Ronald Lee McAfee, a longtime Henryetta resident and businessman, died April 30, 2020 in Henryetta at the age of 83. He was born July 26, 1936 in Collinsville to Clyde Swain McAfee and Ruth Faye (Hawkins) McAfee.
Ron moved to Dewar when he was 2. He went to school and graduated from Dewar School in 1955. After graduation, he moved to Henryetta, got married to Louise Maurizzi and started his own business at the age of 19 in partnership with Bud Gaither called B&R TV until 1982 when Bud retired and Ron started Ron McAfee and Associates. He has been an involved businessman ever since, some 65 years. Ron helped build the first cable TV system in the country in Henryetta and hhelped build the KHEN Radio Station both downtown and at the cloverleaf of I-40 and 75.
Ron has been a life-long member of the Chamber of Commerce, as well as a founding member of the Henryetta Economic Development Authority. He was selected as Henryettan of the Year in 1995. Ron has always been involved in organizations that helped Henryetta become a better place to live. He helped organize the Jaycees. They started the Little League in Henryetta and built the original ball field, which is now where the high school play their games; they sponsored the Soap Box Derby every year and had the first girl to compete (Teresa Doneti); put up the street signs in Henryetta; among many other community projects.
As of this September, he would have had 65 years of perfect attendance in the Henryetta Lions Club, specifically 64 years and 7 months to date. Ron took great pride in all the projects the Lions Club has done for Henryetta over the years, mainly the Community Christmas Basket Program. Having been such a dedicated member of the Lions, his Club presented him with a Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, stating that he had accomplished all the goals and basis for being a member of the Lions Clubs International Organization. Another of his favorite projects was the sponsorship of many Little League teams over the years.
Ron is preceded in death by his parents, Clyde Swain McAfee and Ruth Faye (Hawkins) McAfee and his only bother, Robert (Bobby) McAfee.
Ron leaves his wife of almost 40 years, Mary of the home; daughter, Ronnia McAfee Andrews and husband Ricky of Schulter; three grandchildren: Curtis Andrews and wife Pansy with Gabriel and Faythe of Schulter, Laura Andrews Lewis and husband Jason with Cliffy of Okmulgee, Shawn Andrews and fiance' Katie with Logan, Emma and Warren of Okmulgee; sister-in-law, Victoria Goldenberg and husband Charles of New York; one brother-in-law, Burl Cummings of Henryetta; three step-children: Bonnie Tarwater and husband Jimmy of Eufaula, grandchildren, Nicholas Andrews and son, Brycin, Tammy Andrews Evans and husband Shan with daughter MaKayla Baxter of Henryetta, Kevin Bailey and wife Mikki with Daniel, Levi and Kalli of Glenpool, Robert Louchery III and wife Irina of Florida with grandchildren Victoria and husband Edgar of Texas with Ezekiel and Vanessa Louchery of Texas and Alexia Louchery of Florida; Alysha Nicole Louchery and fiance' Karl of Tulsa, grandchildren Taylor and husband Alex with Grant of Texas; Devon Harvey of Tulsa; and Tyler Harvey and Adelynn of Tulsa.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 15, 2020 at Integrity Funeral Service. Rev. Ryan Wells will officiate.
Arrangements are under the direction of Integrity Funeral Service.
The family would ask that in lieu of flowers donations be sent to the Henryetta Lions Club.