Dewey Ballew

Services honoring the life of Dewey Gene Ballew will be 11:00 a.m, Thursday, July 26, 2018 at Hayhurst Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Tahlequah City Cemetery. Friends may visit the funeral home on Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Dewey was born on February 23, 1931 in Cookson, Oklahoma to Pat and Ruby (Gay) Ballew. Dewey passed away on Thursday, July 19, 2018 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 87. After graduating from high school from Tahlequah Central High in May 1948, Dewey enlisted in the United States Army where he proudly served in the Korean War Conflict with the 45th Infantry. After his military service, Dewey graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education from Northeastern State College in 1956. Dewey worked as a teacher/coach of girls basketball in Severy, Kansas until he earned a doctorate degree in Dentistry from University of Missouri Kansas City in 1963. Dewey opened his own dental practice in Broken Arrow in 1963 which he operated for 51 years until his retirement. On May 16, 1953 Dewey married the love of his life, Ruth Maxine Hosman in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Their union was blessed with four children. Dewey was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He adored his family and loved spending time with them. Dewey was active in several clubs and organizations in Broken Arrow which included the BA Jaycees, BA Lions Club and Broken Arrow Dentist who would complete Missions of Guatemala. In his free time, Dewey loved hunting, fishing, boating and flying. He was a pilot and a member of the Flying Dentist club. Dewey also enjoyed golf and traveling overseas. Memorials may be made to Folds of Honor, https://www.foldsofhonor.org/donate/ Dewey is survived by, Children, Brent Ballew and wife Lin, Tahlequah, OK Brenda Griffin and husband Greg, Broken Arrow, OK Linda Newkirk and husband Shawn, Broken Arrow, OK Grandchildren, Tommy, Heather (Brian), Kendra, Brian (Kim), Eric (Amanda), Keeley, Sasha, Hunter Great Grandchildren, Keith, Maisie, Dylan, Shawn 2 Great Great Grandchildren, Lexy, Abby Dewey was preceded in death by his parents, wife Maxine, son Kenneth and great granddaughter Danielle.

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Dewey Ballew

February 23, 1931 - July 19, 2018