Ralph Miller Kovarik

Ralph Miller Kovarik, a longtime resident of Okmulgee, passed away on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, at the age of 89, at his home in Okmulgee. He was born on Wednesday, December 26, 1928 in Souris, North Dakota to the late Joe and Agnes (Miller) Kovarik. Ralph graduated from Lincoln High School in Lincoln, Arkansas in 1946 and soon joined the Army serving in the 747th Engineers Heavy Equipment unit during the Korean Conflict. He later went to barber college in Tulsa, Oklahoma where he met Annie Dola Capitola Tollison and they were married for 60 years. Ralph attended OSU Tech shortly after beginning his barber career in Okmulgee studying carpentry and graduating with honors. He built the home that he and Capitola lived in until his passing. Ralph and Capitola owned and operated Ralph’s Barber Shop in downtown Okmulgee for over 60 years and is still in operation by his sons Ralph and Roger. He retired in 2013 to stay home and take care of his wife till her passing in 2015. Ralph enjoyed gardening and watching ballgames on TV and doing “honeydoos” for Capitola. Ralph is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, brother, Clifford and a sister, Eva Curry. Ralph is survived by three sons, James Ray & Kazuko Kovarik of Moore, Oklahoma, Ralph J. Kovarik of Jenks, Oklahoma and Roger Kovarik of Jenks, Oklahoma, sister, Wilma Garber of Granby, Colorado and numerous nieces and nephews. A special thanks to his caregiver for the last three years, Anna Banks, who the family could not have done without. Also a special thanks to Rivercross Hopice for their compassion and care. Funeral Services for Ralph will be held on Tuesday, at 11:00 A.M. at the McClendon-Winters Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend Kevin Wadsworth and Chaplin Jimmy Foreman of Rivercross Hospice will officiate. Interment will follow the service at the Okmulgee Cemetery. Casketbearers will be Bob Pinkston, Mike Flud, Dave Miller, Bill Nygard, Steve Sigmon and Jay Dearmore. Viewing for Ralph will be on Monday, April 30, 2018 at the McClendon-Winters Funeral Home Chapel from 1:00 P.M. till 8 P.M. The family will be present for visitation from 5:00 P.M. till 7:00 P.M. Arrangements have been entrusted to the McClendon-Winters Funeral Home of Okmulgee.

Ralph Miller Kovarik

December 26, 1928 - April 25, 2018