|
Dear members:
Some time ago, three members of the 1889ERS Society Board of Directors
met with Dr. Bob Blackburn, Executive Director of the Oklahoma
Historical Society and Dan Provo who is in charge of the museum at the
Oklahoma History Center. They presented plans for expanding the Land
Run Exhibit and asked for our help on this project.
At the 1889Ers Society business meeting in December members voted to
donate $10,000. to the Oklahoma Historical Society to aid them in this
endeavor. Following is their response:
June C. Stone
"We have received the 1889ers Society check in the amount of
$10,000.00. We understand that this contribution is to support the
expansion and enhancement of the Land Run Exhibit at the Oklahoma
History Center. On behalf of Bob Blackburn and the officers, directors,
and staff of the Oklahoma Historical Society, I want to thank you and
all the members of the 1889ers Society for this generous donation.
Because you will not be receiving and tangible goods or services in
recognition of this donation, it should be fully tax deductible to the
extent allowed by law. You will be listed on our next Annual Donor
Board at the Oklahoma History
Center starting next July, for one year.
Again, please know that we are most grateful for your organization's
remarkable efforts to preserve the history and legacy of the Land Run
of 1889 and for your strong support of the Oklahoma History Center and
the Oklahoma Historical Society.
Sincerely,
Paul Lambert
Membership & Development Director"
|
|
|
Dickse was a great friiend to all of us, always supporting The 1889ers Society. We will miss her daily. Here is what was published in The Daily Oklahoman:
 Dickse Anne Williams Graham was born on December 2, 1930 in Oklahoma City. She died peacefully in her sleep after a valiant battle with lung cancer.
Preceded in death by husband Leroy Graham in 2009, mother Fleda Williams, father Dick "Richie" Williams, Aunt Vera "Sis" Green, Aunt Grace Vawter and Uncle Billy Tidwell. She is survived by her sons Bobby Graham, Dr. John Graham and wife Dr. Nancy Griffin of Texarkana, Texas; daughter Susan Bandy and husband Bill of Dallas, TX; grandchildren Jennifer Graham, Lauren Graham, Lisa Graham, Meryn Bandy Shannon and Husband Jonathan, Kendra Bandy Harmon and husband Braden, Amy Graham, Amanda Graham, and Michael Graham.
She graduated in 1948 from Central High School in OKC and was a member of the "Red Skirts". She attended the Oklahoma College for Women in Chickasha, OK until her marriage to Joe Bob O'Neal in 1949. Their son, Bobby, was born in Feb. of 1951. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority for working women. After her divorce she worked mainly as an executive secretary in the oil field industry and met Leroy while working at Schlumberger. They married April 16, 1960. They lived in Cushing, Woodward, Richardson, TX, Gulf Shores, AL, and Birmingham, AL due to Leroy's job demands, returning to OKC after Leroy retired.
Dickse worked throughout her married life as an executive secretary and even owned and operated 2 businesses in Gulf Shores, AL which was a restaurant on the beach and a clothing store. Dickse was a member of The Lions Club, The 1889'ers where she held the position of Vice President, The Alzheimer's Association , The American Cancer Society , The Christmas Connection. Dickse worked with neighbor Ann Wilson in her interior design business, and spoke often of the joy she got from this. A special thanks goes out to her neighbor Ann Wilson for her loving care and compassion to Dickse the past 22 years, and especially her caring during the last days of Dickse's life. There could not be a greater friend.
Dickse was a generous woman who loved her family and who welcomed any person in need to her home and her heart. For 20 yrs. she helped care for 2 handicapped children, Chris and Beth. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to The Meadows Center for Opportunity. It is the only sheltered workshop for handicapped adults in Oklahoma. Their address is: 1000 S. Kelly Ave., Edmond, OK 73003. Viewing was be Friday January 22, 2010 at Demuth Funeral Home from 8 A.M. to 6 P.M. and Saturday January 23 from 9 A.M. to 10 A.M. Services were be Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 10 A.M. at Demuth Funeral Home with interment at Rose Hill Burial Park.
|
|
|
|
Despite the cool weather, football games & homecomings...
it was a beautiful sunny day and a super picnic.
Of course we had brisket, chicken, slaw, mashed 'taters & gravy, and cakes, but we also had "Shiloh", the barbershop quartet from the Oklahoma City Chorale society.
|
|
Click Here to Read more...
|
|
|
To 1889ERS: I received this message from Cher Golding and thought there might be someone in our organization who could help out. I spent a day in April helping with the kids. Yes, I was tired but it was fun. Sincerely, June C. Stone
President, The 1889ers Society Here is the letter from Cher Golding Dear Harn Friends,
We have so much going on at the Harn Homestead this June and could really use assistance with welcoming visitors, answering the phones, and assisting with tours of the Harn House June 10-19 from 10 am – 1pm.
Leslie Creason had surgery last week and will be out of the office all next week. Randy Burghart will be on vacation June 10-19. Also, Melessa Gregg has given notice. She is expecting her fifth child and will be taking time off until next Spring to raise her new baby.
Several day cares are bringing between 65-100 children these days. Sha and I will be busy conducting the educational programs and fear that our tours will suffer without additional help. If you can’t assist us, please pass this along to your friends/family/co-workers.
Thank you.
Cher L. Golding, Executive Director
Harn Homestead Museum
1721 N. Lincoln Boulevard
Oklahoma City,20OK 73105
Phone: 405-235-4058
Fax: 405-235-4041
www.harnhomestead.com
Open Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 pm
|
|
|
Join us on Saturday 18 April to Celebrate the Run!
Hometown Buffet, 3900 NW 63rd Street
Dinner at 6:00 P.M.
Program at 6:45 P.M.
|
|
|
Successful 2008 Christmas Luncheon!
Noon, Saturday, December 13
Hometown Buffet, NW 63rd & NW Expressway
It was an excellent Christmas Luncheon. Sparsely attended by only 23 members, but some were those we haven't seen in a long time. Unfortunately, the Hometown Buffet double-scheduled our room and we were asked to leave before June McCuiston began her "Christmas Around
the World" presentation.
For business, Trey Bize reported that we are still solvent, and we voted to participate with the Oklahoma City Community Foundation.
With Daphne's Parliamentarian permission, we were able to nominate and elect our new officers for the coming year.
President June
Stone
1st
VP Lucinda
Melton
2nd
VP Bob
Howard
Recording Sec Susan
Bize
Corresponding Sec Dickse Graham
Treasurer Trey
Bize
Historian
Genevieve Slade
Parliamentarian Daphne Van
Nort
Board of Directors: Billie Fogarty, Mike Melton, June McCuiston, Russell
Hayes & Stan Van Nort
Yes, The 1889ers Society is alive, healthy, and active.
We encourage your continued participation.
|
|
 Phillip Roy Ball was born October 19, 1925 to Frank C. and Sara Nee Allen Ball. He attended grade school in the West Point community southwest of Yukon, Oklahoma. He then attended Yukon High School, where he was very active in athletics and drama, graduating in 1943. He enlisted before graduation and was inducted in the U.S. Navy immediately thereafter. He was in the V-12 and NROTC Officers' Training Program and was commissioned in 1945. His service duty included submarine patrol, light cruiser gunnery officer and landing craft. He married his high school sweetheart, Lois Virginia Gramkow, on the day of his commissioning.
Following discharge from the Navy, he returned to the University of South Carolina, where he received B.S., B.A. and M.ED degrees with ODK honor. He played six years of college football counting his time in the service and received All-Conference and All-American recognition while playing. He and Lois had two children, Donna and Keith. The family returned to Oklahoma and Phil began a 15 year career as a high school coach and mathematics teacher. He had very successful teams at Wewoka, Walters, Seminole and Muskogee High Schools. He coached two State Championship football teams, had numerous all-state athletes and many who became college athletes. He was an outstanding advanced math teacher and was twice selected to represent Oklahoma high schools in Summer Math Institutes. In 1964, Phil became the head football coach at Central State College (now University of Central Oklahoma) and coached through the 1976 season. During that time he coached 26 players who made All-American one or more times and three players who were NFL draft choices, as well as three players being later named Distinguished Former Students at UCO. He taught in the Health and Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) Department. Upon retiring from coaching, he completed his Doctoral degree at Oklahoma State University. He taught until his retirement in 1993, specializing in Exercise Physiology and Coaching Preparation.
He was an active church member throughout his life and a member of the Edmond First Methodist Church since 1964. During those years he was a teacher of the Fellowship Class and was at one time President of the Wesley Foundation Board. Phil was a long time member of the Edmond Lions Club and twice was President. He also was active in the Friendship Force and ORCTC travel clubs because he and his wife enjoyed traveling abroad and hosting international visitors to Oklahoma. Other hobbies included bridge, reading and current issues. Coaching honors included being selected to the Oklahoma Coaches Hall of Fame, High School Coach of the Year, and Collegiate Conference Coach of the ,Year. He served as President of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Football Coaches and was a presenter at various coaching clinics. In his teaching field, he served as President of OAHPERD and was selected to its Hall of Honor and served on several Southern District OAHPERD committees. Following retirement he devoted time and energy to volunteer work including the ERMC Hospital Auxiliary, Mobile Meals, Breakfast on Boulevard and the Coffee Creek Riding Academy. He was extremely proud of his and Lois' children and grandchildren and was devoted to this immediate and extended family.
Phil was preceded in death by his beloved wife Lois of 62 years, his father and mother, all his aunts and uncles and brother Dick Ball. He is survived by his daughter, Donna Hirst of Iowa City, IA, son Keith Ball and wife Marti Jourden of Oklahoma City, grandchildren Matthew Hirst and wife Morgan of Austin, TX and Amy Hirst of Iowa City, IA, sister Eileen Belcher and husband Tom of Tulsa, sister, Marjorie Moesel of Oklahoma City, sister, Ruth Harvill of Yukon, sister-in-law, Civilla Ball of Yukon, sister-in-law, Norma Gallien and husband Henry of Mobile, AL, and numerous nephews and nieces. Memorials may be made to the Phil Ball Scholarships UCO Foundation, Edmond Mobile Meals or charity of one's choice. Memorial Services will be held 11:00 AM, on Saturday, November 22, 2008, at Edmond First United Methodist Church of Edmond, 305 E. Hurd Street, Edmond, OK. Services under the direction of Matthews Funeral Home.
Published in The Oklahoman on 11/19/2008
|
|
|
Gepford III, Burton Darnell
Burton Darnell Gepford III, born 1/13/39 in OKC and remaining as a lifelong resident, known as Darnell to his friends and family, passed away 10/18/08 and is now with the Lord.
His Oklahoma heritage began with his great grandfather, William Houser Gepford (who mustered out of the 116th Regiment Illinois Volunteers as a corporal at the end of the Civil War) and great grandmother, Nancy Jane Gepford (Hornbeck), entering Oklahoma during the 1889 Land Run.
Darnell's parents, Burton Darnell Gepford II and Maxine, predeceased him when he was a child, so his grandparents, Ray and Daisy Porter, raised Darnell on their farm in OKC. From a young age, Darnell stood out from the ordinary. He created riding lawnmowers from leftover equipment on the farm, earned his own car as a teenager and decided to be called Darnell since there were too many family members called Burt. Darnell was also independent and a fighter.
Darnell's spirit was constant throughout his life. He could use any material in his chosen carrier of interior design to meet his client's needs. He was also an entrepreneur who created several successful businesses. He was a landlord with 17 commercial and residential rental units and was a leader in interior design in OKC. He was also a furniture designer, an expert appraiser regarding antiques and art, a highly regarded art therapist, and a well respected artist with a unique style and unfortunately a repository of dumb jokes. His entrepreneurial successes were matched by his educational achievements.
After graduating from Harding High School, he attended the Kansas City Art Institute and School of Design, graduating cum laude from UCO with a Bachelor's in Science and a Master's in Education. He also graduated from OU with a Master's in Human Relations. Although his Crohn's prevented him from marketing his work at art festivals, his style was immediately recognized and sold by art dealers. Darnell had a great interest in his family heritage.
He was a member of the First Families of the Twin Territories and a Descendant Member of The 1889ers Society. Darnell is survived by his son, Burton Darnell Gepford IV (Burt) and wife, Patricia, grandson, Burton Darnell Gepford V, granddaughters, Ashley and Aubrey Dawe and 2 great-grandsons. The family will receive guests at the funeral home on Tuesday, 6-8 p.m. Graveside services will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, October 22, 2008, at Rose Hill Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Odyssey House or Crohn's Disease Foundation.
|
|
|
We had our picnic Saturday September 27 at The Harn Homestead and 1889ers Museum ! 
It was a beautiful day and well-attended by menbers and friends. The food was great, and as usual, free for all.
 Our special event during the meeting part of the picnic was the presentation of the first check from The 1889ers Society to the Harn Homestead to assist with scholarships for students.
Many elemenary and middle schools provide field trips to The Harn as part of their Oklahoma history lessons. In these times, there is not always enough money for even the special reduced school entrance fee. Now, there is even less money available for fuel for the school busses.
The 1889ers Society is pleased to be able to help The Harn Homestead and 1889ers Museum with their Oklahoma history efforts.
For more Picnic Pictures, click the "Read More" link below.
|
|
Click Here to Read more...
|
|
|
by Carolyn Leonard
(Carolyn's photo gallery of the Ancestor Fair is here
http://gallery.me.com/carolynleonard#100481)
Oklahoma Genealogical Society and the Oklahoma Historical Society
(OHS) Research Division sponsored the free 2008 Ancestor Fair event on
Saturday August 9. History Center staff at the front desk said that 380
attended the Ancestor Fair and another 220 paid to go to the museum
exhibits.
OGS President Billie Fogarty said she was well pleased with the
enthusiasm shown by the crowd. Festivities began at 10:00 AM and
continued throughout the day. Some forty booths offered displays and
handouts, entertainers provided music, stories, demonstrations of
sculpting and other crafts, a bagpiper led the costume parade of
participants dressed to represent their favorite ancestors. Many others
came just to enjoy the presentations.
A total of 213 photos were judged by the team of professional photographers.
Jim Slade is well-known for his genealogy expertise and has spoken
at many national conferences. He loves photography and has collected
many old photographs and served as chairman of last year’s photo
contest.
Johnnie Sue Olson, Freelance Photographer of
Freedom, h
as seen her photos published on covers of many local state and national
magazines, including Western Horseman, and Reiman publications. She has
photos displayed in the Alabaster Room of the Ford Center and many have
been printed in professional calendars.
Terry Zinn’s photos are often published in national publications
such as Persimmon Hill and Oklahoma Today magazines. He is a research
and photo archivist with the Oklahoma Historical Center, and is
president of the Travelwriters Association.
Arvela Bateman, Print specialist, has been collecting family
genealogy for more than twenty years and has always loved photography
and old photos. William Welge also served as a judge. Welge is Research
Division Director for the Oklahoma History Center.
|
|
|
Home 
