Obituary of Reece Richard Boone, Jr., MD

Reece Richard Boone, Jr., MD died December 26, 2015 in Tulsa, OK at the age of 93. He was born in Troutdale, VA on April 7, 1922 and grew up in the coal country of West Virginia where his father was a blacksmith in the coal mines. Boone was an accomplished student and trumpet player who attended West Virginia University on a music scholarship but turned his talents to the field of medicine. He graduated from WVU and the Medical College of Virginia, and in 1942 married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Williams who had just received her Registered Nursing degree. Together, the two began an adventure of family, medical work and community service which spanned more than 73 years. During WWII, Boone was commissioned as an officer in the Army Air Force and assigned as a physician to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Later he began a six year surgical residency in Montgomery, WV then was recalled to the Air Force as chief surgeon at Otis Air Force Base, MA during the Korean War. The Boone family grew to include five sons, and in 1956 moved to Mooreland, OK. Dr. Boone began an active medical practice with the aid of his wife Ruth who became a Certified Nurse Anesthetist and assisted him in surgery. Boone’s only “Okie,” daughter Jane, was born in Mooreland where the family lived for more than 20 years. In 1977 he moved his practice to Watonga, OK until retirement in 1987. In retirement, the Boones toured the United States in an AirStream trailer, spent winters in Orlando, FL and in 2001 moved to Saint Simeon’s Senior Community in Tulsa. Their legacy of working together included not only the operating room, but also as accomplished private pilots who flew their own plane, and as tireless community volunteers. The Boones raised money for church projects, helped create the Mooreland Library, the Mooreland Airport, and they also led many other altruistic efforts. The Boones were ardent football fans, with all five sons playing college football in Oklahoma. They often flew their own plane to football games. Boone spent many years as a team physician for the high school and college teams his sons played for. Boone never lost his artistic flair, often picking up the trumpet, oil painting and wood carving. He was an avid stamp collector, enjoyed genealogy research and studying the American Civil War. He was also a dedicated writer who penned his own memoir. Boone was a member of the American Medical Association, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and published numerous articles in medical journals. He was an active member of The Boston Avenue United Methodist Church in Tulsa. His legacy of love with his wife Ruth includes six children, fourteen grand children, 21 great grandchildren and five great, great grandchildren. Boone was preceded in death by his son Fred and his son Bob and wife Judith. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Ruth; son Richard and wife Connie of Tulsa; son Tom and wife Jeannie of Broken Arrow; son John and wife Mimi of Edmond, daughter-in-law D’Anna of Moore; and daughter Jane and husband Scott Pelley of Darien, CT. Funeral arrangements are by Ninde Funeral Home in Tulsa. A memorial service will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 9, 2015 at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Saint Simeon’s Senior Community, 3701 M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Tulsa, OK 74106. Ninde Funeral Directors, Brookside Chapel (918) 742-5556 www.ninde.com