Theodore Ralstin McAlister of Sapulpa, OK passed peacefully on September 27th and is now cruising the golden roads of heaven. Ted was born on April 23rd, 1938, in Guthrie, OK to Samuel and Fern Daniels McAlister. He grew up in Okmulgee, OK with his older sister Sammielee. Shortly after high school, Ted married Portra Graham in 1956 and their children were Gregory John, Jeffrey Scott, Stephanie Kaye, Bryan Theodore, and Greta Sue. In 1985 he married Rhonda Tripp Clarkson and their only child was Samantha Raye.
He always had a love of cars and started his working career at the age of 15 working at a filling station. He then worked at Kress 5¢ & 10¢ and became a manager with the opportunity to move to Hawaii. He chose to take his life in a different direction and started selling insurance. From there, he relocated his family to Sapulpa Oklahoma and operated Ted’s 59 minute Wardrobe Dry Cleaners while also working as a supervisor at Banner Engineering. He then moved into becoming the owner of John’s Pawn Shop where he worked for over 30 years. He attempted retirement but couldn’t stay away from work so he went into driving a school bus for Sapulpa Public Schools for 20 years, officially retiring in 2021.
He was a member of the JayCees, Okmulgee Esquires Car Club, Lions Club, Sapulpa Trolley Board, Dragon Masters Car Club, Clan McAlister of America board member, and a member of the Sapulpa Nazarene Church. He was a recipient of the Melvin F. Jones Fellowship award from the Lions Club of America and was the first two time President of the Lions Club in Oklahoma. He also received the Distinguished Service Award from the Sapulpa First Church of the Nazarene.
Ted leaves behind to carry on his legacy, his loving wife Rhonda; his children Jeff & Lisa McAlister, Bryan & Shelli McAlister, Greta Newton, and Samantha McAlister. His most treasured legacy, his grandchildren; Patrick McAlister, Alexandria Brower, Cassidy Henry, Kayla Newton, Jessalyn McAlister, Jacob Hurst, Dillon Youngblood, Lane Youngblood, Porter McAlister, and Peyton McAlister, his 6 great-grandchildren. His nieces & nephew Carolann, Richard, and Nini.
Visitation will be on Friday, September 30th, 2022 from 4-7:00PM at the Smith Funeral Home.
Services will be held at 10:00AM, Saturday October 1, 2022 at the Sapulpa First Church of the Nazarene.
Burial will follow at the Okmulgee Cemetery at 2601 S. Wood Dr., Okmulgee, OK 74447.
