Wayne Ping

Memorial service for Wayne Ping will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 16, 2018 at New Hope Church of God. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Friday, June 15, from 1pm-8pm, with family receiving visitors from 6pm-8pm. Wayne passed away on Tuesday, June 12, 2018. He was 79.

Wayne was born in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma on April Fool's Day in 1939. He lived in various parts of Tulsa growing up. His old stomping grounds were the ranch and cattle land now known as Tulsa Union/Woodland Hills Mall area. At the age of 17, Wayne left school and enlisted in the United States Army. He completed Basic Training at Fr. Carson, Colorado. His military specialty was a crew chief on the Bell Helicopter. His military assignments included stops in Korea, Presidio (San Francisco), Ft. Clayton, Panama, Lima Peru, Ft. Devens, Tobyhanna Army Depot. On leave from Presidio, he returned to Tulsa to visit family. During this visit, he stopped at a drive-up restaurant and met a car-hop named Sue. Within three days, he married this young lady and on August 8, they will have been married 59 years. Their crossing paths were witness to God working in a marvelous way. Wayne served his country admirably for nine plus years.

In 1967, he returned to Claremore to start the next phase of his life. He was hired at American Airlines as a mechanic. He was a loyal employee that worked himself up the chain of responsibility. Wayne worked as an Avionics Technician, Foreman, Inspector, to Quality Assurance Manager. His dedication and commitment to the company was second to none. He always knew what right looked like and had high expectations for all the people he supervised. His safety record for 32 and half years at American Airlines was 100%.

In 1973, Wayne dedicated his life to the Lord. He was a true witness to everyone he touched, especially through his music. Wayne taught himself how to play the guitar and mandolin. He spent hours writing his own songs and music. One of his enduring goals was to record his own CD, which he completed in early 2000. He was a regular at churches throughout Claremore spreading the gospel in music. For 17 years Wayne used his musical gifts to spread the word of God at Flying J Truck Stop in Tulsa.

In 1978, Wayne completed one of his lasting goals. He took advantage of his GI Bill and returned to school to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. A tremendous accomplishment for an individual that dropped out of High School in the 10th grade to have the drive and fortitude to get a college degree. He is a true example if you set your mind to something there is no hurdle that he could not cross.

Since Wayne’s retirement from American Airlines he enjoyed spending his time creating his own music and developing his skills as a golfer. Wayne also loved having his family around, especially those grandchildren. He has remained a lifelong citizen of Claremore since 1967.

Those family members that survive include his wife Sue of their home; his son Daryl Ping and wife Denise of Claremore and his daughter Teresa Collins and husband Jeff of Mannford; his grandchildren Jami Steiner and husband Darrell, Heather Dyer and husband Ben, Kesha Ping and fiancée Zach Womack, Carson Collins, Colton Collins and Kellyn Collins; his great grandchildren Sean and Aaron Steiner, Raelynn Steiner, Kennedy Steiner and Nolan Dyer; his brothers Arthur William Cummisky and wife Shirley of Bixby and David Cummisky and wife of Kansas; his sister Carol Simmons of Salina and his sister-in-law Becky Cummisky. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents and brother Rodney Cummisky.