Ronny and Carole Pyle

It is with great reverence and sorrow that we announce the passing of Ronny and Carole Pyle, married for a remarkable 54 years. 

Ronny Dee Pyle, 76, of Norman, Oklahoma, passed away November 28, 2020, following complications from a peripheral aneurysm. He was born February 24, 1944, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and was predeceased by his loving parents, Omer Lee Pyle and Stella Mae (Purvis) Pyle. (Funeral services were delayed at that time due to mandatory COVID restrictions.)

Carole Anne Cody Pyle, 76, passed away August 16, 2021, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born December 24, 1944, in Caracas, Venezuela, a Christmas Eve miracle to her loving parents, C.C. “Bill” Cody and Marian Elizabeth (Coffman) Cody, who preceded her in death. 

As fate would have it, Ronny’s parents moved from their farm in Edmond to Oklahoma City to raise a family, and Carole’s parents left South America and returned to Oklahoma City to give their children the opportunities of the American dream. There, Ronny and Carole met and fell in love while attending Northeast High School, where they were both recognized as remarkable students and athletes. Ronny was named “All Around Boy,” “Most Likely to Succeed,” was elected Senior Class President, and lettered in three sports: baseball, basketball, and football as the All-Conference Football Quarterback. Carole was an accomplished ballet dancer, cheerleader, and excelled in scientific studies. She was elected Vice-President of the Courtesy Club and named the “Peppiest Girl” in her class. Together, they were crowned the King and Queen of Northeast High School’s Class of 1962.

After graduating high school, they attended the University of Oklahoma. Ronny obtained a Bachelor of Arts in History, was a member of the ROTC, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force upon graduation. Carole achieved a Bachelor of Science in Zoology, which included a sabbatical at the University of Hawaii to study marine biology. Ronny joined Beta Theta Pi and Carole joined Chi Omega. They were devoted members of their respective houses, and they cherished the friendships they made there throughout their entire lives. Their children know these dear friends well and are still in contact with them to this day. 

The summer after their college graduation, Ronny and Carole were married on August 21, 1966, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral in Oklahoma City, and then returned to the University of Oklahoma to further their education. Ronny went on to earn a Juris Doctorate degree, while Carole earned a Master of Science in Microbiology, having completed her dissertation on studies with the then cutting-edge technology of the electron microscope – while she was nine months pregnant with their first child. 

Following their graduate studies, Ronny was stationed with the United States Air Force in Duluth, Minnesota, where he served as a Judge Advocate General and obtained the rank of Captain. During Ronny’s service with the Air Force, Carole was a devoted mother caring for their first son, Matthew, and daughter, Caron. She was very involved in the Air Force community where she dedicated her time and energy to many volunteer activities including performing dance shows and welcoming incoming families to help them feel at home on the base. When Ronny’s service in the Air Force was completed in 1974, they moved back to Norman, Oklahoma, where they made their lifelong home and welcomed their third child, Elizabeth, and fourth child, Adam. 

Ronny had an exceptional career as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma, Civil Division, that spanned decades. Throughout his legal career, he was known as a man of impeccable character who was admirably skilled in the practice of law – even receiving the “Superior Performance as an Assistant U.S. Attorney” award from former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno. He was highly respected by his colleagues, peers, and all who knew him. 

Carole was an active PTA member for all their four children’s elementary school years and was very active in community projects including the Assistance League of Norman, May Fair Arts Festival, Medieval Fair, and Meals on Wheels. Once all their children were out of elementary school, Carole went to work for the University of Oklahoma as a Research Development and Grants Proposal Specialist. She was dedicated to and esteemed for her meticulous work in the grant proposal department. 

Ronny could easily be described as a great man in all his endeavors. But, more importantly, it was in his role as husband, father, and friend that he exemplified what it is to be a truly good man. He was, without fail, absolutely selfless, the very epitome of integrity, and loved his family unconditionally. He had a magical quality in the clear, wise way he spoke on all matters and could recount wonderful stories of the past, both personal and historical, with such precision that they seemingly unfolded in real time. He had a wonderful gift for writing, whether it was a legal brief, poetry, or prose. Ronny was a true renaissance man with a lifelong love for baseball and a brilliant sense of humor. He was a hero who showed up every day for his kids.

Carole was known first and foremost for her kindness. In her seventy-six years on this earth, she never spoke a negative word about another person. Not once. Not ever. Everyone who met her was met with grace and felt heard. Those who were fortunate enough to know her for more than a moment, or over a lifetime, were blessed beyond measure with her friendship. She was an incredibly talented photographer and artist in multiple mediums, including sculpting and painting. To her children, she gave all of her heart, body, and soul. Always loving, teaching, supporting, accepting, and championing them in their accomplishments, both big and small. She, too, was the embodiment of unconditional love. In life, she was thought of by all who knew her as an angel that walked among us. When she passed away, she was, undoubtedly, granted boundless wings to return home.

Together, Ronny and Carole instilled in their children a love for art and science, the joy of music, and the beauty in dancing. They took the family fishing, horseback riding, skating, skiing, and on many other adventures to experience new things in life. They taught their boys and girls, alike, how to throw a strike and the perfect spiral, how to mend their own socks and cook, how to change a tire before learning to drive, that manners and good etiquette matter, to carry a handkerchief and pocket knife, and to surround yourself with people you respect and admire. By example, they encouraged their children to be responsible, honest, and hardworking. Above all else, they believed that family is the most important thing in the world, never raise your voice to a loved one, and always take care of each other. 

Ronny and Carole gave their family a wonderful, loving foundation in life. In doing so, they paved the way for their children to find peace and gratefulness as they walk in their footprints. In the words of our family motto: Our love to go with you always, Mom and Dad.

They are survived by their four children – Matthew David Pyle, Caron Catherine (Pyle) Loffland (Matthew Brian Loffland), Elizabeth Marian (Pyle) Lahmann (Ryan Carl Lahmann), and Adam Bradford Pyle (Leanne Nicole Pyle); nine grandchildren, Fischer Parnell Loffland, Catherine Wilde Loffland, Elaina Catherine Lahmann, Audrey Elizabeth Lahmann, Caroline Cody Lahmann, Christalynne Camarion Pyle, Andrew David Pyle, Alexander Dee Irvin Pyle, and Alexis Jayne Pyle; and Carole’s brother, Michael Frederic Cody, and his two children, Michael Cody and Zachary Cody.

If you would like to share a memory to be read at the funeral service, please do so on the Tribute Wall.

Memorial donations may be made to the Norman Arts Council at the link below.