Ellis Bobby Rooks, a lifelong resident of the Harrah and McLoud area, stepped peacefully into Heaven on Sept. 4, 2026, in Oklahoma City. He was 59.
Bobby was born May 23, 1967, in Shawnee, OK, to Ellis and Ramona (Musgrove) Rooks. He attended Harrah Public Schools and graduated from Bethel Christian Academy in Choctaw in 1985. Bobby had the gift of being a great friend, and many of his classmates remained close throughout his life.
From the time he was a boy, Bobby loved anything that moved - bikes, cars, planes, and boats. He loved driving, fixing, painting, and selling them. His talent showed early, when he sat on the fenders of cars that Dad worked on, with his feet hanging down in the engine compartment. That became a career as an auto body shop owner and estimator.
A gifted craftsman, Bobby especially loved custom painting classic vehicles.
In later years, he learned how to raise and sell quail and eggs.
With his children, Bobby helped start and run a children’s church that grew from his two into a ministry serving an average of 80 children, many of whom later returned with children of their own. He won hearts for Christ while mowing the churchyard, watching basketball, saying grace over pizza, and pouring Kool-Aid.
Bobby could be found most of the time outdoors. He loved NASCAR racing, fishing, shooting and collecting guns, and family. We had many good times at the family place at Paden.
He is preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Ellis Sr. and Marie Rooks; and maternal grandparents, Grady and Marie Musgrove; and sister, Brenda Carol Rooks.
He is survived by his parents, Ellis and Ramona Rooks; his children, Baylee Rooks and James McKaughan, and Grady Rooks; sister, Ellisa Hinton, and brother-in-law, Tommy Sparks; niece, Marissa Hinton; his loving extended family and countless friends.
Visitation was Sept. 9, 2026, at AE Funeral Services, 603 W. Independence St., Shawnee, OK.
Funeral Service will be today, Sept. 10, 2026, at 10 am at AE Funeral Services. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery in Paden, OK.
