Rufus Cord Price's Obituary
PRICE Rufus C., 90, of Tulsa, passed away Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at St. Francis Hospital. He was born March 25, 1919 in Bergman, Arkansas to William and Sarah Price. He is survived by 2 daughters, Beverly Lundgren of Catoosa, OK, and Merrily Ketchum of Chicago, IL; and a niece, Dorothy Dodd of Walla Walla, WA. Rufus is also survived by 5 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Vera Midge Price; and by his parents, 7 sisters, and a brother. Rufus began his career in Kansas City as a heavy equipment operator in 1939, and then served with the Army construction corps in Germany in WWII. After working as a general superintendent with Kansas City Concrete and Construction Company, Rufus formed his first company, Refractory Construction Company (RCI), in 1953. He moved RCI to Tulsa in 1958 to perform refinery gunite work for Universal Oil Products (UOP). In 1966, RCI began performing mechanical turnaround work to complement its refractory capabilities, and the company became an industry leader in refinery turnarounds. After a brief retirement in 1985, Rufus and his partners formed a new turnaround company, General Mechanical Contractors, Inc. (G.M.C.I.). In 1994, Rufus also assisted in the start up of Construction & Turnaround Services (CTS), which continues to be an InServ/ Willbros Company and an industry leader of refinery turnarounds and revamps. He was a member of the Masons for over 50 years, and served as a Jester with his dear brothers at Pilgrim Rock Lodge. Rufus was deeply loved and respected by his family members, business associates, and many dear friends, and he will be sorely missed by all. Visitation time will begin Friday, July 17, 2009 at 11 a.m., and will end on Friday at 9 p.m. in the Floral Haven Funeral Home. A Funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2009, 10 a.m., at the Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel. Floral Haven, 252-2518. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Rufus’ name can be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospitals, c/o 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 (Phone: 813-281-0300).Survived By:
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