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Gordon Thomas Rupert, Sr. was born June 8, 1931 to William Grover and Minnie Mae Rupert in Montour County, Pennsylvania. He was the youngest of eight children. He lost his father when he was only six years one.
He met the love of his life, Barbara Frantz when she was only 15 years old. They married when Gordon returned from his Air Force assignment to England on December 19, 1952. They made their first home at Donaldson AFB, SC until he was honorably discharged in Sept. 1954.
They were blessed with two sons, G. Thomas and Timothy Ray.
Gordon was called to fulltime pastoring and moved the family from Pennsylvania to Oklahoma to attend Bethany Nazarene College in 1968. Gordon was always a bivocatioinal pastor, working a fulltime secular job while pastoring full time. He and Barbara pastored in NW OK- Watonga Indian Mission, Oakridge, Buffalo, Isabella and Hennessey as well as a short missionary assignment to Florence, Alabama. Even after Gordon retired in 1996 they remained active in their local churches. Gordon loved his Lord Jesus first and foremost. He adored his wife and family. He believed in the church of the Nazarene that he served for almost 50 years.
Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, and two sisters.
Gordon is survived by his loving wife Barbara; two sons G. Thomas (Beverly) of Oklahoma City, Timothy (Lori) of Sand Springs; grandchildren Amy Spigelmyer (Ki) of Arlington, TX, Trisha Mowery (Rich) of Fargo, ND, Adam Rupert (Cassy) of Clarks Summit, Penn,, Amanda Clark (Bryon) of Owasso, OK, and Jennifer McNulty of Tulsa, OK; great grandkids Dominic LaRocco, Joey Campbell, Tommy Spigelmyer, Chloe Clalk, Gwen McNulty, and Nyla Clark; one sister Harriett Miheim of Muncy, Penn., and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial service will be 11:00 AM, Tuesday, April 3, 2108 at the Enid First Nazarene Church. Burial will be in Fort Gibson National Cemetery. Cremation arrangements are by Anderson-Burris Funeral Home & Crematory. Visitation for family and friends will be Monday evening 6:00 to 8:00 at the funeral home.
Gordon passed from this life to his heavenly reward March 31, 2018 at the age of 86 years, 9 months and 23 days. He will be missed by family and friends alike. Earths loss but heavens gain. Well done thou good and faithful servant! We will see you again!!
Barbara Evelyn (Frantz) Rupert, age 90, passed away on January 19th, 2024, in Oklahoma City, OK. She was born December 24th, 1933, to Chester Frantz and Eva Nellie (Bartlow) Frantz in Lewis Township, Northumberland County, PA.
She married Gordon T. Rupert, Sr., December 19, 1952, in Muncy, PA. After their marriage they moved to Greenville County, SC, where Gordon served in the USAF at Donaldson AFB. They returned to PA in 1954 after Gordon discharged from the USAF. They moved to OK in 1968 for Gordon to attend college and study for the ministry. Barbara and Gordon pastored churches throughout NW Oklahoma for more than 40 years. They retired to Hennessey, OK, later moving to Enid, OK. Barbara moved to Oklahoma City to be near her sons in 2019 after Gordon passed away.
Barbara was an avid reader; she enjoyed Bible-based studies as well as Amish fiction. She played the piano for most of the churches they served. After having taught herself how to play the piano, she taught herself to play the organ as well. Barbara was also an expert seamstress, sewing a complete three-piece suit for each of her sons. Barbara and Gordon loved to travel. Each summer they made trips back to PA to see family. Barbara enjoyed art in many forms since high school. She designed dresses in high school and did water color paintings and chalk drawings for church ministry. Barbara served alongside her husband in each church. She taught Sunday school and served as missionary president and local board member.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Gordon Rupert; her parents; her siblings, Willis T. Frantz, Chester F. Frantz, Jr., George R. Frantz, and Mary E. Gardner.
She is survived by her two sons, G. Thomas Rupert (Beverly), Timothy R. Rupert (Lori); grandchildren, Amy Spigelmyer (Ki), Trisha Mowery (Rich), Adam Rupert (Cassie), Amanda Clark (Byron), Jennifer McNulty (Chris); and 15 great-grandchildren. Barbara is also survived by one sister, Idella Mae Sherman, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Celebration of life memorial service will be January 24, 2024, at Williams Church of the Nazarene, 6900 NW 50th St., Bethany, OK. Interment will be at Fort Gibson National Cemetery, Fort Gibson, OK.
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