Michele Fruits

Michele Pilcher Fruits, born November 4, 1954, in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Dan and Nino Pilcher, passed away suddenly on March 19,2026.

Michele was raised in Oklahoma City, where she graduated from John Marshall High School in 1973. During her youth, she was involved in many activities, but tennis was always her greatest passion. The sport provided her with many opportunities and lifelong friendships—but most importantly, it led her to meet her future husband on the tennis courts while she was finishing high school.

Michele went on to attend Oklahoma State University, where she earned a degree in microbiology. While at OSU, she pledged Kappa Delta and remained actively involved throughout her life, forming lasting friendships.

After many years of dating, Michele married the love of her life, Dr. Terry Fruits, in June of 1979, beginning a lifelong partnership built on love, devotion, and shared experiences.

Following college, Michele began what would become a remarkable 44-year career at McBride Orthopedic Hospital. She first served as a medical technologist and later as Director of Laboratory, where her leadership, expertise, and dedication made a lasting impact. Even after retiring in February 2024, Michele continued to lend her time and talents whenever she was needed.

In retirement, Michele embraced life fully and joyfully. She had a wide circle of friends and stayed active in many groups, including mahjong, pickleball, walking and hiking, book club, and her beloved “bunco babes.” She was deeply involved in supporting her son’s many Special Olympics endeavors and found great pride and joy in those experiences. Michele loved spontaneous outings and never turned down an adventure.

She especially cherished the time she spent caring for her grandsons, Hank and Ronan. Whether during everyday moments or long weekends at the family’s lake house at Tenkiller, Michele found her greatest happiness being with them.

Michele made friends with everyone, everywhere she went. She had a remarkable ability to remember every person she met and believed deeply in showing up for others and caring for them in any way she could. She will be remembered as the glue that held her people together.

Despite her many friendships and activities, nothing meant more to Michele than her daily phone conversations with her daughter and sister.

Michele is survived by her husband, Terry Fruits of Edmond, Oklahoma; her daughter, Paige Fruits and her husband Logan Cox, and grandsons Hank and Ronan Cox; her son, Alex; her sister, Kelly Peterson and her husband Kirk Peterson, along with their children Katie, Kristin (husband Colin and daughter Lillian), and Kalvin; and her brother, Dan Pilcher and his wife Emily, and their daughters Sophie and Grace Pilcher.

Funeral services, under the direction of Smith & Kernke Funeral Home, will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 16, at All Souls Episcopal Church, 6400 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Oklahoma City, OK, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the OSU Unified Sports Excellence Fund (secure.osugiving.com) or to the charity of your choice.

Michele will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.

To watch the service live click the following link: https://allsoulsokc.com/live