1930
Ruth
2016
Ruth J. Lake
August 13, 1930 — December 3, 2016
Knox City
Ruth Lake, 86, succumbed to complications from stroke on December 3, 2016, in Knox City. She went in peace, with her loved and devoted husband Bob and other family members by her side.
She was born to A.P. and Ruth Denton August 13, 1930, and was raised in the Union Grove community west of Knox City where she had beautiful memories of growing up with her brothers and sisters and 5 cousins.
After finishing high school in 1947, she graduated from Hardin Simmons University with a BA in elementary education. She retired from public schools after having taught grades 1-3 for 30 years. During that time she met and married Jesse Pridgen. They had 4 sons together and settled in Parkdale, Oregon. The marriage dissolved when the youngest was 2 years old.
Ruth would say that her greatest life accomplishment was raising her four sons. She liked to take them hiking and camping. She loved the outdoors, and never grew tired of the gorgeous scenery or the awesome view of Mt Hood that overlooked Parkdale. She instilled honesty, a love of learning, a driving work ethic, love of the outdoors and all living things, and trust in God.
When she could find a moment to herself, she enjoyed playing the piano, quilting, crocheting, and reading. She always had a deep devotion to her family in Texas. Every other year she drove the 4 boys to Knox City, and on that trip they'd all stay in direct touch with their roots.
When her boys were grown and after she'd retired from teaching, she moved to Portland, Oregon. There she met and married Bob Lake, and together they moved to her destiny, Knox City, a place for which she'd always longed. Her Golden Years were spent playing card games and dominoes with her loved ones in her home town. The highlight of every year was the annual Denton family reunion where her favorite thing was to talk about old times.
She is survived by: Beloved husband Robert (Bob) Lake; Brothers: A.P. Denton, Jr. and Kay of Knox City, Burt Denton and Nancy of Houston, David Denton and Gay of Haslet; Sisters: Lois Bruton of Georgetown,
Lou Vail and Jack of Knox City; Sons Mike Pridgen and Lisa of Portland, OR, Stan Pridgen of Hood River, OR, Kevin Pridgen and Lynn of Eugene,
OR, Kelly Pridgen and Melissa of Weston, OR, five stepchildren; 10 nephews, 3 nieces; 12 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren.
Rosary will be at Smith Family Funeral Home in Knox City at 6:00 to 7:00 pm Tuesday, December 7. Funeral will be held by family at 11:00 am Wednesday, December 8, at First Baptist Church in Knox City.
Interment will be at the beautiful Skyline Memorial Gardens in Portland, Oregon, after a service with her family there.
She was born to A.P. and Ruth Denton August 13, 1930, and was raised in the Union Grove community west of Knox City where she had beautiful memories of growing up with her brothers and sisters and 5 cousins.
After finishing high school in 1947, she graduated from Hardin Simmons University with a BA in elementary education. She retired from public schools after having taught grades 1-3 for 30 years. During that time she met and married Jesse Pridgen. They had 4 sons together and settled in Parkdale, Oregon. The marriage dissolved when the youngest was 2 years old.
Ruth would say that her greatest life accomplishment was raising her four sons. She liked to take them hiking and camping. She loved the outdoors, and never grew tired of the gorgeous scenery or the awesome view of Mt Hood that overlooked Parkdale. She instilled honesty, a love of learning, a driving work ethic, love of the outdoors and all living things, and trust in God.
When she could find a moment to herself, she enjoyed playing the piano, quilting, crocheting, and reading. She always had a deep devotion to her family in Texas. Every other year she drove the 4 boys to Knox City, and on that trip they'd all stay in direct touch with their roots.
When her boys were grown and after she'd retired from teaching, she moved to Portland, Oregon. There she met and married Bob Lake, and together they moved to her destiny, Knox City, a place for which she'd always longed. Her Golden Years were spent playing card games and dominoes with her loved ones in her home town. The highlight of every year was the annual Denton family reunion where her favorite thing was to talk about old times.
She is survived by: Beloved husband Robert (Bob) Lake; Brothers: A.P. Denton, Jr. and Kay of Knox City, Burt Denton and Nancy of Houston, David Denton and Gay of Haslet; Sisters: Lois Bruton of Georgetown,
Lou Vail and Jack of Knox City; Sons Mike Pridgen and Lisa of Portland, OR, Stan Pridgen of Hood River, OR, Kevin Pridgen and Lynn of Eugene,
OR, Kelly Pridgen and Melissa of Weston, OR, five stepchildren; 10 nephews, 3 nieces; 12 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren.
Rosary will be at Smith Family Funeral Home in Knox City at 6:00 to 7:00 pm Tuesday, December 7. Funeral will be held by family at 11:00 am Wednesday, December 8, at First Baptist Church in Knox City.
Interment will be at the beautiful Skyline Memorial Gardens in Portland, Oregon, after a service with her family there.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ruth J. Lake, please visit our flower store.
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