Former Kingfisher city manager Reuben Pulis died late Monday night in Oklahoma City, following a bout with cancer.

He celebrated his 80th birthday 11 days earlier.

Pulis served as city manager from 1989-2000 after moving here from Walters.

During his tenure, Pulis oversaw construction of the Vernie Snow Aquatic Center and was instrumental in establishing Kingfisher in Lights, the popular holiday light display in Kingfisher Park that was the predecessor to Kingfisher Winter Nights.

Pulis was born in Cloud Chief Oct. 6, 1942 and grew up in Weatherford and Rexroat before his family settled in Temple in 1949, where he graduated high school in 1960.

He married Sharon Kay Smith on Nov. 23, 1963, in Walters and the couple raised three daughters.

He was employed at Cotton Electric Coop from 19601980, then worked for the city of Walters until 1989, when he accepted the city manager position at Kingfi sher.

Pulis continued working in city administration as city manager for Chandler until 2006.

After retirement, the Pulises returned to Temple, where Pulis continued in public service as mayor until the time of his death.

Pulis was active in the Masonic lodge and he and his wife participated in Eastern Star.

One of his proudest achievements was completion of a college degree this fall that he started at Cameron University in 1978.

He was an avid quail hunter, owned race horses and raised bucking bulls.

He was preceded in death by his parents, T.R. and Artie Pulis; and three siblings, Ada Fern Cain, Nelda Tidwell and Bill Pulis.

Survivors include his wife, Sharon, of the home; three daughters and sons-in-law, Amy Woods and Ronnie of Kingfisher, Traci Courange and Deryck of Norman, Lori Lukasek and Justin of Kingfisher; his grandchildren, Ricky Woods and Amber, Kaytlyn, Trevor and Tyler Woods, Max and Olivia Courange, Emma and Zoe Lukasek; his great grandchildren, Preslee, Payton and Jaggar Woods; his siblings, Oscar Pulis and Pat of Walters, Wanda Froese of Craig, Colo., and Carolyn King of Walters; other relatives and a host of friends.

Funeral services were Friday, Oct. 21, at Countryside Baptist Church, east of Comanche.

Dr. Brad Allen officiated with John H. Scaggs assisting, followed by interment in the Walters Cemetery.