Dale Brewer

Dale W. Brewer, age 94, affectionately known as “Ripper” would like for you to know that his work here on earth is complete. He received a call Friday evening, a sort of an offer you cannot refuse, for an appointment from which he will not be returning. This assignment comes with a huge sign-on bonus, a reunion with family and friends he has not seen in a long time. Dale will be greeted by his Heavenly Father; his first love and the mother of his children, Frankie; his parents, Bud & Stella; his sisters & their husbands: Mary “Toots” (Andy) Campbell, Maxine (Harry) Thurber, Marie (Roy) Bettes, Lou (Gerald) Heppel; step-sister and husband, Yvonnie (Ed) Myers; brothers-in-law; George Webb, George Baugh and wife Rozella, Robert “Bob” and wife Sunni Baugh, Bill Carpenter and wife Jackie Rutherford, Elbert Rutherford, Jimmy Baugh; nieces, Annette Payne, Shawn Trepton, and Cindy May; nephews, Billy Webb and Geo John Baugh IV; and great-great niece, Maddie.

Dale, the only son and fourth child of six children was born to parents Bud and Stella Loretta (Dillett) Brewer, in March 1928 at the family home close to “Coal Creek” in Pawnee County, Oklahoma. Growing up Dale had multiple chores helping his father with feeding the cattle, planting crops, and raising chickens while attending school at Victor School house three miles east of Masham for eight years. When Dale was a teenager, during a Revival held in the school, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. In the fall of 1942, he entered high school at Ralston, graduating in 1946.

Dale ventured off with a friend to Colorado where he found work on a hay farm. Upon returning to Okla., he decided to catch a ride back by airplane to Colo. at the age of twenty-one. He returned home joined the Army and was honorably discharge in 1951. Dale married Frankie Neoma Baugh on August 9, 1951 in Pawhuska. The couple’s first home was across the road from the Victor School house which was still open at that time. Two sons, Ron and Don, were born during this time (Dale worked for Pawnee County 1950-1952) before the family moved into Ralston, Okla. in 1956. In 1957, the family moved to sixth street in Fairfax which would be Dale’s last home. He worked at the Kiwanee oilfields of Shidler. His career at Osage County began in June 1961 where he spent 29 years working at various aspects of the job. He started with driving dump trucks and road work. This being about the time when he got his ‘most known’ nickname, “Ripper” from Bob Parker. The story goes, Dale was working a second job at night hauling cement bags west of Fairfax. He would sling them down and as they slide across the cutter to rip open, he gained his nickname “Ripper.”

Later, in the 1970’s Dale’s position was to drive area folks living within Osage County to various doctor appointments. At this time, his handle on the CB became “Tarzan” and “Doc” as well. Funds exhausted, Dale went back to driving trucks, back-hole, and grader, whatever needed done at the county barn until 1990 when Dale retired. He always said he “retired” after 29 years to give the young people of Fairfax a chance at a job but those who knew him, knew it was to better care for Frankie in their home until she passed March 7, 1996.

Prior to his death, his was one of the eldest living county employee who worked at the Fairfax shop and one of the eldest living members of First Osage Baptist Church. He was active in his younger years at the church, joining in Feb. 1957, laboring/working when the Fellowship Hall was built, being a chaperon for activities with the children when his boys were growing up and later working with one of his best friends, Bill McHenry, on the foundation of the elevator. Recently, he was one of the oldest Ralston Tiger Alumni in attendance at the banquet.

He had a collection of Oklahoma license plates from 1928 to present. He often wore a cap to match his shirt, as he enjoyed collecting baseball caps from different businesses. His favorite being one from Phillips oil where son Don worked. He had a t-shirt with a Hawaiian dancer and would wiggle his belly until she was dancing.

In 1968, Dale took his family to the World’s Fair in Texas and on over the border to old Mexico. 1969 vacation began in Idaho, visiting family members in California, on to Arizona, New Mexico and finishing in Colorado where he worked as a young man. This vacation lasted 3 weeks, something new for a county hand. Weekends spent visiting Baugh’s & Brewers and yearly camping trips to Sulphur or rural Fairfax were always a blast!

Dale married Shirley Ann (Farnham) Wooten July 7, 1997 in Nevada. The couple pretended to be on a trip to Idaho where his sister lived. With sister’s family help, the couple came home married.

Dale spent countless hours assisting with bus driving (food delivery and Branson trips), taking out the trash, making carpenter repairs, changing oil in the bus, helping with Bingo fundraisers or whatever needed at the Fairfax Senior Citizens. He was delighted when the new Nutrition Center opened in 2017 just two blocks from home. He was an active member of the Fairfax Chamber. In his younger years, he served Fairfax as a volunteer Fireman for 20 years.

His enjoyments included spending time admiring God’s creations, feeding the birds and squirrels, and earlier in life playing pitch, horseshoes, or a challenging game of dominoes where he was always the domino King! The public frequently commented on his quick sense of wit and orneriness right up until the very end. His favorite last line was “old enough to kiss but too young to tangle.” If you knew Dale, then you knew how Masham got its name.

He helped those in need and loved growing a garden. He often would share his vegetables with those who collected cans for him or were just special people. Best known around town as “the man on the bicycle with the cans” he saved for years to help pay Frankie’s medical expenses and afterwards it was just a good habit with exercise!

Left behind to cherish his memory, wife Shirley; three children, Ron (Judie) Brewer, Robert “Don” (Carole) Brewer and Treca Brewer; grandchildren Chance (Angie) Brewer, Matthew (Julie) Brewer, Heather (Jeb) Schroeder, Kristin Brewer (Mario Smith) and Lindsay (Kevin) Stansbury; great-grandchildren Brantley Brewer, Jordan (Mollie) Brewer, Devin Brewer, Tyler Moore, D ’Ray Moore, Taylor Brewer, Destiny Smith, Alicia Manley, Brittany Manley, and Baylea Stansbury; plus five great-great grand angels twins Ezra and Ryker, Mallox, Penelope, and Jasmine; sister Joy Webb and sisters-in-law, Revae Baugh, Marilyn Rowland, and Juanita Russell; much loved grand dog, Lilly; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Dale always had a smile on his face and a joke on his lips, he will be missed. Hallelujah forever, dad.