Kenneth and Carolyn Close

Kenneth’s Obituary
Kenneth Franklin Close, 82, of Copan, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, October 29, 2023.

Kenneth was born on April 11, 1941, in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, to Warren and Leona (Moon) Close. Although he only attended school through elementary, his life taught him the wisdom of working hard and staying humble, values he passed on to his sons.

Kenneth met his soulmate, Carolyn Janet Riff, at a young age. Growing up, they were neighbors and Carolyn used to say Kenneth annoyed her in their younger years. It was not until he was serving his country overseas when Carolyn realized she missed him. Kenneth used to say he chased Carolyn until she caught him.

On March 31, 1959, Carolyn and Kenneth exchanged vows at the Church of the Nazarene in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. At that time, Kenneth was in the Navy, so the couple spent 4 years apart with only 15 leave days a year. They stayed connected to each other with love letters, keepsakes that the family now cherishes.

After Kenneth was discharged from the Navy and the two reunited in 1963, Carolyn stayed home as a housewife and began to try and have children. After trying for 8 years to have a child, they adopted their first son Mark in 1966. Two years later they adopted their second son David. Carolyn and Kenneth loved their boys so deeply! To their surprise in 1970, Carolyn got a call from the doctor telling her she was pregnant. She couldn’t believe it! On June 9, 1971, she gave birth to her third son Jason.

Kenneth was a good provider for his family, working three jobs so that Carolyn could stay home and care for their children. He was a humble servant and modeled his life after Jesus. He served his country and his community, including working as a Bartlesville Police Officer. Kenneth always kept a sense of humor and was a jokester. He enjoyed sharing stories and also taught his sons hunting, fishing, and woodworking. Kenneth loved doing carpentry work. He was a Class-A mechanic.

Carolyn passed on February 6, 2023, leaving a gaping hole in Kenneth’s heart. He said Carolyn must have had to pass before him, so she could hold the gates of heaven open for him. The family rejoices in knowing they are now together once again.

Kenneth is survived by two sons, David Close, and Jason Close and his wife Robin; 10 grandchildren, Derek Close and his wife Sarah, Dalton Close, Dylan Close, John-Michael Cordova and his wife Lauren Cordova, who is a granddaughter of both Kenneth and Carolyn, Samuel Close, Jason Rylee Close and his wife Lilly, Sierra McElfresh and her husband Isaac, Chase Close, Andy Close and his wife Caitlin, and Hannah Close; 8 great-grandchildren; four siblings, Earl Close, Karan Bilyeu, Mary Thomas and Donna Jean; and numerous extended family and friends.

In addition to his beloved wife, Carolyn, Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Warren and Leone Close; a son, Mark Franklin Close; a granddaughter, Richelle Alexandra (VanDyke) Strickland; three brothers, Floyd Eugene Close, David Lee Close, and Warren Close; and a sister, Carol Ann Dunkle.

Carolyn’s Obituary

Carolyn Close, 80, of Copan, died Monday, February 6th, in Copan.

On February 15, 1942, Roland and Ruth (Larmore) Riff welcomed their daughter, Carolyn, into this world in a small home in Washington County, Oklahoma. Carolyn attended Bartlesville High School but never graduated; instead, she married the love of her life Kenneth Close.

On March 31, 1959, Carolyn and Kenneth exchanged vows at the Church of the Nazarene in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

After marriage the couple had to spend 4 years apart with only 15 leave days a year, because Kenneth had to go back to the Navy. The two stayed very loyal to each other! Kenneth couldn’t get back soon enough to start his life with his wife. When the two reunited in 1963, Carolyn stayed home as a housewife and began to try and have children. The two tried for 8 years to have children of their own but weren’t successful. Despite all the trial and error of starting a family, they adopted their first son Mark in 1966. Two years later they adopted their second son David. Carolyn and Kenneth loved their boys so deeply! To their surprise in 1970, Carolyn got a call from the doctor telling her she was pregnant! She couldn’t believe it! On June 9, 1971, she gave birth to her third son Jason.

Carolyn was an avid Christ follower and is known for her relationship with him. You could always catch her talking to Christ, no matter who was around or where she was at! Her children say she was there for just about everything. Carolyn loved crocheting, fishing, and even picking pecans when her eyesight was still good.

She is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Kenneth; two sons, David Close, and Jason Close and his wife Robin; a sister, Rolena Cole; two brothers, Jerry Riff and his wife Deborah, Chris Riff and his wife Sandy; 10 grandchildren, Derek Close and his wife Sarah, Dalton Close, Dylan Close, John-Michael Cordova and his wife Lauren Cordova, who is also a granddaughter of Carolyn, Sammy Close, Jason Rylee Close, Sierra McElfresh and her husband Isaac, Chase Close, Andy Close and his wife Caitlin, and Hannah Close; and numerous great-grandchildren, extended family and friends.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Roland and Ruth Riff; her sister, Pat Willams; her granddaughter, Richelle (VanDyke) Strickland; and her oldest son, Mark Close.