Dr. Charles M. Bretz

Dr. Charles M. Bretz, former pastor of the First Christian Church in Durant, OK, passed away Aug 21, 2011 at the Sterling House in Durant. Dr. Bretz was born in Shields, Kansas Jan. 2, 1917 to Leroy and Hazel Edmundson Bretz. He married Juanita Clark of Hays, KS on Jan. 10, 1943 in Dighton, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his wife Juanita, son Michael, his parents and a brother Marvis. He is survived by his daughter; Dessie Hull and her husband Dan on Durant, granddaughters; Toni D. Hull of Durant and Holly D. Hull of Wisconsin and Oklahoma, great grandsons; Daniel Ragle and wife Randi of Durant, Anthony Ragle a student at the University of Oklahoma and Robert Ragle a senior at Durant H.S. and two step great grandchildren Cory and Katrina Carl. He is also survived by brother; Gerald Bretz of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, sister-in-law; Martha Bretz of Dighton, Kansas, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. He completed High School at Dodge City, Kansas and held the highest degree of offered by Phillips University and the Seminary there. An honorary doctorate was conferred upon him in 1963 by the Kansas City College of Osteopathy and Surgery in recognition of work in the Model Cities Program and riot control during that time. In community life, Dr. Bretz was president of two Rotary Clubs(Durant, 1959-60) and the Lion’s Clubin the same time period. Christian Churches served include Bucklin and Dighton in Kansas. Pond Creed and Durant in Oklahoma, Independence Boulevard in Kansas City, MO, and Lake Charles in Louisiana. Interim periods of service were in Lawton, Leesville, New Orleans, Houston, Palestine and West Point, Mississippi. He will be fondly and lovingly remembered by many of us. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM, Friday, August 26, 2011 at the First Christian Church with Rev. J.C. Mitchell officiating. Family hour will be held 6-8 PM Thursday, August 25, 2011. Burial will follow the church service at Gethsemane Cemetery in Caddo, OK with Jon Livingston, Ronny Haynie, Jack Skaggs, Gordon Wright, John Redman, Ken Elder serving as pallbearers. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Dr. Charles and Juanita Bretz Scholarship fund at the First Christian Church. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.brownsfuneralservice.com. Services are under the direction of Brown’s Funeral Service Durant. PDF Printable Version

Dr. Charles M. Bretz

January 2, 1917 - August 21, 2011