Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
NameDr. Reece Richard BOONE Jr. 
470, Dr Reece Richard Boone Jr.,404, Reece Richard Boone Jr-Male-7 April 1922 – 26 December 2015- •-GXJH-NS7
470, Dr Reece Richard Boone Jr.,404, Reece Richard Boone Jr-Male-7 April 1922 – 26 December 2015- •-GXJH-NS7BirthApr 7, 1922, Troutdale, Grayson County, Virginia470, Dr Reece Richard Boone Jr.
DeathDec 26, 2015, Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma470, Dr Reece Richard Boone Jr.
BurialCremated470, Dr Reece Richard Boone Jr.
FlagsKorean War, US Army-Air Force, World War II
FatherReece Richard BOONE Sr. (1896-1975)
MotherMarie Pearl GALLIMORE (1897-1976)
Spouses
Marriage1942470, Dr Reece Richard Boone Jr.-Obituary
Obituary Online notes for Dr. Reece Richard BOONE Jr.
Dr. Reece Richard Boone, Jr.
Reece Richard Boone, Jr., MD died December 26, 2015 in Tulsa, OK at the age of 93. He was born in Troutdale, VA on April 7, 1922 and grew up in the coal country of West Virginia where his father was a blacksmith in the coal mines. Boone was an accomplished student and trumpet player who attended West Virginia University on a music scholarship but turned his talents to the field of medicine. He graduated from WVU and the Medical College of Virginia, and in 1942 married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Williams who had just received her Registered Nursing degree. Together, the two began an adventure of family, medical work and community service which spanned more than 73 years.
During WWII, Boone was commissioned as an officer in the Army Air Force and assigned as a physician to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Later he began a six year surgical residency in Montgomery, WV then was recalled to the Air Force as chief surgeon at Otis Air Force Base, MA during the Korean War. The Boone family grew to include five sons, and in 1956 moved to Mooreland, OK. Dr. Boone began an active medical practice with the aid of his wife Ruth who became a Certified Nurse Anesthetist and assisted him in surgery. Boone's only "Okie," daughter Jane, was born in Mooreland where the family lived for more than 20 years. In 1977 he moved his practice to Watonga, OK until retirement in 1987.
In retirement, the Boones toured the United States in an AirStream trailer, spent winters in Orlando, FL and in 2001 moved to Saint Simeon's Senior Community in Tulsa. Their legacy of working together included not only the operating room, but also as accomplished private pilots who flew their own plane, and as tireless community volunteers. The Boones raised money for church projects, helped create the Mooreland Library, the Mooreland Airport, and they also led many other altruistic efforts. The Boones were ardent football fans, with all five sons playing college football in Oklahoma. They often flew their own plane to football games. Boone spent many years as a team physician for the high school and college teams his sons played for. Boone never lost his artistic flair, often picking up the trumpet, oil painting and wood carving. He was an avid stamp collector, enjoyed genealogy research and studying the American Civil War. He was also a dedicated writer who penned his own memoir.
Boone was a member of the American Medical Association, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and published numerous articles in medical journals. He was an active member of The Boston Avenue United Methodist Church in Tulsa. His legacy of love with his wife Ruth includes 6 children, 14 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
Boone was preceded in death by his son, Fred; son, Bob; and wife Judith. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Ruth; son, Richard and wife, Connie, of Tulsa; son, Tom and wife, Jeannie, of Broken Arrow; son, John and wife, Mimi, of Edmond; daughter-in-law, D'Anna, of Moore; and daughter, Jane and husband, Scott Pelley, of Darien, CT.
Funeral arrangements are by Ninde Funeral Home in Tulsa. A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, January 9, at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Saint Simeon's Senior Community in Tulsa. Ninde Funeral Directors, Brookside Chapel 918-742-5556. www.ninde.com
Tulsa World January 3, 2016
News
Saint Simeon's residents discover that dreams can come true
SARA PLUMMER World Staff Writer Jan 14, 2004 0
Ruth and Reece Boone appear to be a match made in heaven.
They worked together for 30 years, he as a surgeon and she as his anesthetist. They also flew together for about 20 years, taking turns as pilot and co-pilot, and they recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary.
"We make a pretty good team," said Reece Boone.
The two Saint Simeon's residents recently went on another journey together. They flew over Tulsa to see the city that became their home approximately two years ago.
"It's a beautiful city," said Reece Boone, "I even got to fly a little."
The trip was made possible by the Tree of Dreams, a project sponsored by the Saint Simeon's Auxiliary at the assisted-living facility, 3701 N. Cincinnati Ave.
The project started last summer as a way for the auxiliary to have more interaction with the residents, said Paula Owens, chairwoman for the Tree of Dreams committee.
"We wanted to have a program where people would get their desires or wishes or dreams," she said.
Boxes are at nurses' stations in the complex. Residents or staff can fill out a request form. The requests are screened and sent to the auxiliary committee.
Ruth and Gene Anderson, Tree of Dreams committee members, said some of the dreams take a little bit of improvisation and creativity to make them come true.
Two residents wanted to be younger, so the committee made certificates changing their ages, and they threw them an "unbirthday" party.
"We've discovered what they love the most is the visit," Ruth Anderson said.
For years, the Andersons called on residents who didn't have many visitors. They later moved into one of the cottages on the Saint Simeon's property.
"It's like we have a great big family," Gene Anderson said. "We have so many friends now I can't remember all their names. It's a good problem to have."
Ruth Anderson said the couple have made some wonderful friends.
"It's a fun thing," she said. "We get a lot more out of it than we give."
The Boones also are active with the auxiliary, and they couldn't resist the chance to have their wish granted.
"I said, 'What would I really like to do?' and it was, once again, fly in a small aircraft, especially over Tulsa," said Ruth Boone.
The plane that took them above Tulsa was the same model of the last airplane they owned before retiring from flying.
"We flew over Saint Simeon's about three times, and people came out and waved," Reece Boone said.
Most of the requests to the Tree of Dreams aren't to fly but are simpler and just as meaningful, Owens said.
"They've been as basic as someone wanting to go out to lunch ... some of the dreams are just to go out and shop," she said. "This is icing on the cake."
The Andersons said they couldn't think of anything they would put in the box.
"We're surrounded by love," said Ruth Anderson. "Our dreams are already true."
Tulsa World January 14, 2004 470, Dr Reece Richard Boone Jr.
Reece Richard Boone, Jr., MD died December 26, 2015 in Tulsa, OK at the age of 93. He was born in Troutdale, VA on April 7, 1922 and grew up in the coal country of West Virginia where his father was a blacksmith in the coal mines. Boone was an accomplished student and trumpet player who attended West Virginia University on a music scholarship but turned his talents to the field of medicine. He graduated from WVU and the Medical College of Virginia, and in 1942 married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Williams who had just received her Registered Nursing degree. Together, the two began an adventure of family, medical work and community service which spanned more than 73 years.
During WWII, Boone was commissioned as an officer in the Army Air Force and assigned as a physician to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Later he began a six year surgical residency in Montgomery, WV then was recalled to the Air Force as chief surgeon at Otis Air Force Base, MA during the Korean War. The Boone family grew to include five sons, and in 1956 moved to Mooreland, OK. Dr. Boone began an active medical practice with the aid of his wife Ruth who became a Certified Nurse Anesthetist and assisted him in surgery. Boone's only "Okie," daughter Jane, was born in Mooreland where the family lived for more than 20 years. In 1977 he moved his practice to Watonga, OK until retirement in 1987.
In retirement, the Boones toured the United States in an AirStream trailer, spent winters in Orlando, FL and in 2001 moved to Saint Simeon's Senior Community in Tulsa. Their legacy of working together included not only the operating room, but also as accomplished private pilots who flew their own plane, and as tireless community volunteers. The Boones raised money for church projects, helped create the Mooreland Library, the Mooreland Airport, and they also led many other altruistic efforts. The Boones were ardent football fans, with all five sons playing college football in Oklahoma. They often flew their own plane to football games. Boone spent many years as a team physician for the high school and college teams his sons played for. Boone never lost his artistic flair, often picking up the trumpet, oil painting and wood carving. He was an avid stamp collector, enjoyed genealogy research and studying the American Civil War. He was also a dedicated writer who penned his own memoir.
Boone was a member of the American Medical Association, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and published numerous articles in medical journals. He was an active member of The Boston Avenue United Methodist Church in Tulsa. His legacy of love with his wife Ruth includes 6 children, 14 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
Boone was preceded in death by his son, Fred; son, Bob; and wife Judith. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Ruth; son, Richard and wife, Connie, of Tulsa; son, Tom and wife, Jeannie, of Broken Arrow; son, John and wife, Mimi, of Edmond; daughter-in-law, D'Anna, of Moore; and daughter, Jane and husband, Scott Pelley, of Darien, CT.
Funeral arrangements are by Ninde Funeral Home in Tulsa. A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, January 9, at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Saint Simeon's Senior Community in Tulsa. Ninde Funeral Directors, Brookside Chapel 918-742-5556. www.ninde.com
Tulsa World January 3, 2016
News
Saint Simeon's residents discover that dreams can come true
SARA PLUMMER World Staff Writer Jan 14, 2004 0
Ruth and Reece Boone appear to be a match made in heaven.
They worked together for 30 years, he as a surgeon and she as his anesthetist. They also flew together for about 20 years, taking turns as pilot and co-pilot, and they recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary.
"We make a pretty good team," said Reece Boone.
The two Saint Simeon's residents recently went on another journey together. They flew over Tulsa to see the city that became their home approximately two years ago.
"It's a beautiful city," said Reece Boone, "I even got to fly a little."
The trip was made possible by the Tree of Dreams, a project sponsored by the Saint Simeon's Auxiliary at the assisted-living facility, 3701 N. Cincinnati Ave.
The project started last summer as a way for the auxiliary to have more interaction with the residents, said Paula Owens, chairwoman for the Tree of Dreams committee.
"We wanted to have a program where people would get their desires or wishes or dreams," she said.
Boxes are at nurses' stations in the complex. Residents or staff can fill out a request form. The requests are screened and sent to the auxiliary committee.
Ruth and Gene Anderson, Tree of Dreams committee members, said some of the dreams take a little bit of improvisation and creativity to make them come true.
Two residents wanted to be younger, so the committee made certificates changing their ages, and they threw them an "unbirthday" party.
"We've discovered what they love the most is the visit," Ruth Anderson said.
For years, the Andersons called on residents who didn't have many visitors. They later moved into one of the cottages on the Saint Simeon's property.
"It's like we have a great big family," Gene Anderson said. "We have so many friends now I can't remember all their names. It's a good problem to have."
Ruth Anderson said the couple have made some wonderful friends.
"It's a fun thing," she said. "We get a lot more out of it than we give."
The Boones also are active with the auxiliary, and they couldn't resist the chance to have their wish granted.
"I said, 'What would I really like to do?' and it was, once again, fly in a small aircraft, especially over Tulsa," said Ruth Boone.
The plane that took them above Tulsa was the same model of the last airplane they owned before retiring from flying.
"We flew over Saint Simeon's about three times, and people came out and waved," Reece Boone said.
Most of the requests to the Tree of Dreams aren't to fly but are simpler and just as meaningful, Owens said.
"They've been as basic as someone wanting to go out to lunch ... some of the dreams are just to go out and shop," she said. "This is icing on the cake."
The Andersons said they couldn't think of anything they would put in the box.
"We're surrounded by love," said Ruth Anderson. "Our dreams are already true."
Tulsa World January 14, 2004 470, Dr Reece Richard Boone Jr.