Celebrating Ron & Kay, and the search for their killer

Bison Blinds

Friday is finally here. The excruciating week filled with anxiety and grief ends with a double funeral to be held this afternoon for two longtime community members, Ron and Kay Wilkson.

We’ll remember them. We’ll gather and nod if someone talks about Kay’s years at the cafe, and we’ll wish we could hear her say just one more time, “More coffee baby?”

DEAD WOODS TRAIL OF FEAR

We’ll marvel that the couple was grandparents to 23 grandchildren!

“Ron was a truck driver and lawn care specialist who obsessed with his lawn.  They together often joked about who would leave this life first and what the other was to do in their absence.  In the end, they both got their wish and were able to go to heaven together,” reads his obituary.

Their murderer remains not caught, not scene, not known. Alive or dead? In Kay’s Mitsubishi? In Oklahoma? In Las Vegas? In an old barn or someone’s old hunting camp? We don’t know. The citizens do not know, we hope the authorities have a better idea.

So what do we know? The funeral is today at 2pm at Luther Auditorium. LPS students have the day off from classes to accommodate the community and to lessen fears about security.

Run or Walk 5K

Something else we know is we are a community of faith. Luther is a community with a “church on every corner” nearly. And the town and countryside is populated with believing families who follow Scripture and the command to love our neighbors. This faith community has an opportunity to calm fears and give hope. The scripture from Philippians 4:6 comes to mind, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

First Christian Church Pastor Johnny Melton has been through a similar ordeal when his aunt and uncle were murdered in Depew in 2003. He said the community grieved deeply and was also fearful and angry.

“We certainly understand the fear in the community, but we must not allow ourselves to be overcome by it. We should always use caution, but walk in our faith as well. Prayers are going up for our community to be healed. God will overcome all of this in His way,” he said.

Oklahoma County Sheriff Office, Luther Police Department and other authorities will provide security for the funeral.

Meanwhile, authorities led by the FBI are chasing the alleged killer, Michael Vance. A tipline operated by the US Marshalls responds to all calls at 405-246-9205.

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

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