Rual Clifton Robbins

January 29, 1930 — August 23, 2026

Rual Clifton Robbins, 96, of Ada, Oklahoma, passed away on August 23, 2026. He was born January 29, 1930, in Dallas, Texas, to William Riley Robbins and Emma Poer Robbins of Stonewall, Oklahoma.

Rual spent his early childhood in Dallas during the Great Depression, where even as a boy he showed the entrepreneurial spirit that would stay with him his whole life — managing a paper route and running a grocery delivery service out of a neighborhood store for a dime or a quarter a trip. Friends and family will remember one small, telling habit from those early days that never left him: jingling change in his front pants pocket.

Rual proudly served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, rising to the rank of Sergeant and serving as a Master Airplane Mechanic.

Early in his career, Rual taught school in Colorado and Indiana, where he and Retha taught together, before returning to the Ada area, where he spent over 20 years in the Byng School system, retiring in 1986. Alongside his teaching career, he also operated a hay and cattle operation on the family home place.

On December 22, 1956, he married Retha Cantrell. Together they raised three sons — Rual Clifton Jr. (Cliff), Randall Daryl, and Riley Edward Robbins — until Retha's passing in December 2013.

Rual's greatest joy was his family. In retirement, he also took up golf, playing 2-3 rounds a week and carding an impressive six holes-in-one over his playing days.

He is survived by his two sons, Cliff Robbins of Ada, OK, and Randall Robbins and wife Janice of Canyon, TX; five grandchildren, Kyle Robbins and wife Leslie of Georgetown, TX, LaShell Robbins of Spring Hill, TN, Cory Robbins of Plano, TX, Savanna Robbins of San Antonio, TX, and Matthew Robbins of Dallas, TX; three great-grandchildren and the pride and joy of his final years, Austen, Charlotte, and Dean Robbins; his sister, Stephanie Sill; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Emma; his wife, Retha; his son, Riley Edward Robbins; his sisters, Pernie, Roxie, Francis, and Marion; and his brothers, William, James, and Kenneth.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Friday, August 28, from 5:30–8:00 PM at Criswell Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held Saturday, August 29, at 10:00 AM at Rosedale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a charity of the donor's choice.