Ronald Ray Earley

Ronald Ray Earley, 71, of Tulsa, passed away on September 10th. Ron was a star dancer, educator, husband, father and grandfather and will be deeply missed.

Ron and his twin brother Rick were born November 11th, 1950 in Garfield Heights, Ohio. When Ron was a teenager, his sister's dance teacher recruited Ron and Rick to be in a dance recital and told the girls in the troupe to shamelessly flirt with the brothers. It helped nudge Ron into a career as an accomplished professional ballet dancer. He was a principal dancer with the Ohio Ballet, Ballet Puertorriqueno, Boston Repertory Ballet, Tampa Ballet, and Colorado Ballet.

He met Susan Frei when they both were performing with the Tampa Ballet, and they often were dance partners both before and after they were married in 1982. Ron also loved dancing in musicals and was chosen by megastar Cyd Charisse to be her partner in "Greenwich Village Scandals of 1923."

After retiring from dance, Ron taught Math and Science at Tulsa's Kerr Elementary until ill health forced him to retire. He loved to paint and to visit the Gathering Place. Because he married into a football family, Ron attended the Super Bowl twice to root the Denver Broncos on to back-to-back victories. He was so proud when his wonderful daughter, Elizabeth Earley, graduated from nursing school and he adored his grandchildren Jimmie Phillips and Chloe Jones.

Besides Susan, Elizabeth, Jimmie and Chloe, Ron is survived by his great son-in-law Cody Jones; brothers Richard, David, and John; sisters Jacqueline Slone and Kate Smith, plus many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Sylvan and Lucille Earley, and his brother Stephen.

The Memorial Ceremony and reception will be held at Schaudt's Funeral Service, 5757 South Memorial Drive in Tulsa, Tuesday, September 20, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donating to Tulsa Ballet -- for which Susan Frei Earley serves as rehearsal director and artistic coordinator -- in Ron's honor.

Arrangements are entrusted to Schaudt's Tulsa Funeral Service & Cremation Care, 5757 South Memorial Drive, Tulsa, OK 74145. Family and friends may leave kind words of comfort, special memories and condolences to the family online at www.schaudtfuneralservice.com