Ronald Gene Getman, 72, passed away on January 12th, 2021 after a short illness, with his family by his side.

A memorial service was held Tuesday, January 19th, at the Fairlawn Cemetary in Cushing, OK.

Ron was born December 13th, 1948, in Fairfax, Oklahoma, to Artie and Ruby Getman. Ron graduated high school in 1966 in Fairfax and went on to attend college at Oklahoma State University. While attending OSU in the 60’s Ron formed a band, the ‘Rubber Band’ with some of his fraternity brothers. The band moved to Los Angeles, where they landed a record deal with Epic Records and changing their band name to CARP, releasing one album.

Ron then moved to New York City and began work as a session musician playing and singing on hundreds of commercials and albums for many artists, including Leonard Cohen, Loudon Wainwright III, and Janis Ian. Ron toured with many artists, the most memorable “Various Positions” tour for Leonard Cohen, which introduced the legendary song “Hallelujah” to the world. Recently, this song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Ron returned to Tulsa in the late ’80s and teamed up with Steve Ripley to co-own and operate The Church Studio, co-producing and performing for Roy Clark and Freddy Fender. He also recorded and played with country star Ronnie Dunn and then became a founding member of Tulsa-based country-rock band, The Tractors, in the mid-’90s, with Casey Van Beek, Walt Richmond, Steve Ripley, and Jamie Oldaker. The Tractors toured extensively and went on to be nominated for Grammy, CMA, and ACM awards, and won the CMA award in 1995 for Best Video ‘Baby Likes to Rock It’.

Post Tractors, Ron teamed up with Van Beek and Tulsa singer/songwriter Wiley Hunt to form the Rusty Cage Band entertaining the Tulsa area for many years.

Ron shared with his family recently, his proudest moment during his career was playing on stage with Tammy Wynette and George Jones in Switzerland in 1995 performing the song ‘Rockin Chair’

Ron’s passion was the music industry; however, he also had another passion, providing care for those with special needs. Ron worked part-time for Premier Community Services of Tulsa. Ron worked for a special friend, Blake Haney, for 10.5 years. Blake and his family were very important to Ron, becoming a second family to him.

Ron was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing courses all over the world. Ron’s favorite course was St. Andrews in Scotland. Ron’s favorite golf moment was attending the PGA in Tulsa.

Ron is survived by the love of his life Darlene Getman of Florida, his brother, Reggie Getman and wife Bobbie of Ponca City; his brother, Ronny White of Stillwater; Sister Christy Ware and husband John of Wynona, sister Theresa Patterson of Moore, sister Angie Novotny and husband Floyd of Ponca City, and step-mother Glenda Getman of Ponca City. Ron also had numerous nieces and nephews and life-long friends.

Ron is preceded in death by his parents Artist and Ruby Getman.

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