June 22, 2022 Issue, Page 2 of 8

Page Text

2- The Elk City News June 22, 2022 News iy OREe RYE ContinuedHeib they want to do the best with Brown’s what they have. Sometimes, Continued from page 1. from page 1. the arts communities in rural areas don’t have as much sup- up their sign. Others who have port as they could have. But helped and will be working in Heib found RCCT through the Facebook advertisement everyone who works in this the store are Amber Vinson, of the production, “Christmas theater really does everything Valerie Castro, and Abbie Be- Carol.” She attended the show, that they can to create the best navidez. and was impressed. show that they possibly can for Pinkston and her daughter, “I came to see ‘A Christmas their audience. They want to ‘Tonya Walker, were at the rib- Carol? and I was like, ‘Oh my bon cutting to help celebrate gosh, there is theater here too.’ create this beautiful, nurtur- the new owners. Pinkston had ‘That is awesome. The last time ing environment for people to a stroke in December. She said Iwas in a show was ‘Steel Mag- just have fun, and to do these that she was forced to retire nolia’ in Liberal, Kansas, at the beautiful, wonderful plays otherwise she would still be Seward County Community to entertain. I think it really there. College. It has been amazing brings the community togeth- “I didn’t want to work, and to be able to go to all these I don’t miss the work. I miss ferent places around the Unit- er. I love that support. I want ed States and to be able to do to see the community grow in the people,” Pinkston conclud- what I love. The people that I that support with this theater. ed. have met continue that fun, I love being a part of it, and it and I can grow that communi- has been an honor to be able to Pictured are the new own- ty (theatre) with them,” Heib ers of Brown's Ale and Liquor said. do that,” Heib concluded. with Mary Pinkston, owner As she thought about her Although she is employed of M&P Liquor. In front is experience at RCCT, she noted in Clinton, Heib is an Elk City Pinkston and standing from that it has been good to see the resident. She is engaged to the left are Abbie Benavi- dez, Carrie Campbell, Kent local arts community grow and Jared Bishop, manager of the be supported in Elk City. This local Sherwin Williams store. Brown, Valerie Castro, and production has been a positive Amber Vinson. Staff photo Ly experience for her, too. She said that she came to Elk Sheryl Ponce. “I've had so much fun City to find her happiness with meeting these people. These him, differing from Dinah, the girls have really exceeded my character she is portraying in Garrison expectations, and how much “Sweet Delilah Swim Club.” Continued from page 1. Shirley Gurley City, Chad Smith at Cheyenne, Shirley Anne (Foster) Welk and Brandon Storm at Elk ooperative / Gurley, 96, of Sayre/Tulsa, City,” Garrison said at the con- ina Sot passed away Thursday, June ference. 16, 2022. As he looked back over his Shirley lived her long, large years in education, Garrison life, enjoying 96 happy years. said that the best part of it has been being able to build posi- She is remembered for her tive relationships. strong faith in God, interest in “So you want to think that living life to the fullest, a love you made a difference in the of music and dancing, being world. Throughout your career around people and with an im- that it is your presence that has mense pride in her family. made a difference. The hardest She was born to Beulah and thing is to hope that the people Harry Foster, in Wynne, Arkan- you come into contact with see sas, on March 10, 1926. Shirley good in you, and that you pass 4 grew up in Hoisington, Kansas, that on to others,” he said. graduated from high school, working on the Gurley’ fami- and started work as a sales ly farm. They were long-time As an administrator, Garri- son has had to make tough de- cisions, and as a leader in the Pictured at the CCOSA Summer Conference are Executive Director of CCOSA/OASA Dr. Pam associate at a local woman's members of the Sayre United school and community, those Deering, Rick Garrison, and OASA President Brad Posey. Courtesy photo. dlothing store. As a child she Methodist Church and singing decisions are not always un- learned to play the flute, violin together in the choir was al- derstood by the public. He has and piano. ways one of their great joys. found that to be the worst part spots for me,” he confessed. as experienced with handling enjoyment in it. How you look She married Harold (Swede) Her second husband died of his educational career. Not all leaders in a school tough decisions. at it and find things you like Welk, on December 24, 1945, in 2016, after 35 years of mar- district handle the stress or “You do the best you can “As an administrator you to do and enjoy doing them. It and lived in New York City riage together. In 2018, Shir- get into situations where you decisions with finesse or un- with what you know at the while her husband served as a ley moved to Tulsa, OK to be really feel like you're behind derstanding. Garrison was not time. So I look back, and I is where you want to put your U.S. Navy lieutenant on convoy dose to family. She resided at the eight ball. In today’s world, that type of superintendent. think it was my maturity and ‘The Parke Assisted Living Cen- time, and so I've really just at- duty. After the war they raised with social media and social His success seemed to be built age that I may have made de- seven children and she worked ter and participated in a vari- pressures, I always focus on through learning from others. cisions about things that prob-tacked it as a real challenge to ety of activities including Bible asa full-time mother and home trying to make the best deci- ‘This has been especially true in ably shaped people’s lives. In a enjoy my life,” Garrison con- maker. A tireless worker and study classes, choir, Bingo and sion for the kids. It may not listening to what his parents role of a coach or leadership, amazing mother, she provided Skip-bo. She felt a need to meet be what everybody else is say- tried to teach him. something that may sound cluded. awarm and loving home for her each resident and staff member ing will be the best, and when “| think you have to be suc- good at the time, you look back Over the next few months family. In addition, she held to make them feel welcome and we are unable to communicate cessful, or you have to be for- and you feel like you might he will be serving as an interim various positions over the years loved. with the public because of con- tunate enough to be viewed have handled it better. So superintendent at Cheyenne as a secretary, physician's assis- Shirley was preceded in fidentiality, they don’t always as being successful all the way there’s always regrets, I think tant and operating a boarding death by: her parents; hus- see the whole picture. Those through (your career). You can that I could have done better,” Schools. Because he has filled house. Shirley and her hus- bands Harold (Swede) Welk are difficult times, probably start your trial prior to being he said. that role once before, they band also lived Great Bend, KN; and Kermit Gurley; sons Jon the worst times for me. So we an administrator, but my mom Garrison has been in retire- asked him to step in while the Scott City, KN; Carrizozo, NM; Welk and Brit Gurley; daughter, are stuck in the middle,” he and dad always taught me to be ment for one year and has en- Tucumcari, NM; and Cordell, Pam Welk; two sisters and one said. part of something bigger than joyed it. But he also admits to current superintendent retires OK before eventually settling brother. Garrison seemed to always myself, Whether it is onateam, missing the people he worked and then returns to the posi- in Sayre, Oklahoma in 1964. In She is survived by: children put the kid’s needs first, which in an organization, or whatev- with and the day to day inter- tion. the early years, when the chil- Billand Phyllis Welk, Tulsa, OK; was rewarding and frustrating er you're a part of, it was more actions with his staff. dren were young, they enjoyed Bob Welk, Sayre, OK; Mike and at the same time. He under- than just you. It included a lot “I was just blessed with ev- Garrison and his wife, Car- square dancing and traveling Debby Welk, Austin, TX; Tom stood what it was like for the of different people, so whether ery superintendent's position ol, live on his family’s Centen- home to see family for the hol- and Barbara Welk, Norman, student, and he tried to make Twas teaching and coaching, or that I had, but even when I was idays. OK; Debora and Robert Kel- nial farm outside of Hobart. decisions that would not harm when I was fortunate to move coaching and teaching, I was Following the death of her ly, Rolla, MO; granddaughters him or her future. always blessed that I had good His son, Gunner Garrison and on into administration (or un- first husband in 1979, Shirley Christa Wright, Lisa Martin, “You are dealing with kids, fortunately) I always I felt like I people around me. I had good daughter Hannah and her hus- returned to school, after 34 ‘Abby Welk, Pamela Mooney, and I always felt like school was was alwaysa part of something relationships that I really miss. years of marriage, and eared Stephanie Gilmore, Shana Gur- a place to make mistakes and bigger than just me. That idea I’ve really taken retirement on band Roy Goodspeed were able the Degree of “Associate in ley; grandsons Shawn Welk, be able to grow and to move was what always got my juices as kind of the same challenge to join him as he accepted his Science” and the Degree of David Welk, Robby Welk, Josh forward. It seemed like the flowing,” Garrison explained. as my career. I think to be re- tired you find meaning and Lifetime Achievement Award. “Associate in Health Technolo- Welk, Jonathan Harvey, Adam public sometimes wants you to He continued to talk about gy” (Magna Cum Laude) from Welk, Michael Kelly, Jon Henry treat kids like adults and not his regrets. Those are about de- Sayre Junior College in 1981. Gurley; thirteen great grand- allow them to make any mis- takes. Those were always hard cisions he may have made ear- lier in his career, and was not Raymond Pickering She was also elected to the children; numerous nieces and nephews; and many special “Who's Who Among Students Raymond B. Pickering of Sweetwater, Oklahoma, 93 years old, in American Junior Colleges” friends. rElkCituNews passed away at his home on May 31, 2022, surrounded by his fam- in recognition of outstanding Rose Chapel Funeral Ser- merit and accomplishment as a vice (580-928-3333), 906 N. ily. student. Following college she 4th St., Sayre, OK will host a worked as laboratory techni- viewing on Sunday, June 19th dan at the Elk City Hospital. from 1-5 PM and Monday, (USPS # 173-020) 580-225-3000 Elaine Rikard In 1981, Shirley married June 20th from 9-11 AM. Kermit Gurley, a long-time res- Celebration services will be Is published twice weekly by Beckham County Media, LLC Services for Elaine Rikard ident of Sayre and Superinten- held at the United Methodist 109 W. Broadway, El Ik City, OK 73644-4736, will be held at Whinery-Savage dent of the Merritt School Sys- Church, 802 N. 4th St., Sayre, Periodicals Postage Paid at Elk City, OK 73644 Funeral Home in Elk City at tem. They happily spent their OK on Monday, June 20th at 11:00 AM Thursday, June 23, time together with family and 2:00 PM. Interment will follow POSTMASTER: Send address changes to PO Box 964, Elk City, OK 73648 2022. friends while attending school at the Sayre-Doxey Cemetery. Obituary to follow. Elaine functions, basketball games, Services are under the di- touched many lives over her church, local musicals and rection of Rose Chapel, Sayre. SUBSCRIPTIONS 42 years here in Elk City and Deliverd by mail: Sheryl Ponce....Stafi Writer will be dearly missed. In leu of $75/yearly $50/six months Neva Pyatt...Adverising Director flowers donations can be made to any of the following in her Send obituaries to Zadie Eakins...Advertising Director memory. Elk City Band Boost- ECNclassifieds@ No refunds on subscriptions. D’Ann Brasuell..Production Manager ers, P.O. Box 1906, Elk City, OK [email protected] 73648 or by venmo@ecband- elkctynewsadvertising @gmail.com Nahka King... CSR/Delivery boosters.HELP, Inc or Western [email protected] Oklahoma Animal Resources both here in Elk. gmail.com