Dr. Edward “Ed” Lee Fortenberry

Dr. Edward “Ed” Lee Fortenberry

1926-2019

Dr. Edward (Ed) Lee Fortenberry was born in Ada, OK on August 31, 1926. He joined his Lord on December 10, 2019, at the age of 93. He was part of the “Greatest Generation”. January, 1942, he joined the Navy by telling the recruiter he was 17, he was only 15. He served on the island of Midway as a Radioman. After WWII, Ed attended East Central State College where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business. He met his lifelong partner and bride, Charlene Kuykendall, where she worked as a ticket taker at a movie theater. They were married in Ada, OK in 1946 and remained happily married for 73 years until his passing.

Ed and Charlene lived in Edmond for just over 46 years. Ed was hired to teach typing at Central State College in 1962. Education and development was his passion as he continued to develop himself and eventually earn his PhD in Management from the University of Oklahoma. Ed continued to touch many in Edmond as he continued to teach at the University of Central Oklahoma, until he retired in 1997 after 35 years.

Ed and Charlene were avid, some would say rabid, Sooner fans. They had season tickets, not only for football, but also for both men’s and women’s basketball for over 50 years. Ed and Charlene traveled the country in their retirement years, enjoying each and every new place they experienced. If Ed met a stranger, he left them as a friend. He was known for his compassion for others and his sharp sense of humor, which he maintained up until the day he died.

Ed was preceded in death by their daughter, Debbie Fortenberry, and grandson Christopher Wright. He is survived by his wife of 73 years and two children, Denise Fortenberry Wright and her husband, Steven Wright of Meeker, OK. He is also survived by their son, Kevin Fortenberry and his wife Tammy Zerger Fortenberry, of Wylie, TX. The surviving grandchildren are Jason Wright of Edmond and Jeremy Wright of Meeker, OK, Captain Tyler Fortenberry of Colorado Springs, Keegan Fortenberry of Edmond, OK, Samantha Dooley of Ponca City, OK and Desiree Dooley of Odessa, TX. They are also blessed with 9 great-grandchildren. They are longtime members of the First United Methodist Church of Edmond, where Ed served as Head Usher for many years.

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 13, 2019 at Matthews Funeral Home with interment to follow at Gracelawn Cemetery Edmond, OK.