Ira Lee Carruth

Ira Lee Carruth was born to David and Carrie Carruth on June 26, 1928, at Brown County, Texas. He wasn't ashamed to admit that he was born in a tent, during a thunderstorm. On September 6, 2011, he was peacefully called home by his Lord and Saviour. He married Betty Sue Moxley on September 27, 1951. In just a couple of weeks would have been their 60th wedding anniversary, and he would have been the first one to tell you, 'That's a long time." He loved the Lord. He loved his family. His family was his life. He had a beautiful life. His love for the Lord came at a very young age. When he was around 5 years old he came running in the house hollering "mama, mama, Jesus is coming". Of course his mama believed him and went running out the door looking for Jesus. He served his country in the U.S. Marine Corp from 1954 until 1960. He was proud to be a Marine. He and Betty carved out a lifetime of wonderful memories with their four daughters and families over the years living at Midland, Texas, Andrews, Texas, Munday, Texas and Maysville, Oklahoma. One of the highlights of his life would include annual family reunions meeting at the lake, camping and fishing. He was loved my many. Known as husband, Daddy, Father-in law, Paw-paw, brother, and Uncle R-Lee. He clung to many memories and loved to sit and tell stories of growing up in West Texas. He shared the hardships they encountered trying to farm in "That old West Texas sand." His parents raised 4 sons and one daughter. His parents and all 3 brothers preceded him in death: Alvin Carruth, Jodie Carruth and Freddie B. Carruth, all of Andrews, Texas. His sister is Lillie Mae Parker from Burleson, Texas. His family would tell you that he and his brothers were very rowdy when they got together. They were definitely known to raze the roof when they got together playing 42 until all hours of the night. He loved telling stories about camping and fishing trips with his family on the Llano River. If you asked his girls what some of their best memories were of their daddy, they would tell you they are too numerous to mention here. They would all agree and tell you that he was the best Daddy in the world. They would tell you that he always expected them to behave. He was a diciplinarian, but they would also tell you that they knew if there ever was a spanking, it was always followed by an ice cream cone. They would tell you of the many times that he chased bunny rabbits by foot and brought them home as pets in his lunch box; the homemade slip n slides, playhouses, swingsets and with four girls, he put his share of time putting doll houses together. But he also took the time to teach them how to handle guns, drive boats, drive stick shift, catch fish, bait their own hooks, take their own fish off the hook, and run trot-lines. He spent countless hours in a boat pulling his girls skiing. He'd run by the bank ever so often and holler "bring me something to drink and a sandwich". His girls will tell you they never trusted anyone but daddy to pull them behind a boat. On occasion, his ornery nephews would get the ride of their life behind his boat. He loved his sons-in-law, after all, they took all these girls off his hands. He loved all of his grandchildren and they all loved him very much in return. He loved to take them fishing, rides on his pontoon boat and always wanted to watch them in any activity they participated in. His wife, Betty, was truely the love of his life. They made many friends over the last 21 years going south every winter to Zapata, Texas. He retired from Mobile Oil/Superior Oil in 1988. He had a beautiful life. Ira is survived by his wife, Betty Carruth, Maysville, Oklahoma. His daughters: Diana Graham and husband, Eldon Graham of Wanette, Oklahoma; Julie Casey and husband Rudy Casey of Rule, Texas; Beth Arnold and husband, Paul Arnold of Maysville, Oklahoma; and Teri Carruth of Maysville, Oklahoma. Sister: Lillie Mae Parker of Burleson, Texas. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren: Christi Carruth and husband, Joe Hooser of Wanette, Oklahoma; Tommy Casey of Rule, Texas; Paula Halbedel and husband, Mike Halbedel of Arkansas; Mike Casey and wife, Crystal Casey of Rule, Texas, Shane Wyatt of Maysville, Oklahoma; Danny Ward of Maysville, Oklahoma; Jessie Arnold of Maysville, Oklahoma; Hunter Fleetwood and Garrett Fleetwood of Chickasha, Oklahoma. 14 great-grandchildren and one on the way. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm, Thursday, September 8, 2011 at Winans Funeral Home Chapel, Maysville, OK with Rev. Tim Carr officiating. Burial will be in the Maysville Cemetery under the direction of John Williams of Winans Funeral Home, Maysville, OK. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.winansfuneralhome.com