Merle Leon Ringle was born on July 28, 1940, in Salina, Kan., to George Stonebraker and Doris Lane (Starr) Ringle. Merle passed away on Thursday, June 8, 2023, in Plano, Texas at the age of 82.
Merle graduated from Salina High School and was the owner of Ringle Construction for many years until his retirement at eighty. He married Glenda Joyce Morris on December 20, 1986.
Merle Ringle was born into a construction family. He took to it like a duck to water. After high school he joined a company that constructed the Atlas Missile Sites. Honing his skills there he became a master builder. He was promoted through the ranks to General Superintendent. Over the years he changed companies to begin building five and dime stores, Duke N Ayer’s. Later moving to Durant in 1967, he became a trusted team member for Danielson Construction building elementary schools, Safeway Distribution Plant, and multiple facilities within Perrin Air Force Base. He began traveling supervising the building of Gibson stores across the country, taking his young son Gerry with him during summer months teaching him all about construction.
With a growing family in Durant, he started his own construction company. His considerable skill meant he was in demand to build banks, medical and dental offices, correction facilities, hanger buildings and classrooms at Southeastern Aviation. He loved working and solving the day’s problems on the construction site. Retiring a couple times over the years but always going back to work to keep himself busy. He worked until he was 80 years old.
Merle’s second job was a husband, father, grandfather, and a great-grandfather. He loved each of those roles dearly. He was a father to three girls and two boys. He became a patient teacher to them. Teaching his oldest son to be brave, he taught him to ride motorcycles and passed down his love of racing. He could listen to Gerry’s racing stories endlessly. To his youngest son he gave his love of the outdoors. Trips to Colorado brought alive Josh’s love of hunting and fishing. With three girls it was necessary to be strong but also have a mild manner. With his oldest daughter he watched many talent pageants. As Monica grew up she gained his strong independent spirit. Chrissy, Merle’s second daughter, found herself with his creativity. Merle could conjure an idea then make it come to life. Jaimie, Merle’s youngest daughter, received his love of life, determination and organizational skills. He thought of her as his mini me. Merle was quick to giggle and have a wide grin. He enjoyed his life and wanted that for his family as well. He doted on his wife, Glenda. Taking frequent trips together they loved making memories as a family. They traveled first with Josh and then later just the two of them visiting all the grandkids and late in life even a great grandson. 
Living in Caddo close to Glenda’s family he gained even more family. He gained brothers and a sister; then nephews and a niece. He enjoyed the land they all shared. It brought him a second loving family. Surrounded by so much love, he was a happy man.
Merle is preceded in death by his father, George Ringle; mother, Doris Ringle and step-mother, Helen Ringle.
Merle is survived by his loving and devoted wife Glenda Ringle of the home; children, Gerry Ringle and wife Tatia of Royse City, Texas, Josh Ringle and wife Caroline of Calera, Okla., Chrissy Wood and husband Brian of Tulsa, Okla., Jaimie Cotter and husband John of Tulsa, Okla. and Monica Herrera and husband Cisco of Boston, Mass.; grandchildren: Jordan Ward and husband Kevin, Drew Wood and wife Sydney, Landen Wood, July Ringle, Eli Ringle, Lilah Cotter, Avah Cotter, Jordan Cotter, Kendall Cotter, and Mercedes Herrera; great grandson Kaleb Ward; sister-in-law, Rhonda Argo and husband Tony; brother-in-law, Wendell Morris and wife Jennifer and numerous extended family and friends.
A celebration of life in his honor will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at Brown’s Funeral Home.
Arrangements under the direction of Brown’s Funeral Home.
