Longtime area physician and one of the founders of the Center of Family Love, Dr. Ted Fortmann, died Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019, at age 85.

Over the course of his more than 50-year practice in family medicine, Fortmann treated patients in Kingfisher and Okarche as well as at a Surrey Hills clinic he established with his wife Sally, a registered nurse.

But the Fortmanns’ most significant contribution to the county may be their role in founding the Center of Family Love more than 40 years ago, working with the Knights of Columbus.

Mrs. Fortmann, who died in October 2013, actually gave the center its name and the couple’s daughter Julie was among the center’s first 48 residents in 1981.

Fortmann was born July 16, 1934, in Oklahoma City to Anton “Tom” and Annisa (Craiker) Fortmann.

He earned a degree in pharmacy in 1958 and then later returned to school to earn his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma.

He and his wife Sally were married for 55 years and had three children, Annisa Mueggenborg and husband Jerry of Yukon, Scott Fortmann and wife Nancy of Okarche, and Julie Fortmann, who died in 2006 at age 42.

Fortmann also is survived by five grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

A mass of Christian burial to celebrate his life was scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at St. John of Nepomuk Catholic Church, 600 S. Garth Brooks Blvd., in Yukon.

The family suggested memorial donations be made to the Center of Family Love, 635 W. Texas Ave., Okarche, Okla. 73762.

CFL CEO Debbie Espinosa was not available Friday to comment on Fortmann’s passing, but a CFL spokesperson said the facility plans to issue a news release later this week memorializing Fortmann’s work for the center.

A complete obituary appears elsewhere in this edition.