Okmulgee County News Source

TIMMY RAY McCALL
Timmy Ray McCall died at home on August 18, 2014 at 55 years of age.  Tim was born in Okmulgee on July 3, 1959 to James Lyle and Veta Fay (Southern) McCall.  On May 29, 1981 he married Angelia Allen.  He was a hard worker, owning two business in the past, Oklahoma Alternator, Starter & Machine Shop and Box Office Video until he went to work for Phillips Auto Repair.  Most recent he has been at Covington Aircraft for the past ten years where he loved his job and his co-workers.  Tim could do anything and would help anyone.  He was always seen around town in his favorite multi-colored step-side pickup with his 4-legged best friend Cameo.
    Tim was preceded in death by step-father Robert Repsher, nephew Justin, father-in-law Buddy Allen,  Uncle Richard Gunter Sr., Aunt Berna Rainwater, Aunt Beverly Dossey, cousin Lannie Tucker and grandparents: Raymond ”Bunny” Southern and Ricky, and James Carl McCall and Josephine Brown.  He is survived by his wife Angelia Allen-McCall of the home, best buddy Cameo, two sons: Joshua McCall and wife Julie and Jake McCall and wife Lindsey, seven grandchildren: Brendan, Jacey, Kadynce, Emberlynn, Alexis, Pippa and Allie, his father James Lyle McCall, mother Veta Repsher, brothers: Darrel McCall and wife Pam, Roger McCall, sister Christie Palmer and husband Alex, nieces and nephews: Tonya, Dallas, Dalton, Shande, Tyler, Skyler, Quintin, Meredith, Mikey, Noah and Jace, mother-in-law Mary Pearson and husband Bill, brothers-in-law: Rusty Allen, Jeff Allen and wife Tara, Joe Allen and wife Anita, Aunt Cleta Southern, Aunt Donna Gunter, Aunt and Uncle Vicky and Eddie Mosco, Uncle and Aunt Cecil McCall and Joann, Uncle Don Rainwater, Uncle Edward Dossey, and cousins: Grant Tucker, Ruchard, Jr., Rhonda Karnard, Angela Berryhill, Ronnie Been Jr., Mike, Edward, Russell, Tony Rainwater, Lisa Rainwater Baker, Vicky Brewer, Randy and Richard Dossey.
    A funeral service will be held on Friday, August 22, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. at the First Baptist Church in Okmulgee with Reverend Nick Garland officiating.  Interment will follow at the Okmulgee Cemetery.  Friends may see Tim at the McClendon-Winters Funeral Home in Okmulgee on Thursday from 1-8 PM with the family present to greet guests from 6-8 PM.  Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on Tim’s tribute page at www.mcclendon-winters.com

Jerry Roosevelt Lowe
Jerry Roosevelt Lowe, 77, a resident of Checotah, OK, died Saturday, August 16, 2014.
MEMORIAL GRAVESIDE SERVICE will be held at    2:00 PM Thursday, August 21st, 2014 at the    Silver Spring Cemetery, Tiger Mountain, Oklahoma.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Integrity Funeral Service of Henryetta.

Sidney Marvin Umsted Jr.
Sidney Marvin Umsted Jr., 91, a resident of Henryetta, died  Monday, August 18, 2014. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday, August 20th, 2014 at the  Silver Spring Baptist Church, Tiger Mountain, Oklahoma. Burial will be at 4 p.m. at the Erick Cemetery, Erick, OK.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Integrity Funeral Service of Henryetta.

HENRY LOUIS HARJO JR.
Henry Louis Harjo, Jr., a longtime resident of Henryetta, died Friday, August 15, 2014 in Lawton, Oklahoma at the age of 62.
Graveside funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at Berryhill Family Cemetery in Wilson at 2:00pm with Rev. Wallace Gambler officiating. Services have been entrusted to Integrity Funeral Service of Henryetta.

Upcoming Events in Okmulgee
THE OKMULGEE JOM PARENT COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014 AT 6 PM AT THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING BUILDING ON THE MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION TRIBAL COMPLEX.

Benefit Fish Dinner for Otis O’Neal
A Benefit fish dinner for Otis O’Neal, who is in need of a liver transplant, will be held beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 23, 2014 at The American Legion Hut, corner of Wilson and Smith Street in Okmulgee. $8 per plate - either fish, two sides, dessert and hushpuppies, or chicken with two sides, dessert. Pop/water is $1. Call 918-758-7066 or 918-851-6295 - Otis O’Neal Liver Committee

Fire department, law enforcement encourage support of community blood drive on August 21st
Okmulgee fire department and law enforcement staffs are asking all area residents to come to the Guns ‘N Hoses blood drive with Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI).  It will occur Thursday, August 21st, from 2:00 to 7:00 pm, in First Baptist Church’s Gym, 311 W 5th St.
To fuel a little healthy competition, donors will choose which department to support by donating on behalf of law enforcement or the fire department.
Not only will each blood donor save up to three lives with their donation, they’ll also receive this year’s Guns ‘N Hoses T-shirt and a voucher, redeemable for two admission tickets to the Tulsa Zoo.
Anyone who is healthy and 16 years of age can donate*, and donations can be made every 56 days.

Root Beer Float Sale to Benefit United Way - Arvest Bank located at 222 W 5th in Okmulgee will be supporting our community by hosting a Root Beer Float Sale on Friday, August 29th . The Root Beer Floats will be $3.00 each  which includes a stadium cup.  The floats will be sold during our lobby hours of 7am-6pm All proceeds to benefit the United Way.

Okmulgee football season
tickets are on sale now
Football season tickets are on sale now for the 2014 home games for the Okmulgee High School varsity and junior varsity and the junior high.
The tickets are $30 for reserve seats for all of the games mentioned earlier.
To purchase your season tickets, please visit Diane in the Athletic Department office at Okmulgee High School.
For more information, please call Diane at 918-758-2075.

Okmulgee County Democrats to Meet
Thursday, August 21st at 6:30 p.m. at the Headquarters, located at 505 East 6th Street in Okmulgee.  We thank the candidates who have taken time out of their busy schedules to join us each month.  You make it worthwhile for us to meet.  We encourage all candidates who are facing a runoff on August 26th to be with us at this critical time and we will do everything we can to help you get elected.  In September we will have a table set up at the Okmulgee Fair for your convenience.  Bring your signs, flyers, etc. so we can distribute them for you.  There will be a phone bank set up at the Headquarters before the runoff and before the General Election and the dates will be decided at our meeting this month.  Looking forward to another great “Democratic” Meeting.

Benefit Indian Taco Dinner
Beggs First Assembly of God will hold a benefit Indian Taco Dinner on Friday, August 22nd - evening only - from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Adults are $7 and children are $4. The public is invited.

Prescribed Fire Association Meeting set for August 26th
The Okmulgee Prescribed Fire Association has scheduled a meeting for 7 pm, August 26th at the Okmulgee County Fairgrounds. Some of the topics for the meeting will be, prescribed burn plan review, discuss by-laws and policy, elect officers, burn tool training, and set up for a training burn.  

 Class of 1969 need landmark photos
The Okmulgee High School Class of 1969 is attempting to put together a video that covers some of the old landmarks and "haunts" familiar to those who grew up in Okmulgee in the 1950s and 1960s.  The Class of 1969 needs your help to accomplish this mission.
“We are looking for still photos,” a spokesman said. “Below is a wish list of places that we feel are memorable. Any help would be appreciated. Shots with people are fine of course but would prefer if they were in a recognizable setting. The list is not meant to limit you. If you find something from the era that is not on the list, please include. We would prefer digital format but are willing to scan if need be.
THE LIST: Orpheum, High Schools (OHS and Dunbar), Tower Drive In, Harmon Stadium, Brock Gym, Band Room, Municipal pool and Greenwood lake, Main Street (Ramsey's, Ray's Hardware, Stewart Lucky's, Kress, Barber Shops, Bishops, M&D/Key, etc.), Glass Plants/Refinery, Melody Roller Rink, Spillway/Big Rock Shelter, Teen Town/Red Baron, Armory, Kiddie Cook Lodge/Old Hospital, Tastee Freeze, DOG HOUSE, Coleman's Drive in. Any Elementary Schools and Churches.  Please contact the Daily Times if you have any of these old photos.

Okmulgee man wakes
to find house burning
An early-morning house fire was reported on Monday, Aug. 18, 2014, at a residence in the northeastern section of Okmulgee. From evidence at the scene, it appears the fire was deliberately set and is being investigated as an act of arson.
Marion Evans was alone inside the house at the time of the incident. Evans had just gone to bed - but for some reason he got up and noticed the flickering of fire. His actions may have saved his life.
The Okmulgee Fire Department dispatched fire fighters to a house on the corner of Miami and Kennedy after the initial call came in shortly after 1:00 a.m. on Monday.
The Okmulgee Police Department arrived first on the location. The OPD officer initially discovered fire burning on the front porch. There was also a large fire burning in a cedar tree in front of the residence.
The fire fighters went to work quickly to put out the blaze. However, the fire had fully engulfed front porch, front wall of house, and had to access through a gable vent into attic.
“It completely trashed the front porch and living room area of home,” Okmulgee Fire Marshal Rick Chisum said. “A huge collection of LP (long play records) and cassette tapes were lost due to fire, water and smoke damage.”
 According to the fire marshal, the early-morning blaze was not an accident. It appears the fire was set on the left side of the front door of the house. It began where there are a couple of recliners.
The victim did not see who started the fire. However, investigators have learned that there was “an incident” a few hours earlier at this location.
Chisum said his department hopes to speak with anyone who has any information related to this fire. If you know anything about the incident, please call the Okmulgee Fire Department’s non-emergency phone number at 918-756-3265.
The local chapter of the American Red Cross provided Evans with assistance following the fire.

Fire department, law enforcement

encourage support of community

blood drive on August 21st
Okmulgee fire department and law enforcement staffs are asking all area residents to come to the Guns ‘N Hoses blood drive with Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI).  It will occur Thursday, August 21st, from 2:00 to 7:00 pm, in First Baptist Church’s Gym, 311 W 5th St.
To fuel a little healthy competition, donors will choose which department to support by donating on behalf of law enforcement or the fire department.
Not only will each blood donor save up to three lives with their donation, they’ll also receive this year’s Guns ‘N Hoses T-shirt and a voucher, redeemable for two admission tickets to the Tulsa Zoo.
Anyone who is healthy and 16 years of age can donate*, and donations can be made every 56 days.
Oklahoma Blood Institute is the ninth largest, non-profit blood center in America, providing every drop of blood needed by patients in more than 150 medical facilities across Oklahoma.
For more information about OBI or to make an appointment, call Oklahoma Blood Institute at 877-340-8777 or schedule online at www.obi.org.
* 16 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds

Summer grads poised to enter workforce
OSU Institute of Technology will graduate nearly 400 students this Friday, delivering much needed relief for companies seeking highly-skilled technicians, bridging the nation’s skills gap.
OSUIT’s summer commencement will recognize its 198th graduating class with two ceremonies. The first begins at 2 p.m., Friday, Aug. 22 in Covelle Hall, located at 1801 E. 4th Street, in Okmulgee.
Automotive Technologies and Heavy Equipment and Vehicle Institute will join together for a 7 p.m. ceremony held later that evening and in the same building.
Physics instructor Mark Rodriguez will serve as the keynote speaker for both ceremonies.
“It’s a great honor to address the graduates and their families and guests,” he said.
Rodriguez has been an instructor at OSUIT for nearly a decade and has become a favorite of students and teachers alike. He was named a Regents Distinguished Educator by the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents, as well as a National Institute for Staff and Organization Development (NISOD) Excellence Award Winner.
“I want to be relevant to the future each graduate will face,” he said, but he’s not really nervous about addressing a gym full of people— twice. “After making plans for so many things in life and then realizing they won’t work as planned, I found being flexible and going with whatever needs to be done saves a lot of grief and disappointment.”
While it’s unusual for most college and universities to have a summer commencement, OSUIT’s summer graduating class is typically the largest.
“It is quite the process with a lot of hands on deck,” said Bruce Force, Director of Student Life. “This is without a doubt a more challenging time than the fall and spring ceremonies due to the number of graduates and guests we have on campus.”
This year’s student respondendents are Megan Marie Palmer, a Muskogee native graduating with an Associate in Applied Science from the School of Culinary Arts and George Inekiengha Eben-Spiff, an international student from Nigeria, graduating with an Associate in Applied Science from the ProTech program in Automotive Technologies.
“All of the graduation committee’s hard work is worth it after those named are called one by one,” Force said. “After each ceremony, I try to take time to look at the crowd and see the families who are gathered with their graduates and see the incredible happiness and joy they are experiencing.”

Early voting for run-off

election begins Thursday
Early in-person voting for the Democrat Primary Run-Off Election, City of Beggs and City of Morris Special Elections begins this Thursday.
Voters may cast their ballots in the Election Board office, Okmulgee County Courthouse, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. on Thursday, August 21, 2014 and Friday, August 22, 2014.
Additionally, voters will have one extra day to vote early on Saturday, August 23, 2014 between 9:00am to 2:00pm.  
As a reminder, other than Democrats or residents of Beggs and Morris of all party affiliations, Republicans and Independents elsewhere in the county will have no ballot to vote this election, said County Election Board Secretary Ava Ridgeway.
Locally, voters will decide in a run-off election between Mike Hubbell and Ron Ballard for the Democratic nomination for County Commissioner District No. 1.
In the State Senate District 8 run-off, Selina Jayne-Dornan of Eufaula will face Gary L. Clason of Henryetta.
Beggs voters will be casting ballots in the Municipal Race for Mayor. Kathryn Bell, O.G. Corky Thompson and Burton Jones are all vying for that post.
In Morris, residents will vote on the 25-year non-exclusive francise with Public Service Company of Oklahoma to continue PSO’s efforts to provide electricity to customers in the city limits of Morris. This is a standard agreement that utility companies sign with municipalities across the state of Oklahoma.

Obituaries

FRANKIE WILMA DEAN MOATS
Frankie Moats of Wagoner, Oklahoma passed this life on Monday, August 18, 2014 in Tulsa, at the age of 82.  She was born in Okemah, Oklahoma on November 11, 1931 to Lora (Hendrix) Harelson and Charles Harelson.  She received her early education in Schulter, Oklahoma.  Frankie met and married the love of her life Hollis Raymond Moats after  his military service .  They were married on January 27, 1951 in Van Buren, Arkansas.  They resided in Okmulgee area until 1980 and then moved to Morris, Oklahoma.  Hollis preceded her in death in 1995 along with an infant brother, Richard and one brother Elmer and sister Virginia Kanada.  She has also lived in the Okmulgee area, and was active in her church as a organist and pianist.  Frankie moved to Wagoner 2008 and she attended the Church Of God Of Prophecy in Wagoner. Frankie was an avid book reader,  she enjoyed studying Revelations and reading her Bible.   She definitely enjoyed traveling and had been to Israel eight times.  She was a loving mother , sister and grandma, that  will be missed.
 Frankie is survived by her three daughters; Anita Riley  and her husband George of Dewar, OK, Deanna Post and Angela Day and Wesley Shearrer all of Wagoner, Oklahoma, two brothers; Charles Harelson of Okemah and James Harelson and his wife Irene of Broken Arrow, seven grandchildren: Heather, Justus, Jeremiah, Matthew, Meagan, Stormi and Taegan, one great-grandson Neo, step grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.
Services will be  held at 1:00 P.M., Friday, August 22, 2014 at the Shipman Funeral Home Chapel with burial   at the Morris Cemetery in Morris, Oklahoma, under the direction of Shipman Funeral Home & Crematory, Wagoner, OK.

Elizabeth Thompson Pitchford
Elizabeth Thompson Pitchford, former resident of Okmulgee, died August 15, 2014, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  Elizabeth was born April 23, 1918, the third daughter born to Robert D. and Martha C. Thompson, Okmulgee oil pioneers.  She graduated from Okmulgee High School and William Woods College, Fulton, Missouri.
 In 1938 she married Harry Duval Pitchford, Jr., who became an U.S. Army Career officer in the Judge Advocate General Corp, the legal branch of the service.  She was a military wife and with her husband and three sons lived in Europe, Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma.  She and her husband retired in Lawton in 1970.  Her husband Colonel (Ret) Harry Duval Pitchford preceded Elizabeth in death in 1998. She was also preceded in death by her son, Dr. Patrick R. (Pat) Pitchford in 2012.
 In 2005 Elizabeth moved to Oklahoma City to make her home.   She was a life time member of the First Christian Church and 64 year member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood.
Survivors include:   two sons, Harry D. Pitchford, III, of Lawton and Dr. John H. Pitchford (Colonel USA Ret) and his wife, Holly, of Plano, TX and daughter-in-law Mrs. Patrick R. (Marcie) Pitchford of Tulsa, OK.  
Elizabeth is survived by six grandchildren: Robert D. Pitchford and his wife Kim of Broken Arrow, OK; Susan P. Knarr and her husband Richard of Tyler, TX; Scott C. Pitchford and his wife Laura of Tulsa, OK; Lauren E. Hutson of Broken Arrow, OK; Heather A. Smith and her husband Eric of Allen, TX and David Alan Pitchford and his wife Alyson of Plano, TX., and ten great grandchildren.
She is survived by her sister, Mary Ann Allen of Oklahoma City, OK, and her sister-in-law, Juanita Thompson of Okmulgee, OK and numerous nieces and nephews.
Elizabeth’s ashes will be buried with her husband in a private service at Okmulgee Cemetery.

STUART “BRENT” PARKER
Stuart “Brent” Parker, 59,  passed away August 13, 2014 in St. Louis, MO. A service to Celebrate Brent’s Life will be held at the Springdale  (Arkansas) Cross Church Chapel on Friday, August 22, 2014 at 10:00 a.m., with Toppy Owens officiating.  A graveside service will follow at the Okmulgee Cemetery in Okmulgee, Oklahoma the same day at 4:00 p.m., Stephen Hopkins officiating.  Services will be directed by Jason Winters of McClendon-Winters Funeral Home of Okmulgee.   Condolences can be sent to the family at RememberingBrentParker@gmail.com and given online at www.mcclendon-winters.com/obituaries/Brent-Parker.  Arrangements are under the direction of the McClendon-Winters Funeral Home of Okmulgee. 918.756.1677

OLIVIA JEAN PERRYMAN
Olivia Jean Perryman died at home on August 16, 2014 at 75 years of age.  Olivia was born in Longview, Texas on October 20, 1938 to Floyd Otto and Emma Jean (Collins) Ganus.  Shortly after graduation from high school, she won a 4-H personality contest.   Because of this, Southwestern Bell Telephone Company called her and offering her a job.  On June 21, 1967, in Seminole, Oklahoma, she married the late Johnnie Willard Perryman.  She enjoyed her cup of coffee and was a great Thunder Basketball fan.  Olivia was an avid reader until her eyes wouldn’t allow and she became an avid listener of books.  The love of her life was her family and grandchildren.
    Olivia was preceded in death by her parents, husband and a grandson Tyler Lee Hurst.  She is survived by her four children: Gary Lee Hurst and wife Crystal of Luther, Phyllis Lynn Wells and husband Dennis of Schulter, Kathy Dawn Arnold and husband Jim of Okmulgee and John Burk Perryman and wife Regina of Okmulgee,  three grandchildren: Curtis Lee Hurst, Randall Burk Perryman and Olivia Marie Perryman, two sisters: Roberta Lee Ganus and Linda Susan Rice, sister-in-law, Jamie Goostree,  sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Ron and Nancy Perryman and Don and Pat Perryman and close family friend Dottie Tabor.
    A funeral service will be on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. at the McClendon-Winters Funeral Home Chapel in Okmulgee.  A private interment will follow at the Morris Cemetery.  Friends may see Olivia at the funeral home on Tuesday from 12:00 – 8:00 P.M.  Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on Olivia’s tribute page at www.mcclendon-winters.com

 Peggy Jean (Strain) Cline
Funeral services for Peggy Jean (Strine) Cline were held on Tuesday, August 19, 2014 at 2:00 PM at the Parks Brothers Funeral Home Chapel in Okemah.  Interment followed at the Highland Cemetery in Okemah.
Peggy Jean (Strain) Cline was born July 11, 1933 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma to Odie Strain and Gladys (Megginson) Strain.  She passed away at her home northeast of Okemah on August 16, 2014 at the age of 81.
Peggy attended Okemah schools and was a proud Okemah Panther graduate in the class of 1951.  She married William E. Cline on October 11, 1952; he preceded her in death March 16, 2005.  To this union two children were born.  William E. (Bill) Cline, Jr. and Diana Beth (Cline) Bowen.  Peggy spent over 30 years working at the Okfuskee County Courthouse in Okemah.  She worked in various capacities but mainly in the Treasurer’s office and the County Assessor’s office.  After retiring in 2004; she went back to work as the County Commissioner’s Secretary.  She treasured her many dear friends at the courthouse.
Peggy was a faithful Weleetka Outlaw and Mounds Eagles fan and attended hundreds of sporting events and other activities not only for Bill Jr. and Diana but all of her grandchildren.  She was their biggest fan.  She passed on her love of reading to her children by spending hours as the Okemah Library when we were young.  This love of reading is shared with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Peggy was a member of the St. Paul’s United Methodist Church since a young child.  She was also a member of Sunrise Extension Homemaker’s Club for over 25 years and enjoyed the tours, club meeting and trips they took together.  She also loved playing Bunco after she retired and had many dear friends in this group.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Odie and Gladys Strain; her husband William E. Cline; her sister, Charlene Patrick; her brother, Odie “Bubber” Strain; her brother in law, Doyal Miller and sister in law Wanda Cline and two great-grandsons, Huck and Case Bahling.
Survivors her children, Bill Cline, Jr. and wife Leresa of Mounds and Diana Bowen and husband Kelly of Weleetka; five grandchildren, Hillary Diane (Cline) Bahling and husband Hadley of Beggs, Ashley Marie (Cline) Roberts and husband Tony of Skiatook, Clara Elizabeth Bowen of Oklahoma City, Kelsey Beth Bowen of Oklahoma City and Tanner Frost Bowen of Edmond; three great-grandsons, Cord Bahling, Ryder Roberts and Emmett Cunningham; two sisters in law, Iva Jean Miller of Okmulgee and Betty Strain of Sinton, Texas and one brother in law, Max Cline of Henryetta.
Serving as active pallbearers were Hadley Bahling, Tony Roberts, Tanner Bowen, Buck Crum, Jeff Souders and Jay Rouk.
Honorary bearers included Eugene Cheatwood, Kenny Walker, Jerry Crum, Max Henry, Terry Patrick, Bill Beasley, Mike Smith and Ed Cooper.
Services will be under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Home, Okemah and officiated by Bro. Kelly Bowen and assisted by David McCoy.
Online condolences may be made at  www.ParksBrothersFuneralHome.com.