 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
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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.
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Ralph C. Miller, life member, passed away on April 7, 2008 at the age
of 96. He was once a member of the board and a tour guide in the barn
and loved being involved. -
Jerry Lee (Miller) Ventress, daughter
Ralph was often the organizer of our Annual Banquet. He had a great sense of humor and was a loved asset of The 1889ers Society.
Here is what was in The Oklahoman.
| Miller, Ralph
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 Ralph
Charles Miller, age 96, 7/10/1911 - 4/7/2008. Ralph graduated from
Central High School, member of Stuyvesant Fraternity, served in the
U.S. Navy during WWII and later owned M&W Auto Supply in El Reno,
OK. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys E. (Maxson) Miller and
son, Ralph K. Miller and is survived by daughters, Jerry Ventress and
Barbara Smith sons, Charles S. Miller, wife Omega and Richard C.
Miller, wife Sue Ann daughter-in-law, Patricia Miller 11 grandchildren,
13 great-grandchilren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Service will be
at 2 PM Thurs., April 10, 2008, Guardian West Funeral Home, with burial
at Chapel Hll Memorial Gardens, 8701 NW Expwy, OKC, OK.
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Published in The Oklahoman from 4/9/2008 - 4/10/2008. |
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We remember our Members who have passed away. If you know of someone we have missed, please send their information (name, short bio) to
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Charlotte Leach died Saturday, March 22, 2008 after being taken to the hospital that day.
Graveside services will be Thursday, March 27 at 2 P.M. at Memorial Park Cemetery, Memorial Rd. & Kelly.
Charlotte was a long-time member and former president of The 1889ers Society. Born November 29, 1918, she was 89 years old.
Here is what was said in The Oklahoman:
| Leach, Charlotte
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 Charlotte
was born in Sayre, Oklahoma, on November 29, 1918 to Arthur and
Grace Howard Leach. At the age of 8 she moved to Oklahoma City when her
father was appointed to Oklahoma State Supreme Court.
While attending the University of Oklahoma, she was a member Alpha Phi
Sorority and, after graduating from the University of Oklahoma, earned
a Master's in Public Health from the University of Michigan.
In 1941,
she traveled to New York City where she worked with Long Island
teachers to provide health education in the schools, developed
a "health camp for kids" and worked with the local chapter of the New
York Tuberculosis Association.
In 1948, Charlotte was named a
health education consultant with the National Tuberculosis
Association where she developed and implemented workshops for teachers,
nurses and school administrators. Because these
professionals required current information, two week
summer sessions were structured to provide uptodate methods for
teaching health in the schools.
When her father became ill in
1967, Charlotte returned to Oklahoma City to take care of him.
She was employed by the Oklahoma Health Planning Commission for 17
years and retired, but never stopped working. Every other
Monday, Charlotte would work at the First Christian Church in the
preparation of mobile meals. In addition, she served on the
Deaconess Board with the church. One day a week, Charlotte volunteered
her expertise to work with the international students in the graduate
program at the College of Public Health, OU Health Sciences
Center. She was an active member of the Oklahoma
Alliance on Aging, serving on its health and finance
committees, and consistently worked to impact legislation
within Oklahoma to address older adult issues.
She was a member
of the Oklahoma Lung Association of Oklahoma and served as Secretary
for the Oklahoma Nutrition Task Force. She served as President
of the Oklahoma Public Health Association, sat on the governing
counsel of the Oklahoma Public Health Association, was
President of the Society for Health Education and belonged to the
Oklahoma Interagency Task Force for Health Manpower Data.
She was also
past president and lifetime member of the 1889er organization.
She was on the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Health and Welfare
Association and was a member of the Oklahoma City Hospitality
Club, the Altrusa Club and the City Music Association of Oklahoma City.
She was also an active member of the Literacy Council of Oklahoma City
and volunteered her time as a tutor assisting adults learning to read.
Although admitting to a hobby of gardening, she never really
had the time she liked to spend at it. Charlotte was an example of
someone who was not really retired, but redirected her efforts
and continued to contribute her talents and wisdom to society.
Graveside services will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery, on Thursday,
March 27, 2008, at 2:00 p.m.
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Published in The Oklahoman on 3/25/2008. |
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| Beil, Eltrie Eula Snow
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 Eltrie
Eula Snow Beil was born in Cowell, Arkansas on January 25, 1911 and
went to join the Lord and her precious husband of 74 years on February
23, 2008.
Eltrie and her family traveled by covered wagon to Oklahoma
when she was 3 years old. The family later moved to Texas in 1924 and
returned to Oklahoma in 1930. During the depression, Eltrie worked as a
saleslady at Metropolitan chain, one of four variety stores on Main
Street in downtown Oklahoma City. Orus and Eltrie met at a dance class
at Trianon Ballroom and were married on June 24, 1933. Eltrie attended
Hollywood Beauty College and owned and operated several beauty salons
over the next 20 years and worked as an instructor at Paul's Beauty
College for 18 years. Eltrie was the official delegate to the Chicago
National Hairdressers Association (NHCA) in 1946 and was awarded first
prize in the Famous Challenge Trophy Contest. Orus and Eltrie also
owned and operated the Capitol Hill Army Store for several years.
After
retirement, Eltrie spent many years diligently researching genealogy
and was credited with opening a new line in the National Mayflower
Society. She was a member of the DAR, the Mayflower Society, and the
UDC where she held many offices. Eltrie has been active in the
UnitedMethodist Church all her life, serving in numerous capacities.
She especially enjoyed being part of the United Methodist Women's group
and participating in activities with the DMA (Don't Mention Age) group
during her active years.
Eltrie is preceded in death by her mother and
father, Etter R. Sain and Rufus Calvin Snow; her brothers, Robert and
Richard Snow; her sister, Geraldine Adams and her husband Orus
Frederick Beil.
Eltrie leaves behind daughter, Velada June McCuiston of
OKC; son, Fred Beil of Yukon, OK; daughter, Cindy and husband Michael
Melton of Meeker, OK, and Foster son Geary and wife Diane West of OKC.
Grandchildren include Kerry McCuiston, OKC, Laurie Knight, OKC,
Stephanie and husband Van Fuqua of Seiling, OK, Kathy and husband Jerry
Edwards of OKC, Cindy and husband James Lichliter of OKC, Freddie Beil
of Yukon, OK, Dacia and husband Don Kallin of Broken Arrow, OK, Patrick
and wife April Boggs of Shawnee, OK, Michelle Beil, Jonathan Boggs,
Michael Melton, Mark Melton all of OKC, Penny and husband Steve Lyons
of Olathe, KS, Marcus West, Jennifer and husband Kevin Mulanax, Clay
and wife Amy Wilbur, and Kelly and husband Chad Kositzky, all of OKC.
Great-grandchildren include David and wife Sarah Knight and
great-great-granddaughter, Kylie, Starla Knight, Christopher Knight all
of OKC, Brandon and Garrett Stevens of Yukon, OK, Dakota and Montana
Lichliter of OKC, Braden and Reegan Kallin of Broken Arrow, OK, Ryan
Boggs of Shawnee, OK, Megan and Allison Lyons of Olathe, KS, and Cooper
and Campbell Mulanax of OKC. Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wed.,
Feb. 27, 2008, at South Lee United Methodist Church, Oklahoma City,
with Pastors Mike Melton and Claudia Lovelace officiating. Interment to
follow at the Yukon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made
to South Lee United Methodist Church. [from Newsok.com]
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 "Well done thou good and faithful servant!'
Orus Frederick Beil - September 6, 1913 - October 4, 2007
Orus Frederick Beil joined
his heavenly Father on October 4, 2007. He was proud to be the son of
an 1889er, born on the homestead and was still residing on a portion of
the original homestead.
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Click Here to Read more...
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Ruth Clutts passed away on Tuesday, April 10, 2007.
Ruth was a long-time Descendant Member of The 1889ers Society and an officer on the Board of Directors from time to time. Services were April 13th at the Merritt Funeral Home in Bethany.
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We are saddened that Anna Van Nort Perkins, daughter of our Parliamentarian Daphne Van Nort, passed away.
Anna Van Nort Perkins, 51, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, December 8, 2006 after a brave battle with cancer.
She was born to Turner and Daphne (Thompson) Van Nort on February 24, 1955 in Oklahoma City. She was a member of the 1973 graduating class of Putnam City West High School, and furthered her education with a degree in Fashion Merchandising from the University of Oklahoma in 1977. Anna was initiated into the Delta Gamma Sorority in February 1974.
Following her education she worked for Kenney Shoes, Suzy Casuals, Hobby Lobby, and local banks as a teller. Anna was a proficient seamstress, winning many ribbons from the county fairs. She also enjoyed photography and latch hook.
Anna cared for others, giving many gallons of blood through the Oklahoma Blood Institute. She was serving as Vice President of the Oklahoma City AARP chapter. Anna met the love of her life, Timothy Perkins, at the Council Road Baptist Church. After a dating relationship of three years, they were engaged for a year before joining in marriage on August 29, 1994. Timothy and Anna have enjoyed a close and loving relationship, celebrating their twelfth wedding anniversary. They have enjoyed many happy times together at OU ballgames, and taking cruises including Alaska on their tenth anniversary.
Anna has been employed by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Insurance Company for the past nine years as a processing clerk. Anna has been preceded in death by her father, Turner Van Nort. She leaves behind her husband Timothy of the home; her mother Daphne Van Nort; brothers Stanley Van Nort and wife Liz, and Gerald Van Nort and wife Linda; nephews Aaron Van Nort and wife Kristin, and Chris Van Nort; nieces, Stefanie and Brandie Van Nort; one uncle Howard Thompson; her mother and father-in-law Ernie and Wanda Perkins; brother-in law Micah Perkins and wife Trinity and their son Tommy.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Portland Avenue Baptist Church. Funeral services have been entrusted to the Resthaven Funeral Home, 500 Southwest 104th Street where the family will be present for visitation from 6p.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday evening. Funeral services will be held at the Portland Avenue Baptist Church, 1301 North Portland, at 10 a.m. on Tuesday December 12. Interment will follow in the Resthaven Memory Garden Cemetery. RESTHAVEN FUNERAL HOME S.W. 104TH AT WALKER 691-1661
--Published in The Oklahoman on 12/12/2006.
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Our former President, Eve Lauzon, passed away the week of July 5. Services were at the Mercer-Adams Funeral Home on Saturday, July 8 at 10am. Interment was at Sunnylane Cemetery
Eva was valued member and tireless worker of The 1889ERS Society. She had great humor and many innovative ideas, most recently, our beautiful 1889ER Lapel Pins.
We will miss her.
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