Faculty - GHS 1967

Bacon, Herbert

American History, Government, Basketball Coach, Counselor, Sophomore Sponsor, B.S. & M. S. Degrees, 7 yrs exp

Oct 2020, can be found on Facebook. Bio indicates they live in Claremore, OK.

Barker, Nollie - DECEASED

Science, Girls Basketball, 8th Grade Sponsor, B.S. Degree, 33 yrs exp

Miscellaneous Jasper County, Missouri Obituaries 1996

GROVE, Okla. Nollie E. Barker, 87, Grove, died at 1:55 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, 1996, at Grove General Hospital after a long illness.
   Mr. Barker was born April 16, 1909, at Ripley. He was a retired schoolteacher and had taught many years at Ripley. He was a member of the First Christian Church, Grove. He had owned Barker's Edgewater Marina, Grove.
   He married Dessie Patterson on Sept. 31, 1931, at Guthrie. She survives. Also surviving is a son, Tommy Barker, Grove.
   Services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the First Christian Church, Grove. Bob Lyttle and Marvin Tunnell, ministers, will officiate. Burial will be in Fairlawn Cemetery, Cushing.
   Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday at Hinderliter-Woodard Funeral Chapel, Grove.

Burch, Linnie Mae - DECEASED. Memorial on Find A Grave

Commerce, School Paper, Annual, B.S. Degree, 27 yrs exp

Campbell, Charles

Music, B.M.E. Degree, 1 yr exp

From the September 1966 Ridgerunner:

"Mr. Charles Campbell
   Mr. Charles Campbell teaches both grade and high school music. This is his first year of teaching and he is doing a wonderful job according to his students.
   He grew up in Miami, Oklahoma, and attended high school there. Then he attended college at Oklahoma Baptist University, where he received his Bachelor of Music Degree. While he was there, he was a member of the quartet known as the "Fallen angels" that toured Europe and entertained -- the service men abroad.
   He and his wife Sharon and his new born son, Charles Wynn, live at 1105 South Hazel. Mr. Campbell is also the Choir Director at the Baptist Church."

Davis, Norma

Speech, English, Senior Sponsor (Asst.), B.S. Degree, 2 yrs exp

Norma was born on December 16, 1933 and passed away on Saturday, November 21, 2015. Norma was a resident of Bixby, Oklahoma at the time of her passing.

(I'm unsure above is our Norma Davis.
Find-A-Grave Memorial
- Ed.)

DuBois, Everett - DECEASED

Find-A-Grave Memorial #: 119104008

Bookkeeping, History, Junior Sponsor, B.S. & M.S. Degree, 33 yrs exp

Miscellaneous Jasper County, Missouri Obituaries

GROVE, Okla. - Everett W. DuBois, 83, Grove, died at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 8, 1997, at a Grove nursing home after an illness. Mr. DuBois was born Dec. 27, 1913, in the rural Grove area. He was graduated from Grove High School in 1932. He received bachelor of science and master of science degrees from Northeastern State Teachers College, Tahlequah.
   He began his teaching career in 1932 in the Grove area at Oak Grove School and taught lower elementary grades. He was an educator and principal for 43 years. He retired from teaching in 1976. He also farmed and ranched on Cowskin Prairie, east of Grove.
   He was raised in the Church of Christ and was a Sunday school teacher for many years. He was a member of Carr Baptist Church, east of Grove, Delaware County Historical Society, Retired Teacher's Association, National Education Association and Oklahoma Education Association. He was a 4-H leader for more than 25 years and earned Diamond and Emerald Clover awards.
   He married Jessie Cooper on April 1, 1934, at Jay. She survives. Additional survivors include two sons, Tim DuBois, Nashville, Tenn., and Randy DuBois, Grove; four sisters, Nola Caswell and Ruby Bell, both of Jay, Margie Willard, West Plains, Mo., and Nadine Phillips, Manford; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
   Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church, Grove. The Rev. Gary Bishop and the Rev. Elton Garrison will officiate. Burial will be in Olympus Cemetery, Grove. Visitation will be at 7 p.m. today at Worley-Luginbuel Funeral Home, Grove.
   Contributions may be made to the Grove General Hospital Foundation or to Carr Baptist Church, both of Grove.

Farrell, Alvin S. - DECEASED. Memorial on Find-A-Grave.

Superintendent

From the 1967 Annual, pg 8:
"A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
TRAVEL THROUGH '67
   Travel for any reason necessitates, to some degree, adequate preparation, whether it be travel for pleasure, a business trip, emergency, changing residence, or in this instance, a journey down the highway of education.
   Plans for this trip may include, among other things, selection of a precise destination, the initiative to see that satisfactory preparations are made, the punctuality of meeting a schedule so as to arrive on time, willingness to accept the responsibilities of the journey and the rewards for having reached your destination.
   May you look upon this '67 mile in your educational journey as one of continued achievements in Friendship, Leadership, Sportsmanship and Scholarship. Look not at this trip as a race to see who arrives first, but as an opportunity; for each of you to arrive with as much appreciation and knowledge as his capabilities will permit."

Birth: May 19, 1921
Wilburton, Latimer County, Oklahoma
Death: Aug. 27, 2007
McAlester, Pittsburg County, Oklahoma

Born in Wilburton, Oklahoma, he was the son of Lonnie and Hallie (Cowan) Farrell. He served in the United States Navy Air Corp as Petty Officer 2nd Class during World War II. He was basketball coach and principal in Canadian in 1947 and later superintendent at Konawa and Grove. He later became a salesman with Garrett Education for 25 years before retiring in 1985. He was a 50 year Mason and a member of the Lion's Club and served on the Board of Directors for the OSSAA. He was a member of the Northtown Church of Christ. He enjoyed all sports, fishing, golf and bird watching. Al was a quiet, eloquent man that will be missed by his family and friends.
Survivors include his wife, Marjory Farrell, of the home; one son and daughter-in-law, Brad and Melody Farrell, of Norman; three grandchildren, Jeffrey Farrell Price, of Tecumseh, Jon Matthew Price, Port Arthur, Texas, and Crystal Rhea Farrell, of Norman. Also, two sisters-in-law, Jewell Salon, of Haileyville, and Joyce Ward, of Haileyville, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be three generations of nephews, Logan Satterfield, Mike Dixon, Jimmy Dixon, Mark Davidson, Jeff Davidson and Stephen Matney. Honorary pallbearers will be Northtown Church of Christ elders, deacons, and Don Brewer and Harry Lay.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Pamela Dee Allen; infant son; one sister, and one brother. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Brumley-Mills Chapel with Kevin Kasparek officiating. Burial will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Brumley-Mills Funeral Home of McAlester.

Gourd, Ellen - DECEASED. Find-A-Grave Memorial

Librarian, Senior English, Sophomore Sponsor, B.S. & M.S. Degree, 5 yrs exp

Ellen Mae Gourd, age 87 passed away Saturday, February 20, 2021 at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa. She is now at peace.
Ellen was born on December 7, 1933 in Checotah, Oklahoma to John William Hagan and Essie Mae (Horton) Hagen. She graduated in 1951 from Pierce High School in Pierce, Oklahoma. On December 22nd of that year, Ellen was united in marriage to Sequoyah J. Gourd in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Together they shared over twenty-one years before his passing on June 26, 1973.
Ellen attended Northeastern State University, where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1962 followed by a Master’s Degree in Education in 1963. Ellen embarked upon a career as a teacher and a librarian that spanned 27 years and several school districts. She retired in 1989, leaving behind generations of grateful students and readers.
Ellen’s love of learning and reading were not limited to the classroom or library; she enjoyed reading everything from scripture to contemporary fiction, and always had book on her bedside table. However, Ellen’s true love in life was her family. She treasured her time spent with loved ones, especially the time that they shared at Grand Lake. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Ellen was preceded in death by her father John William Hagan, mother Essie Mae (Horton) Hagen, son Phillip Gourd, son John Gourd, and her siblings, John Hagan Jr., William Hagan, Carl Hagan, Bert Hagan, and Betty Waller. She is survived by her son Mark Gourd, granddaughter Shannon Gourd Simcoe (Steven), sister Georgia Connaughton, daughter-in-law Joy Gourd, step-grandsons Ricky Davis (Melissa) and John Cellner (Ashly), step-great-grandchildren Jessica Davis, Morgan Davis, and Nichole Davis, and a dozen beloved nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, February 26, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Tahlequah City Cemetery, with Pastor Randy Wilson officiating. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Parker Mortuary of Joplin, Missouri. In lieu flowers, spend that money on a good book.

Gourd, Sequoyah - DECEASED Memorial on Find-A-Grave

English, History, Sophomore Sponsor, B.A. & M.S. Degree, 16 yrs exp

From the September 1966 Ridgerunner:

"Sequoyah J. Gourd
Mr. Gourd teaches 7th and 8th grade English, and Sr. High World History. He was born in Miami, Oklahoma, went to High School at Tahlequah, and went to college at Northeastern State and Okla. State University. He majored in SOcial Studies and Business Ed. and has a B.A. and M.S. degrees. He says Grove is "the best." Besides teaching, he is a sponsor of the Sophomore class and in his spare time he likes fishing, hunting and golfing.

DIed Jun 23, 1973. Burial: Tahlequah_Cemetery, Tahlequah, Cherokee County

Grimmett, Ed

Industrial Arts, Drivers Training, Junior Sponsor, B.S. & M.S. Degrees, 12 yrs exp

Aug 31, 2024
ED and Ramona Grimmett taught generations of Grove Students "how to drive and how to type"
Ed and Ramona Grimmett taught generations of Grove students "how to drive and how to type"

Hampton, Rozella - DECEASED Memorial on Find-A-Grave

Math, Latin, French, Student Council Sponsor, B.S. Degree, 34 yrs exp

Wichita, Kansas, Eagle - October 2, 1972

GROVE, Okla. - Services for Dale Hampton, 72, and his wife, Rozella K., 68, will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Grove Methodist Church. They were killed Friday in a two-car accident three miles northeast of Caney, Kan., on U.S. 166. They are survived by three sons, Don H., Pawhuska, Okla., Dale L., Tripoli, Libia, and Charles, South Haven, Kan., and two daughters, Mrs. Wesley (Emmajene) Gulley, Hereford, Tex., and Mrs. A. J. (Ester) Reed, Wichita. Hampton is survived by two brothers, W. F. Jay, Okla., and John, Zena, Okla., and three sisters, Mrs. Myrtle Jordan, Jay, Mrs. Katie Combs, Salina, Kan., and Mrs. Betty Evans, Rochester, Minn. Mrs. Hampton is survived by a brother, Louis Kropp, Arlington, Tex., and two sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Kropp, Grove, and Mrs. Nell Crook, Giliette, Wyo. Worley Funeral Home has charge.

Hubbard, Avis

Guidance Counselor, Remedial Reading, M.S. Degree, 17 yrs exp

Huggins, Charles - DECEASED Memorial on Find-A-Grave

7th Grade Sponsor, Mathematics, B.S. Degree, 2 yrs exp

CHARLES EUGENE HUGGINS
1943-2006

GROVE, Okla. - Charles Eugene Huggins passed away peacefully in his sleep early Sunday morning, November 12, 2006 at age 63.
     Charles, or Charlie, as he was known to his friends and family was born on February 19, 1943 in Fairland, Okla. Charles went to meet our Lord God in heaven after battling a long time struggle with diabetes, stroke, and heart congestion. The past two months he had been under medical care at hospitals in Tulsa and most recently at Grand Lake Villa in Grove. He will be missed by his community, friends and family.
     Charles’s death was preceded by his mother Alice Ruth Huffaker in 2005, his brother Edgar LeRoy Huggins in 2000, and his father Edgar Joe Huggins in 1966.
     As the second of three brothers, Charles leaves behind his youngest brother Mickey Joe Huggins of Hickory Grove. Charles precedes his infant son’s death, Charles Huggins Jr., in 1976.
     Charles is survived by three loving children: Kathy Huggins age 14 of Broken Arrow, Michael Huggins age 28 and his wife Stephanie of Grove, Heather Nelson age 33 and her husband Johnny of Oklahoma City; one adopted daughter and two biological children. He loved them all very dearly. Charles had one grandchild, Kabe Huggins age 2 of Grove who was PaPa’s Mr. Fix-it.
     Charles was so proud of his children. Kathy is an aspiring young individual who spent days at the movies and parks with her dad playing and laughing. Kathy is still young but will surely show her father what an outstanding woman she will become. Michael follows in his father’s footsteps as a teacher. Charles inspired Michael to finish his Masters degree in education and continue the Huggins teaching legacy that has blessed the family for generations. Heather is a professional musician who travels the Midwestern U.S. performing her talents to all audiences. Heather’s special gift was the topic of many conversations when Charles would brag about his wonderful children.
     Charles spent his childhood in Grove and surrounding communities. After high school he completed bachelors and masters degrees in mathematics. After college, Charles served several years as a Navy Officer on a war ship during Vietnam. His devotion for his country was obvious as he expressed his military pride years after leaving the Navy to follow his dreams teaching. Charles married Linda Lowry in 1968. They were married for 18 years and together had two wonderful children. They lived all across the U.S. but most prominently in Oklahoma after the Navy tour. In 1991 Charles married Nancy Anderson and together they parented many children from torn families in their foster parent home where they loved and supported dozens of children throughout many years. Charles and Nancy fell in love with one of the children and in 1998 Kathy Huggins became their adopted daughter. Charles worked most of his life as a school teacher in math, computers and CNC machining. He taught at high schools and vocational schools across the state until his retirement three years ago.
     Recently Charles finished a published book titled Anything but Merrily, Episodes of Charlie Growing Up Country. He worked on writing the 256-page book for over a year finally getting it published just months ago. The book is a storybook style collection of events, as recalled by Charlie, as he grew up and experienced many life adventures.
     The family would like to invite acquaintances, friends and family to visitation services at Worley Funeral Home in Grove Tuesday, November 14 from 6-8pm.
     Funeral Services for Charles Huggins will be Wednesday, November 15, at 10 a.m. at the Hickory Grove Church Northwest of Grove. Funeral procession will follow the service to burial at the Fairland Cemetery. Flowers may be sent to the funeral home.

Landon, J. E.

Industrial Arts, Football, 7th Grade Sponsor, B.S. Degree, 15 yrs exp

Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame

Nicks, Edna - DECEASED Memorial on Find-A-Grave

Social Studies, 4-H Sponsor, B.S. Degree, 19 yrs exp

Died Jan. 25, 2000
Burial: Fairland Cemetery, Fairland, Ottawa County

Price, John

Freshman Sponsor, Math, B.S. Degree, 1 yr exp

From the September 1966 Ridgerunner:

"Jon Clark Price
Mr. Price teaches a variety of subjects, such as: Algebra I, Composite math, High School Arithmetic, and 7th Grade Science. He was born in Jay and also attended High School there. He majored in Chemistry at Northeastern, State. He spends some of his time listening to records and playing a guitar. When asked if he liked Grove, he said, "Yes." When asked who he would root for at the Jay, Grove football game, there was no comment."

Pritchard, John - DECEASED

High School Principal, A.B. & M. of Ed., 21 yrs exp

From the 1967 Annual, pg 9:

"Mr. John Pritchard, Our Senior High Principal, is asked many questions. Friendly and practical he deals with all - from wide-eyed sophomores - to worldy-wise seniors. He can usually be found helping someone with his schedule or some other problem. Through his active interest in every problem, he keeps the respect and admiration of every student."

Tulsa, Oklahoma, Daily World (OK) - July 20, 1994
John Mark Pritchard, 78, retired Grove High School principal, died Tuesday. Services 2 p.m. Friday, First Baptist Church. Sherman-Schrag.

Roe, James - DECEASED Memorial on Find-A-Grave

Junior High Principal, Senior Sponsor, Grade & High School Band, B.A. Degree, 16 yrs exp

From the 1967 Annual, pg 9:

"Mr. James Roe, Junior High Principal, handles many daily problems. that may arise.
The manner in which Mr. Roe conducts all his affairs shows that he is a man of orderliness and precision. Besides solving many of the problems of the students, he still does a fine job as band director."

Shero, John

F.F.A. & Senior Sponsor (Asst.), Voc. Agriculture, B.S. in Agricultural Education, 10 yrs exp

John G. Shero Jr. High School

Longtime Educator Sworn In As Eastern Regent
(Press Release 8-23-04)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

Willburton community leader and retired Willburton superintendent, John Shero, was sworn in by Judge Stephen Taylor from McAlester as the newest member of the Eastern Oklahoma State College Board of Regents during their regularly scheduled meeting Friday morning.
     Shero was named by Gov. Brad Henry to fill the unexpired term on the Eastern Oklahoma State College Board of Regents left by the resignation of 18-year member and Chairperson Georgia Tate.
     The appointment is yet to be confirmed by the State Senate since the body is not in session. Confirmation and appointment to an additional 7 year term is expected when the Legislature convenes in the spring according to Eastern President Dr. Richard Bernard.
     Eastern regents are recommended by the local senator to the Governor who makes the appointment subject to confirmation by the state senate.
     Shero joins other board members Randell Ward; Board Chairman Dale Covington and Mark Jordan from McAlester and Mike Bailey, Durant; Burl Williams, Stigler; and Board Secretary Ken Bass, Willburton.
     Shero has been a member of the community since he “joined the Center Point Elementary second grade class in 1937 when my parents moved to the Willburton area,” he said.
     Shero has been a community leader most of his life and his retirement years have been no exception.
     “I planned my retirement early – four years before I actually retired,” he said. “But it’s hard to say no when someone asks you to help,” he says.
     “One of the first projects when I retired was the Willburton library.”
     He led a drive to finance and construct a $500,000, 10,000-square-foot Willburton public library building immediately following retirement and is still an active community leader.
     He remains an active member of the Willburton Lions Club, is a past president of the organization and serves as activities treasurer. He is a past president of the Willburton Chamber of Commerce; President of the Latimer County Farm Bureau; President of the Latimer County Retired Teachers Association; Chairman of the Center Point Cemetery Association; Chairman of Center Point Community Center and past chairman of the South East District Library System.
     Born in Paden, OK, he is a 1948 Willburton High School graduate and attended Eastern in 1948-1949. His National Guard unit was activated during the Korean War and served from 1950 through 1952 with one year served in Germany, he said.
     “Following that,” he said, “ I worked in an aircraft factory in Wichita, KA, for about a year and returned to Eastern and graduated in the spring of ’55.”
     He then attended Oklahoma State University and graduated with an agriculture education degree in ’57 followed by a master’s from OSU in 1968. He received his administrator’s certificate from Oklahoma University in 1974 and his superintendent’s certificate in 1981.
     Shero taught in Konawa and Grove public schools and went to Maud as high school principal in 1969. He returned to Willburton as junior high principal in 1974 and became superintendent in 1981. He retired from Willburton public school system as superintendent in 1991.
     He and his wife of 49 years, Pauline, have 4 children and they are active members of the Willburton First United Methodist Church.

Caption info:

Judge Stephen Tayler from McAlester, left, swears in Eastern Oklahoma State College's newest Board of Regents Member John Shero during the group's regularly scheduled meeting Friday morning. Also pictured is Board Chairperson and McAlester Mayor Dale Covington and Eastern President Dr. Richard Bernard.

Sparkman, John - DECEASED Memorial on Honoring Memories

Freshman Sponsor, Science and Chemistry, B.S. Degree, 15 yrs exp

John McConnell Sparkman, 97, of Grove, OK, passed away on December 17, 2021, at his home with his children at his side. John was born on June 20, 1924, in Springdale, Arkansas to Wiley and Norena “Ducee” Brown Sparkman.
He graduated from Grove High School in 1942. Following graduation, John served his country at a U.S. Navy pilot. Following his discharge from the Navy, John completed his education at Northeastern State University at Tahlequah.
He began his teaching career at Wyandotte, OK, and from there he next taught and coached at Jay, OK, for several years. He then taught at Riverton, KS prior to moving back to his hometown of Grove, OK where he taught and coached until his retirement. John supplemented his teaching income by raising cattle, game roosters, and quail on the family farm east of Grove.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Wiley and Norena “Ducee” Brown Sparkman; his brother H.S. “Sparky” Sparkman; and his sisters, Betty Trim and Charlotte Bortz.
His is survived by his children from his marriage to Ruth Hilton Sparkman: son John Wiley Sparkman; daughter Becky Norene Sparkman; stepson Andy Lee Hilton and his wife Carol; stepdaughter Debbie Sue Littlefield and her husband, Jim. Other survivors include grandchildren Angie Dixon, Scotty Joe Hilton, Andy Lee Hilton, Jr., Sean Hilton, Ronnie Hilton, Shannon Sergeant, Robin Ortiz, and Shane Littlefield; sister-in-law Donna Gibbs Crawford and her husband Mel; numerous great grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces.
John was a remarkable man. Students who were taught by him remember well his disciplinary style. John would tolerate no misbehavior in his classes and his methods of correcting classroom antics are the topic of conversations at Jay and Grove class reunions to this day.
John tried very hard to re-populate Delaware County with quail and raised and released many coveys over the years.
He was passionate about exercise and frequented the local gym three times a week with his daughter Becky. At 90 years of age, he was extremely proud he could bench press 90 pounds.
John, Johnny, and Becky preferred to eat out and could frequently be seen enjoying a meal at various restaurants around town.
After his teaching years were behind him, John gained quite a reputation for being an accomplished dancer and could be found “boot scooting” somewhere almost every Saturday night.
John remained friends with his ex-wife Ruth, the mother of his children, and they both enjoyed many family holiday meals cooked by his stepdaughter and her husband Debbie and Jim Littlefield. John especially enjoyed Debbie’s Italian green beans and raisin pie.
John stressed that he did not want a memorial service of any kind, and his children are honoring his request. They ask instead that all of his family, friends and former students take a moment to remember this remarkable man who made a difference as he walked through this life and reflect on the impact he may have had on each of their lives.

Wensel, Nola

Beta Club Sponsor, Science, Biology, 10th English, Football Concessions, B.S. - M.S. Degree, 30 yrs exp

White, Sheri

Sponsor of F.H.A., Sponsor of Pep Club, Voc. Home Economics, B.S. Degree, 1 yr exp

From the September 1966 Ridgerunner:

"Miss Sheri Lee White
Miss White is the new Home Economics teacher. She is also the sponsor of FHA and Pep Club. She was born in Oklahoma and attended High School in Pawhuska. She went to college at Oklahoma State University. Her major was Voc. Home Economics and she graduated with a R.S. degree.
Miss White plays the piano and organ. She also said that she likes Grove very much. She is doing a fine job and I'm sure that Grove likes her, too."