bank, before opening his own accounting firm in 1975.  Ralph always had a passion for the law, so he began attending law school and he graduated from Oklahoma City University in 1990.  Ralph opened his own law practice in Maud and later became the municipal judge for the towns of Maud, Konawa, and Asher.

Ralph believed that being active in church and the community was a vital role to one’s life.  Because of this belief Ralph was a teacher and deacon at Trinity Baptist Church, Seminole, a 50+ year member of the Maud-Konawa Masonic Lodge, a 32nd degree Masonic member of the Consistory Order of Scottish Rite, Valley at McAlester, a 50+ year member & past Patron of the Maud Order of the Eastern Star, President of the Oklahoma Judges Association, President & Executive Director of the National Municipal Judges Association, Boy Scout leader,  member of the Christian Motorcycle Association and Treasurer of the Oklahoma Rifle Association.

While Ralph loved to serve his community, his family was the most important thing in his life.  Whether it was working at the accounting office with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren or making his mother's famous waffles for them, he found joy in it all.    Ralph and Mary loved to take long road trips together including trips on their purple and silver Harley Davidson.  They also loved to travel with various family members to locations too numerous to count. Ralph also took great pleasure in being the family photographer, videographer and comedian.

Ralph is preceeded in death by his wife, mother, father, stepfather, mother and father-in-law and one brother. He is survived by his children, Katherine of the home, James & wife Katherine of Greenwood, AR and David & wife Mae of Maud, grandchildren Angela & Tyler Foster of Bentonville, AR, Denise & Jake Poull of Maud and Phillip Zeller of Maud.  Great Grandchildren, Brenden, Ryan, Brya & Dylan. Brothers John & Will Zeller, brothers in law Robert & wife Robbie Jenkins & Carl & wife Augusta Jenkins and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

The funeral service for Ralph will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 20, 2023, at Trinity Baptist Church in Seminole, Oklahoma with Randy McCown and Greg Walker officiating. Interment will follow at Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Seminole.

Casket bearers will be Brenden Poull, Ryan Poull, Mark Zeller, Bryan Jenkins, Robert Earl Jenkins and Roderick Jenkins. Honorary bearers will be Phillip Zeller, Tyler Foster, Jake Poull, Dylan Poull and Ben Zeller.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.

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