Voices of Claremore – Page 4

PAUL PIXLEY

Local businessman and community supporter Biography Paul Pixley was born in 1950 to parents Warren and Pat Pixley. The eldest of five children, Paul has been involved with the Pixley Lumber family owned business since 1972. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board…

ROB MELTON

Many decade family car dealership owner and Claremore historian Biography Rob Melton is a progressive Claremore businessman who has grown his family dealership into its fifth generation. His love of cars, combined with his business acumen, has enabled him to streamline the auto buying process…

MELINDA KNIGHT

Dot’s Café owner and long time resident Biography Melinda Kay Washom Knight was born July 26, 1955 to Robert and Dorothy Washom. She was born on the family farm in Claremore, Oklahoma where she was still living until the flood of 2019. Robert was a…

NORMA HADDAD EAGLETON

Play Audio A pioneering public official and true servant to her community and fellow citizens. Biography Norma. Eagleton is known for many accomplishments including first female Tulsa city commissioner and Oklahoma corporation commissioner. Norma was the first woman elected to a voting position on the…

Wayne McCombs

Museum Director, Radio Broadcaster and Local Sports Historian Biography Wayne McCombs’ family moved to a farm south of Claremore in 1958. In the ninth grade he began working at the local radio station, KWPR. The station was a 500 watt, AM daytime station at the…

Pat Reeder

Journalist - Long time Claremore Progress writer and Will Rogers Memorial Public Relations Director Biography Born and raised on a rocky hillside of her father’s Cherokee allotment, overlooking the Verdigris River bottom, northeast of Nowata Oklahoma, Patty Reeder was the daughter of Jim and Juanita…

Ronald Johnson

First Oklahoma Highway Patrol Black trooper Biography Claremore’s own Ronnie L. Johnson was the first Oklahoma Highway Patrol Black trooper. Lieutenant Johnson was a trailblazer who led the way for countless other African American troopers to serve with distinction. The law enforcement community and the…

Jesse Lingenfelter

Business woman, wife and mother. A pioneering Claremore business owner’s wife. Biography Born December 11, 1914 in Perkins, Oklahoma to Robert and Ethel (Hedrick) Webb, Jessie was reared and educated in Pryor, Oklahoma. She graduated with the class of 1933, and in 1934 Jessie married…

Tom Pool

A local educator whose love for history ultimately led him to serving in local government. Biography Tom Pool’s life in Claremore began with his family’s move here when he was in the fifth grade. He went on to graduate from Claremore High School where he…

Curtis Rohr

A fifth generation Cherokee whose ancestors came here on the Trail of Tears. Biography Curtis Rohr's life and family history belong to the town of Verdigris as much as they belong to the man. Rohr is a fifth generation Cherokee, whose ancestors came here…

Coach Bear Jensen

Claremore’s all time winningest football coach. Biography Lester "Bear" Jensen was born on September 29, 1924 in Weaubleau, MO to Loren and Veda Jensen. Bear graduated from Norman High School in 1945. During his time at Norman High, he played for the 1943 football state…

Pat (P.S.) Gordon

World renowned artist and painter Biography Patrick (p.s.) Gordon is a world renowned artist and painter. He was born to pioneer Claremore parents, Janelle and Jack Gordon at the Franklin Hospital in 1953, and was delivered by his uncle, Dr. Minor Gordon. His. aunt, Elizabeth…