Voices of Claremore – Page 4

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…

Stratton Taylor

Local lawyer, State Representative and Pro Tem Leader Biography Senator Stratton Taylor is the youngest of four in his family by 13 years, and was the first of his siblings to be born in a house with electricity and running water. His love for education…

Gerome Riley

Hall of Fame Athlete, Business man and local Black historian Biography Gerome Riley was born October 18, 1934in Chelsea, Oklahoma to Sylvester and Georgie Riley. Gerome was reared and educated in Chelsea at Paul Lawrence Dunbar School through the 8th grade, prior to transferring to…

Wilbur Corley

Long time pioneer Claremore family and upholsterer Biography Born May 12, 1934 in Claremore, Oklahoma to his parents Earl and Edna Corley, Wilber was reared and educated in Claremore Public Schools. His grandparents originally moved to Claremore from Cassville, Missouri and set up a blacksmith…

DEWEY “BUCK” JOHNSON

Former Claremore Chief of Police and Rogers County Sheriff Biography Dewey “Buck” Johnson was born on July 22, 1931 in Peachtree, North Carolina. The Johnson and Lamb families returned to their roots in Oklahoma when Buck was 5 years old. Buck was an outstanding athlete…

Coke Meyer

Great Niece of Will Rogers Doris "Coke" Meyer speaks about her great-uncle, Will Rogers, Oklahoma's favorite son. Oklahoma’s favorite son used to say “My ancestors didn’t come over on the Mayflower, but they met the boat.” Will Rogers who had a rich Cherokee heritage, was…

Keith Ballard

Grace, class, and dignity – those are three qualities this dedicated educator strove for each day as he battled through ALS at the end of his life. Dr. Keith Ballard’s education career started in Coweta, Oklahoma in 1972. Two years later Keith moved to Oologah,…

Carrie Dickerson

Black Fox Nuclear Plant Protester An unlikely activist, she educated herself about nuclear energy and risked everything to stop the Black Fox Plant. When Carrie Dickerson first saw a newspaper headline about the electric company’s plans to build a nuclear power plant near her…

Frank Robson

As a champion for Public Education, Frank C. Robson founded the Claremore Public Schools Foundation and has encouraged the formation and growth of school foundations statewide. A longtime supporter of Claremore Public Schools, Frank and his wife Ludmilla gave $8 million to help construct a…