Arlie Lee Gritts was born October 8, 1928 in Muskogee OK, the son of Stephen "Pete" and Bessie (Sipes) Gritts and he passed from this life on Friday, February 22, 2002 in Tahlequah OK.
Mr. Gritts grew up in Cherokee County and had attended school at Dwight Mission, Sequoyah Training School and Wyandotte Indian School.
Arlie entered the United States Army in 1951 and was stationed in Germany with the 29th. Heavy Tank Battalion, Medical Detachment. Following his discharge, he went to work with Burtek, Inc. and was employed from 1955 to 1983. He then went to work for Flight Safety Corporation and was an assembly line supervisor and electrical wiring specialist. They worked on aircraft simulators.
Arlie was married to Kathleen Joyce Thomas, April 8, 1959 and they lived in Broken Arrow since 1961. Mr. Gritts was active with his children's activities and helped manage and coach the girls' softball teams.
Arlie's greatest joy was his family and the family farm North of Tahlequah. He spent most of his spare time making farm improvements to the property. He retired in 1993 and moved to the farm. He designed and built his home and throughout his life he enjoyed raising Limousine cattle, July Wolf Hounds, fishing, hunting and horse racing.
Mr. Gritts was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother, Opal Craig: one brother, Eugene Gritts; 2 stepsisters, 2 stepbrothers and 2 aunts.
He is survived by his wife, Kathleen of the home; son, Gerald Gritts of Fort Collins CO; daughters, LaDonna "Dondie" Gritts of Broken Arrow, Lillian Keim of Coweta, Son-in-law, Patrick Keim; sister, Bonnie Arnold of Oklahoma City; brother, Jack "J.W." Gritts of Tahlequah; stepsister, Maxine Hayes of Tahlequah; stepbrothers, Pete Craig and Ricky Andrews of Tahlequah; 5 grandchildren, Tracy and husband Mike Smith, Lensey Henningsen, Lanice Keim, Jonice and husband Jeff Meziere and Deanna Keim. Arlie also leaves many other relatives, loved ones and friends.
Mr. Gritts grew up in Cherokee County and had attended school at Dwight Mission, Sequoyah Training School and Wyandotte Indian School.
Arlie entered the United States Army in 1951 and was stationed in Germany with the 29th. Heavy Tank Battalion, Medical Detachment. Following his discharge, he went to work with Burtek, Inc. and was employed from 1955 to 1983. He then went to work for Flight Safety Corporation and was an assembly line supervisor and electrical wiring specialist. They worked on aircraft simulators.
Arlie was married to Kathleen Joyce Thomas, April 8, 1959 and they lived in Broken Arrow since 1961. Mr. Gritts was active with his children's activities and helped manage and coach the girls' softball teams.
Arlie's greatest joy was his family and the family farm North of Tahlequah. He spent most of his spare time making farm improvements to the property. He retired in 1993 and moved to the farm. He designed and built his home and throughout his life he enjoyed raising Limousine cattle, July Wolf Hounds, fishing, hunting and horse racing.
Mr. Gritts was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother, Opal Craig: one brother, Eugene Gritts; 2 stepsisters, 2 stepbrothers and 2 aunts.
He is survived by his wife, Kathleen of the home; son, Gerald Gritts of Fort Collins CO; daughters, LaDonna "Dondie" Gritts of Broken Arrow, Lillian Keim of Coweta, Son-in-law, Patrick Keim; sister, Bonnie Arnold of Oklahoma City; brother, Jack "J.W." Gritts of Tahlequah; stepsister, Maxine Hayes of Tahlequah; stepbrothers, Pete Craig and Ricky Andrews of Tahlequah; 5 grandchildren, Tracy and husband Mike Smith, Lensey Henningsen, Lanice Keim, Jonice and husband Jeff Meziere and Deanna Keim. Arlie also leaves many other relatives, loved ones and friends.
Arlie Lee Gritts was born October 8, 1928 in Muskogee OK, the son of Stephen "Pete" and Bessie (Sipes) Gritts and he passed from this life on Friday, February 22, 2002 in Tahlequah OK.
Mr. Gritts grew up in Cherokee County and had attended school at Dwight Mission, Sequoyah Training School and Wyandotte Indian School.
Arlie entered the United States Army in 1951 and was stationed in Germany with the 29th. Heavy Tank Battalion, Medical Detachment. Following his discharge, he went to work with Burtek, Inc. and was employed from 1955 to 1983. He then went to work for Flight Safety Corporation and was an assembly line supervisor and electrical wiring specialist. They worked on aircraft simulators.
Arlie was married to Kathleen Joyce Thomas, April 8, 1959 and they lived in Broken Arrow since 1961. Mr. Gritts was active with his children's activities and helped manage and coach the girls' softball teams.
Arlie's greatest joy was his family and the family farm North of Tahlequah. He spent most of his spare time making farm improvements to the property. He retired in 1993 and moved to the farm. He designed and built his home and throughout his life he enjoyed raising Limousine cattle, July Wolf Hounds, fishing, hunting and horse racing.
Mr. Gritts was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother, Opal Craig: one brother, Eugene Gritts; 2 stepsisters, 2 stepbrothers and 2 aunts.
He is survived by his wife, Kathleen of the home; son, Gerald Gritts of Fort Collins CO; daughters, LaDonna "Dondie" Gritts of Broken Arrow, Lillian Keim of Coweta, Son-in-law, Patrick Keim; sister, Bonnie Arnold of Oklahoma City; brother, Jack "J.W." Gritts of Tahlequah; stepsister, Maxine Hayes of Tahlequah; stepbrothers, Pete Craig and Ricky Andrews of Tahlequah; 5 grandchildren, Tracy and husband Mike Smith, Lensey Henningsen, Lanice Keim, Jonice and husband Jeff Meziere and Deanna Keim. Arlie also leaves many other relatives, loved ones and friends.
Mr. Gritts grew up in Cherokee County and had attended school at Dwight Mission, Sequoyah Training School and Wyandotte Indian School.
Arlie entered the United States Army in 1951 and was stationed in Germany with the 29th. Heavy Tank Battalion, Medical Detachment. Following his discharge, he went to work with Burtek, Inc. and was employed from 1955 to 1983. He then went to work for Flight Safety Corporation and was an assembly line supervisor and electrical wiring specialist. They worked on aircraft simulators.
Arlie was married to Kathleen Joyce Thomas, April 8, 1959 and they lived in Broken Arrow since 1961. Mr. Gritts was active with his children's activities and helped manage and coach the girls' softball teams.
Arlie's greatest joy was his family and the family farm North of Tahlequah. He spent most of his spare time making farm improvements to the property. He retired in 1993 and moved to the farm. He designed and built his home and throughout his life he enjoyed raising Limousine cattle, July Wolf Hounds, fishing, hunting and horse racing.
Mr. Gritts was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother, Opal Craig: one brother, Eugene Gritts; 2 stepsisters, 2 stepbrothers and 2 aunts.
He is survived by his wife, Kathleen of the home; son, Gerald Gritts of Fort Collins CO; daughters, LaDonna "Dondie" Gritts of Broken Arrow, Lillian Keim of Coweta, Son-in-law, Patrick Keim; sister, Bonnie Arnold of Oklahoma City; brother, Jack "J.W." Gritts of Tahlequah; stepsister, Maxine Hayes of Tahlequah; stepbrothers, Pete Craig and Ricky Andrews of Tahlequah; 5 grandchildren, Tracy and husband Mike Smith, Lensey Henningsen, Lanice Keim, Jonice and husband Jeff Meziere and Deanna Keim. Arlie also leaves many other relatives, loved ones and friends.
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