Keith Bretz's Obituary
Keith Bretz was born in Valley Falls, KS, to Andrew B and Hazel (Hogan) Bretz on May 30, 1926, the eldest of four boys. He met his lifelong sweetheart, Erma Fitzpatrick, in Junction City, KS. They married in 1946, celebrating 54 years of marriage before her death in 2000. They are survived by their loving family: daughter Linda Bretz Phillips and husband James, son Andy Bretz and wife Missy, granddaughters Laura Haggerty, Meghan Bretz and Katie Bretz Butterfield and husband Chris, two great-grandchildren, Carson and Camden Butterfield, and brother Herb Bretz and wife Karen. Keith enlisted in the Army in 1944, one month after his 18th birthday. In 1946, he began study at Kansas State University, and received his Bachelor’s degree in 1947, graduating in just two years – a Freshman in 1946 and a Senior in 1947. He began his career in radio at KMYR in Denver, CO, before moving to KCSJ in Pueblo, CO. After a stint at KIMV in Hutchinson, KS, he and Erma moved to Tulsa. In 1949, his is the first voice heard when KRMG-AM came on the air for its inaugural broadcast. He announced, wrote copy, covered sports, and was an on-air DJ before accepting a position as program director prior to moving into sales. In 1963, he was offered a sales position at KTUL-TV, and in 1970 he was promoted to head of Local Sales for KTUL-TV. During his career in broadcasting, he was a member of the Tulsa Press Club, Tulsa Ad Club, Coat of Arms Club, Chamber of Commerce, served a term as Chairman of the Community Relations Commission, and acted in Tulsa Little Theatre. In 1982, he was able to indulge his lifelong love of horses when he and two colleagues founded Winner Communications to broadcast quarter horse races. He owned and raced several horses of his own over the years and was a lifetime member of the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association. Following his retirement from broadcasting, he returned to college and his enduring love of learning, completing his teaching certification in English and Speech. He was a long term and popular substitute teacher for Sapulpa Public Schools before retiring once again. Keith was the popcorn guy at Atwood’s in Sapulpa until retiring for a third and final time in 2011. Dad was smart, funny, loyal, and charming with infinite love for his family and his life. He will beloved and missed forever. Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 27th, 2016-3:00 p.m., at the Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel.
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