Matt Ringgold

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Cecil M. Ringgold, passed away on September 21, 2020 at 70 years young. Although he has assured every grandchild that he grew up with the dinosaurs, he was actually born on June 10, 1950 to Marvin and Betty Ringgold in St Maries, Idaho.
Matt grew up in southern Arizona as the oldest of five children. He graduated from San Manuel High School and went on to play football for the University of Arizona Wildcats. While he was attending the University, he was drafted to serve in the US Army and in the Vietnam War. After bravely serving his country, he received an honorable discharge and began a career as an underground hard rock and shaft miner.
Matt worked for several mining operations in Arizona, New Mexico, and Wyoming. He subsequently followed in his father’s footsteps and became a journeyman electrician in the mining, industrial, and commercial industries for several years. Those footsteps eventually grew fatigued of the mining travel, and he dreamt of planting a permanent residence. His career with the U.S. Postal Service began when he accepted a position as a postal clerk in Tucson AZ. While working for the Postal Service, he met and wed the love of his life, Connie Roberson, on Valentine’s Day over 40 years ago. Thanks to Hallmark, he never missed an Anniversary.
After transferring to Oklahoma, he was promoted as U.S. Postal Service AMF Manager at the Tulsa International Airport. In 1993, he accepted the position of Postmaster in Cleveland, OK, to be closer to home, and he enthusiastically served the community he loved and called his home. Matt was the Cleveland Postmaster for 13 years. He retired in 2005, after accruing 35 total years with the US Postal Service.
Matt loved the outdoors. He enjoyed deer hunting with friends, fishing, and camping with family. He loved to fish for sand bass on the Caney River and trout at Roaring River State Park. While at home he enjoyed outdoor hobbies such as helping in the garden or maintaining his lawn…and occasionally some neighbors’ lawns. Matt was an avid sports fan of his favorite teams, including the Cleveland Tigers and the Oklahoma State Cowboys. He proudly wore his crimson and gold on Fridays and his orange and black on Saturdays. His favorite teams by far, however, were the teams lucky enough to have his grandchildren on their roster. His hoots and hollers were enough to embarrass any child, but they came with great love, pride, and encouragement even if they were heard in the next county.
Matt was a talented carpenter and enjoyed the challenge of many home projects. He taught his children the skill and satisfaction of working with their hands and the value of strong work-ethic. He spent countless hours remodeling their family home, including but not limited to adding on entire rooms, deconstructing walls, building furniture, and cabinetry. We clearly remember some “demo-days” in our home. In short, Matt and Chip Gaines could have been fast friends. Every Thanksgiving he began the annual project of stringing up the Christmas lights. He very much enjoyed this project, and it typically wasn’t complete until the display was worthy enough to rival Chevy Chase’s residence in “Christmas Vacation” or usher in a small aircraft. In short, if you couldn’t see it from the highway or the skyway, there were not enough lights on it.
Civic involvement and volunteer work were very important in his life. He loved GOD, his country, and his family and felt the need to give back. He was or had been in service of many organizations including: Gideons Intl, the Chamber of Commerce, The Hospital Trust Authority and Hospital Holdings Inc. He believed in leadership and served on several city boards, including the Cleveland School Board for 25 years. He was a Selective Service System Commissioner, and he was a member of the First Christian Church. Matt believed a good name was an important legacy to leave, and he tried to leave the world a mite better than he found it.
Matt is survived by his wife Connie of the home, daughter Greta Ringgold of Cleveland, OK; Son Theodore Ringgold and wife Tara of Lafayette, CO; daughter Jennifer Ringgold Pregler and husband, Chris of Katy, TX.; ten grandchildren Joanna Miears and husband Mat, Justin Wolf, Kaylee Harrold, Alexis Harrold, Jessica Wolf, Cole Pregler, Austin Ringgold, Carston Pregler, Blake Pregler, and Ashlyn Ringgold, and two great grandchildren Ashton and Bailey Miears.
Matt was preceded in death by his daughter Cynthia Ringgold Harrold, his brother David Ringgold and his parents Marvin and Betty Ringgold.

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