Rachel Ging, born September 30, 1954 in Elk City, OK, Rachel was the youngest of three daughters born to Rev. Herman and Dorothy Ging. Rachel passed away peacefully at her home in Sapulpa, OK on July 6, 2026 at the age of 71.

Rachel was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Marsha Ozbim and Carleen Hoover, her nephew Che Hoover, and great-nephew Kael Dibler. She is survived by her nieces Celeste Hoover and Heather Pilant, and nephew Burk Ozbim, great and great-great nieces and nephews, co-guardians and lifelong friends Greg and Becky Pugmire and Dr. Virginia Gray, and a wealth of friends and caregivers.

And a special recognition for her primary caregiver Sandra Anderson of BIOS, who the family attributes the quality of life she provided Rachel over the last nine years.

Rachel was born with cerebral palsy, but someone forgot to tell HER that! For more than a decade she competed in the Oklahoma Special Olympics in basketball, volleyball, track and field. In 1992, after being nominated by U.S. Congressman Mike Synar, Oklahoma State Senator Jerry Pierce, and State Representative Rick Littlefield, Rachel was selected to receive Oklahoma Special Olympics Spirit Award for her enthusiasm, determination, and courage. During the opening ceremonies of the 23rd Annual State Summer Games, Lt. Governor Jack Mildren presented Rachel with the Spirit Award and named her as the State of Oklahoma Honorary Lieutenant Governor.

One of Rachel’s most favorite pastimes was listening to classical music. She loved to spread her favorite albums across the length of the sofa and along the floor where she would sing, march, and play “conductor” of the orchestra. She loved spending holidays with her family, and she was always up for a party — especially her own birthday parties.

Rachel spent several years in the supportive living community in Claremore. She worked with her job coach at Pizza Hut and Goodwill. She loved bragging about earning tips and depositing her paychecks into her bank account. Rachel enjoyed activities like bowling night, swimming, shopping and taking vacations to places like Disney World, Dollywood, Branson, and San Antonio, but her all-time favorite activity was putting on her cowboy boots to go horseback riding at American Therapeutic Riding Center.

Throughout her life, Rachel was surrounded by the steadfast love of an entire team made up of her family, her family of friends, her incredible group of DHS professionals, and an energetic group of caregivers. The team’s sole mission was to give Rachel every opportunity to live her very best life and we did just that. But this isn’t where Rachel’s story ends. Rachel’s spirit and enthusiasm carried her team. She taught us how to see the world through her eyes. She gave us the gift of one another. We each had our own strengths, talents, and ideas but Rachel was the common thread that weaved us all together in the beautiful tapestry that was her life.

Memorial services will be 2 pm Friday, September 25, 2026, at Sapulpa Methodist Church, 1401 E Taft Ave. Arrangements are under the direction of Traditions Funeral Home, 35 S Main, Kellyville, OK, 74039, 918-247-7373.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts in Rachel’s name to:

American Therapeutic Riding Center, 395 N. 177th W AveSand Springs, OK 74063.

Special Olympics Oklahoma, 6835 S. Canton Ave.Tulsa, OK 74136.