Bobby Ray Steinhouse's Obituary
Bobby Ray Steinhouse (Stenhouse), 80, peacefully passed away surrounded by his loving family on April 23, 2016. He lived his life with dignity and loyalty to his loved ones. His down-to-earth charm and humor will be sincerely missed. Bob was born to Fred and Mary Ellen Stenhouse on February 29th, 1936. He was the fourth of nine children and raised in Midland, Arkansas; the family home was nestled in Sugarloaf Mountain. He joined the Air Force in January of 1956 and was able to travel the world. Over the next 11 years, he proudly served our country in the Air Force and the Air National Guard. In the spring of 1955, Bob was convinced by a friend to join a surprise double date in Shady Point, a nearby town in Oklahoma. His date that fateful afternoon was the love of his life, Lorene. They were married Christmas Eve, 1957. After being discharged from the Air Force, they eventually settled in Tulsa, OK. He was blessed with six children and was a loving provider and protector. His love, guidance and support created a close-knit family who adored him. But his wife Lorene, was always in the center of his heart. Bob spent over 40 years in the newspaper and publishing business. He began at the Fort Smith Times Record. In 1967 he joined the Tulsa World as a mailer. With an ever growing family at home, Bob chose to take on a second part time job at Pennwell Publishing Company for decades. Those part time hours often became full-time hours. He worked tirelessly, with little sleep and little praise, out of a deep love for his family and a desire to take care of them. He sacrificed his needs for his family’s needs. He retired from the Tulsa World after 38 years of service. Bob enjoyed nature, tending his property, and reading westerns. He especially enjoyed meeting people and shooting the breeze. His friendliness and natural care-giving traits, led him later in life to become involved with support services to the elderly, sick and disabled. He provided household care, running errands, transportation services and most importantly being a caring listener and companion. Bob is survived by his wife, Lorene, of Tulsa; his six children: Robin Lynch and her husband Frank; Kelly Steinhouse and his wife Shelby; Terry Steinhouse and his wife Patty; April Cline and her husband Les; Timothy Steinhouse and his wife Norah; and Jeff Steinhouse; as well as twelve grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and his surviving siblings: Eugene Stenhouse, Jeanie Stane, Mary Harger, Bertha Cowan, and David Stenhouse. Open visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 27 from 12 – 8 p.m., with family present from 6-7 p.m. Bob’s family and friends will gather for a memorial funeral service at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, April 28, at Floral Haven 6500 South 129th East Avenue, Broken Arrow, OK, 74012. A reception for family members will be held at the Floral Haven Family Center following the services.
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