Carl Renfro
January 16, 1938 - April 24, 2026
Carl Renfro, a devoted community leader and philanthropist, passed away on Friday afternoon, April 24, 2026, leaving behind a heartbroken family, countless friends, and a grateful community that will feel his absence for years to come. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 9th at First United Methodist Church, 200 S. 6th Street, Ponca City. Pastor Leon Veazey will be officiating. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK, 74601.
Carl was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on January 16, 1938. His family later moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where he was raised, before ultimately making Ponca City his chosen home in 1968 - a community he would spend the rest of his life uplifting, shaping, and loving. Carl was a family man who loved simple things. Steak and potatoes, brownies and ice cream would be a perfect meal for him. He looked forward each year to the flowers blooming in the beds around the house and spent time outside on the patio watching the birds enjoy them as well. He was an avid golfer and would often load up his dog Caroline and just drive around the Country Club course. He loved music, going to movies, watching OU football, and always looked forward to visits from his children, grandchildren, and other family members and friends.
Carl graduated from the University of Missouri - Kansas City in 1960 with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Finance. Additionally, he completed further studies with the American Banking Association through the University of Oklahoma. His professional career was marked by exceptional leadership, most notably as Chairman and CEO of Pioneer Bank & Trust from 1979 through 2006. He served as past chairman of the Oklahoma Bankers Association Senior Banking Management Committee and held leadership roles in numerous civic organizations, including the Kiwanis Club, Crime Stoppers, the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce President's Club, St. Joseph Medical Foundation, Ponca City Friends of Education, the Ponca City Economic Development Foundation, Harmony House, and served as President of the Ponca City Country Club.
At the time of his passing Carl was serving on the RCB Bank Advisory Board and the RCB Bank Trust Board. Carl's life was defined by service - steadfast, generous, and deeply personal. Some of his awards and recognition include:
• 12 Years as an Oklahoma State Regent for Higher Education and Chairman in 2004
• Ponca City Outstanding Citizen of the Year
• DAR Community Service Award
• Sertoma Service to Mankind Award
• Edward P. Gaylord Oklahoma Heritage Award
• Governor’s Art Award (Oklahoma Arts Council)
• Distinguished Service Award (Great Expectations Foundation)
• Honor Wall recognition – (City of Ponca City & Marland Estate Foundation)
• Naming of the Carl Renfro Nursing and Communications Center
• Induction into the Oklahoma Higher Education Hall of Fame
• Induction into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame
It was always Carl’s intent to help his community grow and flourish and to that end, he was generous and a visionary as he helped establish foundations and endowment funds to help perpetuate area organizations and efforts. Some of those include:
• Standing Bear Native American Foundation and project
• University Center Foundation and endowed scholarship fund
• Northern Oklahoma College Foundation Renfro endowed lectureship program
• Marland Estate Foundation endowment fund
• Hospice of North Central Oklahoma matching fund for renovation
• Northern Oklahoma Humane Society building renovation
• Cushing Valley Hope renovation and endowed scholarship fund
In 2023 Carl and his wife Brenda set out to bring the movie “Killers of the Flower Moon” to the Poncan Theatre. Through the Renfro Lectureship program with Northern Oklahoma College, they were successful in hosting one of the premier showings of the movie. It was a gift of love to the Ponca City area community.
Carl was preceded in death by his late wife Carolyn, daughter Cindy Gorrell, his brothers, Gene, Johnny, and JR., and his sister, Vesta. He leaves behind, his wife, Brenda (Berman) Renfro; his children; Rick and wife Nancy Renfro, Randy and wife Karen Renfro, son-in-law Paul Gorrell; five grandchildren; Adam and wife Lauren Renfro, Taylor and husband Sam Gill, Emily and husband Greg Gallagher, Kelly and husband Brad Lewis, and Spencer Renfro and seven great-grandchildren; Parker, Cooper, Hudson, Jack, Harper, Henry, and Milo, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He is also mourned by his beloved dog Caroline.
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