Memorial service for Ronnie G. Hartline, 76, Lawton, will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 7, 2015, in Cameron Baptist Church with Rev. Mike Teel, Pastor officiating. Mr. Hartline was a very well known athlete, teacher, coach and friend to many in the community. He died in the comfort of his home with family on May 4th, his 76th birthday. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery under the direction of the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home. Born May 4, 1939 at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma to Tommy and Juanita Hartline. Ronnie grew up in the Lawton community, attending Lincoln Elementary, Central Jr. High, and graduating from Lawton High School in 1957. His honors were many and very well deserved in his three years with Lawton High. Under the coaching of Bob Bodenhamer, he became one of the best running backs to come out of Lawton High, and was invited to the Oklahoma All State, the Texas/Oklahoma Oil Bowl, and the All America game in Memphis, Tennessee. He was selected as the Most Valuable player in all three games. This accomplishment has yet to be achieved by any other Lawton graduate. Following high school, Ronnie was recruited by Bud Wilkerson to attend Oklahoma University along with four other teammates from the 1957 team. After appearing in a number of bowl games and being selected co captain of the 1960 Sooners, he proceeded to be drafted by the Dallas Texans of the American Football League, and eventually became the 4th overall draft pick to Detroit Lions of the National Football League. After eight weeks with the Lions, he was commissioned through the ROTC program at OU and was stationed in Ashofinberg, Germany where he played football for the Fifth Corp, and earned the honor of being voted All Army. On leaving the Army, he continued in the Army Reserve until his retirement with rank of Lt. Colonel. During his time he finished his education requirements at Southwestern College in Weatherford, Oklahoma. Ronnie began his long, successful coaching and teaching career at Lawton High School, his beloved Alma Mater. After a 4 year stint with Lawton high as the running backs coach, he became the first head coach for MacArthur High School when it opened its doors in 1969 until he retired in 1992. He started with a young, first year team and quickly began setting records and traditions that will hold for a long time. Ronnie finished his 24 year career with MacArthur High with a record of 169 104, in which he led the team to 5 City Championships, 2 State Runner Up appearances (the first appearance in only his third year as head coach), appeared in the playoffs 14 of 24 years, the semi finals 6 years, and coached 16 All State players. He was a great mentor for many young men throughout his life. He was known as a stern coach with high standards and expectations for his players. After retiring from Lawton Public Schools he could be found on the golf course, mowing lawns or with a paint brush in his hand. Many senior citizens called upon him for his handyman abilities because he was always willing to give them a helping hand when others would not. He stayed up to date on Lawton's happenings at all the morning coffee drinker's spots where he always seemed to hold the floor. More recently, Ronnie was inducted into the Oklahoma Coaches Hall of Fame in 2014. The greatest honor a coach can receive is to be named "Coach of the Year." Ronnie Hartline was given the honor of being named the outstanding coach of the 1971 72 year in the state of Oklahoma. When asked how he felt about being elected Coach of the Year, he said, "It would not have been possible without the great desire of the team, and the help of three outstanding assistant coaches." He also commented, "I would rather have seen another guy from our team chosen as All District instead of me being chosen Coach of the Year." He will truly be missed by family, classmates, teammates, former student athletes, and school staff and administrators. He loved to travel, sightsee, golf or just go on a quick road trip. He is survived by his wife, Letha Hartline, of the home; a daughter and son in law, Laurie and Jeff Applekamp, Tulsa, Oklahoma; a son and daughter in law, Patrick and Susan Hartline, Hilliard, Ohio; a step daughter and her husband, Cathy and Rick Wells, Lawton; a step son and his wife, Gary and Jan Coakley, Roseville, California; three grandchildren, Tyler Ott, Tommy Hartline and Scott Hartline; four step grandchildren, Stephen Coakley and wife LaVeta, Lauren Wells, Amanda Coakley and Sean Coakley; two sisters and a brother in law, Loretta Hartline and Sharon and Bill Stamps, all of Lawton; a brother, Rick Hartline, Oklahoma City; several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to Cameron Baptist Church, 2621 SW C Avenue, Lawton OK 73505.