Roy Wresche was born on Tibbens Oil Lease east of Sapulpa on what is now Highway 117. He lived in Sapulpa his entire life.

On March 3,1954, in Chandler, Okla., he married Irene Hopkins and they celebrated their 55th anniversary this past March.

Roy worked for the Sapulpa Fire Department for 20 years, retired in December 1976. He also owned and operated Roy’s Trim Shop. One of his favorite projects was restoring the 1939 fire truck. For many years he drove the truck in various parades in Sapulpa and many of the surrounding areas.

When he could no longer drive, his sons took over the job. The fire truck is now owned by the Sapulpa Historical Society and is maintained and housed at that facility. Another restoration he was particularly proud of was his 1912 Buick Touring Car, nicknamed "Wresche’s Grey Ghost." He spent many hours on both of these restorations, and made sure each was up to his very high standards. He could talk for hours about old cars and rare memorabilia. He has amassed an enviable collection of antique gas station memorabilia over the years and was very proud of his collected treasures.

He was a long-time member of Sapulpa First Church of the Nazarene and he attended faithfully as long as he was physically able.

Roy is survived by his wife Irene of the home, three sons, Ron Wresche of Sapulpa, Kelly Wresche and his wife Lynn, of Sapulpa, and Gary Wresche of Kellyville; four grandchildren, Christopher Wresche of Sapulpa, Adrian McGowan and her husband Trevor of Sapulpa, and Allison Wresche and Grant Wresche of Kellyville. Also, Roy leaves behind a sister, Ophelia Lane, and niece, Diana Robertson of Jacksonville, Fla.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents, R.B. and Cordelia Wresche.

Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009 at the Sapulpa First Church of the Nazarene. Officiating will be the Reverends Steve Davis and Don Cowan. The pall bearers are Scott Poe, Dan Whitehouse, Chief Eaton, Eddie Duty, Steve Byard, Mark Courtney, and Steve Chambers. Honorary bearers will be Floyd McCann, Al Bradley, Ray Cooper, Lawrence Downs, Randy Jordan, and Vern Street.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Smith Funeral Home, Sapulpa, Okla.

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