Virgil Mcbride

Virgil Glen McBride, longtime Ponca City resident, died Wednesday night, December 15, 2021 in the Stillwater Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.  He was 82.

The son of Hosea and Salia Lee (Sansom) McBride, Virgil was born Jan. 25, 1939 in Hobbs, NM.  He grew up and received his education in Hobbs.  He quit school his junior year, after his father was injured, and worked in the oil field to help support his family.

On Feb. 19, 1962 Virgil and Barbara Sue Eddlemon were united in marriage in Hobbs.  Nine days after their wedding, he received his draft papers, and on March 7, 1962 he entered the United States Army.  He was stationed at Ft. Dix, New Jersey, and they lived there for 21 months.  After receiving his Honorable Discharge on March 6, 1964, the couple returned to Hobbs, and he began employment with a service station.  Later he gained employment with Gibson’s Discount Center.  In August 1971 the company transferred him to Ponca City where they were opening a new store.  He was named Receiving Manager, and later he became Assistant Manager.  While working at Gibson’s, he also worked part time for Pioneer Wholesale Liquor.  In 1978 he left Gibson’s to work full time for Pioneer.  The following year he returned to Gibson’s and worked there for some time.  Later he began working for Wonder Bread in delivery.  He retired in 2004, and they remained in Ponca City.  His wife Barbara died July 13, 2012.

Virgil was of the Baptist faith.  He was a member of the Teamsters Union, and he was Shop Steward.  An avid fisherman, he had fished in several lakes in Oklahoma and Texas, but his choice area to fish was in Lake Ponca.  His favorite fish to go after was bass.  Virgil collected several CB radios and had a great interest in them.  He ran with the handles “Hawg Hunter” and “Big Mac”.   He was an ardent OU fan and had a fierce devotion to the football team.  Virgil always enjoyed having coffee with his breakfast buddies, Larry Taylor, Clarence “Wahoo” Marler and Don Fields.

Virgil was very much a people person and made a great many friends on their trips to watch OU football, as well as trips he and his wife made to Memphis, Tenn.  He was also extremely family oriented.  He grew up with his own  two brothers and sister as well as so many close cousins, and after he married, he embraced his wife’s large family as his own.  When the children, and then grandchildren came, each one of them was as important to him as the next.  He was everyone’s Papa and was cherished.

Virgil is survived by his children, Glenn and Natalie McBride of Stillwater, and Lori and James Kelly of Ponca City; his grandchildren, Brandon and Cassie McBride-Evans, and Jeremy and Callie McBride, all of Ponca City, Brittni Kelly of Oklahoma City, Brett Kelly of Ponca City, Cameron McBride of Stillwater, Kandis Kelly and Tamara Kelly, both of Checotah Okla. and Latisha Kelly of Blackwell; and great-grandchildren, Branson, Kinlee, Alexander, Isabella, Kameron, Trinity, Evan, Tristen and Michael.  He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Hugh James and Barbara McBride of Norman; brother-in-law Paul and Margaret Eddlemon of Kingsbury, Tex and sister- in -law, Reba Jane Eddlemon of Talihina, Okla.; and by Cindy, his four legged companion.

In addition to his wife, Virgil was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Bob McBride; his sister, Lesley June Andrus; and a granddaughter, Mollie Kelly.  He was also preceded by many members of his extended family–his wife’s family.

The body will lie in state at Grace Memorial Chapel Sunday, Dec. 19 from 2-5 p.m. with the family present to visit with friends.  Family will be gathered at 1401 Donahoe Dr. in Ponca City during the day.   Graveside services will be held Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 10:30 a.m. in the Rosedale Cemetery with the Rev. Russell Newville and the Rev. Mike Sweetman, a cousin,  officiating. Grace Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

The family request that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in Virgil McBride’s name to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation for cancer research and may be mailed to OMRF, 825 NE 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104-9930.