June 5, 2021 Issue, Page 2 of 8

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2 June 5, 2021 News/Obits am now the music minister for works in the oilfield, share Jalee, Noble St. John Nepomuk in Yukon. I witnessed how much my moth- er helped families in her service 2, and Jake, a newborn. “They gave us a great example Continued from page 1. in marriage,” Robert gushed. and admired that,” he said. These days, Robert says his “They taught us that there will After getting married, Kathy parents are most delighted with be times that you disagree and and Bill joined St. Matthew’s their eight grandchildren. Church. Though Kathy spent that you even fight, but you are Robert and his wife Margaret most of her days teaching at share Zachary, 14, Benjamin, committed and find love. They Elk City High School, including 11, Elizabeth, 9, William, 5, are a great example of happiness organizing prom, her most pas- Elaina, 3, and Claremarie, 1. and seeing everything through. sionate volunteer work remains Margaret works as a nephrol- I always say that I married out an organist for the church. ogy nurse. “I actually didn’t start playing His sister Jacqueline and of my class, and I know it is be- until I was in high school, but I brother-in-law Jimmie, who cause they taught me how.” SWOSU Announces Establishment of North Family Endowment said. “I hope that this donation Lucille taught at Okeene and Weatherford Chamber of Com- will make a positive difference Corn before marring Roy North merce. for students and faculty.” in 1931. Lucille went on to earn The North Family Endow- The North Family Endowment her Master of Education de- ment is so named to honor the gree in the mid-1950s and then is stewarded by the SWOSU rich heritage of the North Fam- taught third grade in Weather- Foundation, Inc. which was es- ily at SWOSU—in addition to ford’s East Elementary school tablished in 1977 to promote North and his grandmother, the until her retirement in 1971. late Lucille North, his brother philanthropy and distribute Lucille was very proud of and sister-in-law, Joe and Ju- Weatherford and SWOSU and funds to support the activities lie (Classes of 1979 and 1980 participated in numerous vol- and programs of SWOSU. Locat- & 1994, respectively) and their unteer organizations: Kiwanis, ed on the Weatherford campus daughters, Kayci (Classes of Chamber of Commerce, Meals 2007 & 2008) and Ali (Class in the historic Burton House, on Wheels, and many other of 2008) are all proud SWOSU the Foundation currently stew- causes that benefitted from alumni. Additionally, North’s her civic commitment. While a ards nearly $30 million in assets aunt, Margaret A. (North) Wru- septuagenarian, Lucille drove for the benefit of SWOSU. For cha, is a 1965 & 1968 alumnae other senior citizens to doctor of SWOSU. more information on the Foun- appointments and grocery store North was born in Tacoma dation, call 580-774-3267 or visits. In 1990, at the age of 85, (WA) and raised in Weather- Lucille received the “Volunteer visit www.SWOSUFoundation. ford. Following graduation from of the Year” award from the com. Mike North and Marilyn Flinchum (center) were Weatherford High School in recently welcomed to Crowder Lake University Park by 1973, he served his country in SWOSU President Dr. Randy L. Beutler (left) and SWOSU the United States Navy, being Dean of the College of Professional & Graduate Studies honorably discharged in July of Royse reportedly returned to Dr. Chad Kinder. 1977. He began his undergradu- Royse the residence on the 400 block ate work at SWOSU in 1977 of North Main. He was said to Southwestern Oklahoma Family Endowment will cel- where he studied accounting Continued from page 1. have informed Johnson’s girl- State University (SWOSU) has ebrate and award the outstand- and economics. North worked friend that Johnson had been announced a major gift from ing PRM graduate each year via in public accounting for two and both Johnson and Castro. shot and that he was walking to longtime SWOSU benefactor the North Family Medal recog- a half years before entering the The alleged victim described GPRMC for treatment. and 1980 alumnus Mike North nition. The North Family En- real estate development and a struggle between him and the Royse allegedly fled as police of Oklahoma City. dowment will also offer the local syndication business. He passed suspects after he saw their gun. arrived. The North Family Endow- community annual public infor- the Certified Public Accountant The alleged victim reportedly As a result of the investiga- ment has been established to mation on PRM issues and de- (CPA) examination in 1983. took control of the pistol, and, tion, the detective believes provide ongoing support to the velopments through the North In 1986, North purchased a as a result, several shots were that he has probable cause that SWOSU Department of Parks & Family Endowed Lectureship small childcare center and over fired. Royse was acting in concert with Recreation Management (PRM). in Parks & Recreation Manage- the next 25 years developed and “(Samuel) Castro was lying Castro and Johnson to travel to North and his wife, Mari- ment. built the enterprise into 11 large dead on the floor and (Isaiah) the residence on the 400 block lyn Flinchum, are enthusiastic Additionally, the Parks & childcare centers with the capac- Johnson being shot in the chest of North Watkins with an al- and generous donors to many Recreation Management fac- ity to serve 1,750 children. In and arm,” the detective account- leged plan to commit the crime SWOSU causes including the ulty will have the opportunity to 2011, North sold the childcare SWOSU President’s Leadership ed. style one of their number as the business and began Okie Ex- of robbery. Class and the SWOSU Charita- The detective alleged that he “North Family Endowed Chair press Auto Wash, which has 11 Because of the alleged felo- ble Hunt. They are also Founder- learned through a subsequent in Parks & Recreation Manage- locations in the Oklahoma City nies, Johnson and now Royse level investors in the SWOSU interview with Johnson that ment.” metro area. are being charged with first-de- Bulldog Angels Fund, which Royse had given the pistol to In recognition of the mag- Lucille North was born Sep- gree murder. provides assistance to SWOSU Castro, which was reportedly nitude of this generous gift to tember 25, 1905, in Indian Ter- Royse remains at large. students facing crisis. used in the robbery. SWOSU, Beutler has asked the ritory. She grew up in Weather- Johnson has been approved “The North Family Endow- Johnson was said to have Regional University System of ford and attended Weatherford for a court-appointed lawyer. He ment is a transformative gift arrived together with Royse Oklahoma (RUSO) Board of Re- Public Schools. Lucille earned is due back in Beckham County for the students, faculty and and Castro. Royse allegedly re- gents to formally designate the a degree in education from the District Court on June 29 and programs of the SWOSU Parks mained outside the home until primary instructional facility at then-Southwestern Normal Johnson ran outside after the July 20. & Recreation Management De- Crowder Lake University Park as School in 1927. While attend- shots had been fired. If you have information about partment,” said SWOSU Presi- “The North Family Building.” ing what became SWOSU, Lu- dent Dr. Randy L. Beutler. “We “This is known as a ‘look-out’ Royse’s whereabouts, contact “I am very thankful for the ed- cille belonged to the “BullPups” are delighted to partner once from my training and experi- your closest law enforcement ucation my family members and (a cheer group), Tri-J Sorority, more with longtime benefac- ence,” the detective wrote. agency. I received at SWOSU,” North and Forensia. After graduation, tors and friends Mike North and Marilyn Flinchum to help enhance learning, develop skills Mary Burnett Charles Pollard Jr and strengthen our university. Charles “Charlie” Pollard, Mary Evelyn (Weeks) The entire SWOSU community Jr., was born February 7, 1972, Dowdell Burnett was born July is deeply grateful for this gener- 31, 1940, in White City, Mor- in Oklahoma City, Okla. He ous philanthropic investment.” ris County, Kansas to Clifford passed away peacefully, sur- In addition to providing sub- Leburn and Geraldine (Longan) rounded by his family May 26, stantial, much-needed scholar- Weeks and passed away May 31, 2021, at the age of 49 after a ship support to PRM students 2021, in Cordell, Oklahoma at long, hard-fought battle with on an annual basis, the North the age of 8 years, 10 Months. congestive heart failure. July 3, 1958, she married Charlie was raised in the Wayne Leroy Dowdell in Whit foster care of A.C. and Bil- City, Morris, Kansas. To this lie Davis on their farm near union two children were born, Willow from 8 years old. He Vivian and Wade. loved the farm life, rarely seen October 8, 1992, Mary mar- without his boots and cowboy ried Ted Lucas Burnett I Clark, hat. Charlie became a sales- Nevada. man for Heartland and Dish Preceding Mary in death Network, traveling the country children Dylan Pollard of Elk were her parents; husband, to train other salesmen. Later, City, Destry Holzschuh of gels, Paige Ashmore, Peyton Ted Lucas Burnett; two sisters, he started his own construc- Oklahoma City, their spouses, Ashmore, Zay lee Ashmore, tion business, building several and Dayli Pollard of Elk City; Betty Jean Vandeveer, Wilma Doris Schmidt, and sister-in- Blayden Ashmore, Skyler Hib- homes, barns, and structures grandson Fennec Pollard of Elk law Pam Weeks. bard, Molly Hibbard, Makayla from Oklahoma to Texas. When City; birth-mother Radonna Mary is survived by her chil- a heart condition forced him Pollard of Ada, sisters Charlene Ashmore, Mason Ashmore, and to slow down, Charlie drove dren, Vivian Rainey (Bobby) of Kimmel of Kansas City, KS, and Elk City, Oklahoma and Wade Levi Ashmore; Sister Martha a truck, helped on the farm Kim Leegard of Pauls Valley, Dowdell (Loreta) of Murrieta, Barrett, brothers Kenneth L and other odd jobs. More than brother Clayton Pollard of Ada, California, Step-daughter Tara Weeks (Jean), Charles weeks anything, Charlie loved being and their families; foster sib- Wilbert of Wichita, two Step- a dad, taking his four kids on (Carolyn), and John Weeks as vacations, to the movies, to lings Scott Davis of Willow, Pam sons Joe Burnett of Syracuse, King of Edmond, their families, and Todd Burnett of Pensacola, well as a host of other relatives target practice, watching them play sports, discussing religion and many other loved ones and Fl.; grandchildren, Christie Hib- and friends. and politics, and spending time dear friends. bard (Kurt), Amber Ashmore, Funeral service will be June together. He attended Spring Charlie is preceded in death Michael Ashmore (Angel) and 5th, 10:00 am at Southern Creek Baptist Church most of by his daughter Devyn Hope Ashley Dowdell; great grand- children, Hunter Ivey, Autumn Baptist Church, 610 N Main St., his life. Pollard, and foster parents A.C. Jones (Jason), Morgan Man- Syracuse, Kansas Charlie is survived by his and Billie Davis.