From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Monday, May
26, 1997
LOCAL
Nation Observes Memorial Day
'Wall That Heals' To Be Here in '98
DEATHS
Billy L.Campbell
Elsie Kurtz
Services Pending
Medra J. Jones
Charlie Fath
NEWS BRIEFS
LIFESTYLES
Little News
Newcomers Meet
SPORTS
Woodward Trips Up PC Majors
Sports Notes
Ponca City area residents joined with the rest of the nation today to celebrate Memorial Day with a number of ceremonies and services.
The Native American American Legion Buffalo Post 38 made the rounds of Indian cemeteries today, honoring the veterans buried in each one. They began at the Kaw cemetery and made stops at the Tonkawa, Ponca and Otoe-Missouria cemeteries.
Resthaven held its annual "Veterans Court of Honor" with special ceremonies and the display of American flags this morning.
This afternoon, a special flag raising ceremony was to be held at the Centennial Plaza to dedicate the flying of the POW-Mia flag.
The Vietnam Veterans Wall - "The Wall That Heals," will be coming to Ponca City on April 16-19, 1998, according to Steve and Terry Huston, owners of Trout Funeral Home, who are sponsoring the visit.
The Wall, a traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial, will be exhibited at Resthaven Memorial Park, also a sponsor.
Although millions of visitors experience the healing power of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial every year, millions more have not had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., to see the wall in person, says Steve Huston, and many do not have the resources to make the journey, he added.
"The Wall That Heals," is a half-scale replica - exact to the letter and inch - of the original Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. It travels across America to cities and towns great and small, speaking, not only of the loss, but of the lives of 58,202 men and women - parents, children, neighbors and friends.
Measuring approximately 123 feet each, two "wings" of the replica meet at an angle of 121 degrees and rise to a height of five feet at their vertex. the traveling memorial was constructed by a team of craftsmen from Waukegan, Ill., under the supervision of Lake County Vetz, an organization assisting homeless veterans.
Each of the 58,202 names on The Wall is laser-etched into panels of reflective black, powder coated, heavy aluminum supported by a structural aluminum frame.
The Wall That Heals Tour is organized by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, the organization charged with preserving The Wall in Washington and its legacy. National sponsors of the tour include the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. and Turner Network Television (TNT).
When "The Wall That Heals" travels to Ponca City next spring, it will be open 24-hours a day and admission will be free.
Anyone interested in helping with this project is encouraged to contact
Susan Ladner, manager, at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery, P.O. Box 2185,
Ponca City, Oklahoma 74602 or call (405) 762-5659.
DEATHS
Billy Lee Campbell, God's faithful servant, and longtime Ponca City resident, finished the race and went to be with his savior, Friday, May 23, 1997, at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center at the age of 72.
Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, 1997, at the First Church of the Nazarene with the Rev. Steve Bierley, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the Odd Fellows Cemetery under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.
Born Nov. 10, 1924, in Chandler, Okla., the son of James Alfred and Lillie Mae (Ritchie) Campbell. During his high school years he shared residence also with the W.T. Key family. He graduated from the Chandler High School in 1942. In 1943 at the age of 18 he enlisted in the United States Naval Service and served as a Tail Gunner during the same year he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with two gold stars. He worked at Tinker Field and attended college at which time he met and married Clara Hague in Ponca City, Oklahoma. They made their home in War Acres before settling in Ponca City in 1956. He retired from the United States Postal Service in 1981. After his retirement he helped his daughter and son-in-law with deliveries for the Osage Meat Market. He was a longtime member of the First Church of the Nazarene, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars post 1201, United States Civil Service Commission, National Association of Letter Carriers No. 1720, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, and was a member of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. He enjoyed his granddaughters and traveling, his church activities, and his many friends.
His wife, Clara, of the home; daughter, Ann, and her husband, Dave Roberts, of Ponca City; son, David Lee, of Ponca City; three granddaughters, Jamie, Christa, and Cari survive him. His parents, one brother, Leo Campbell, and one-half brother, Carl McGlamory, precede him in death.
Casketbearers will be: Clifford Johnson, Harold Mullins, Richard Terrell, John Maker, Dan McFarland, and Don McCain. Honorary Casketbearers will be: Melvin Key, Steve Bierley, Buford Weaver, Harry Hague, George Garton, August Hague, and Dave Roberts.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Church of the Nazarene, Building Fund, 1900 West Grand Avenue, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601.
Paid Obituary
Elsie Mary Kurtz, longtime Ponca City resident, died Friday, May 23, 1997, at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 87.
Funeral Service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 27, 1997, at the First Baptist Church Chapel with the Rev. Larry Heslip, Minister of Education, officiating. Burial will follow in the Odd Fellows Cemetery under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home.
Born on July 29, 1909, in Agar, South Dakota, to Louis "Pete" and Anna (Jargoski) LaFave. The family moved to Ponca City in 1911 when Elsie was 2 years old. Her father had the first Taxi Service in Ponca City and a Boarding House. They later built the LaFave Motel on South First Street. Elsie attended St. Mary's Catholic School and the Ponca City Business College.
On Aug. 28, 1931, she married Lawrence Harold Kurtz in Perry, Okla. They made their home in Ponca City, where they built the Lazy K Motel and later the Surrey Motel. They retired in 1973. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, the Naomi Sunday School Class. She made Communion bread for the church for almost 50 years. Lawrence and Elsie were very active members of the church, where Lawrence served on the building committee that is now known as the Education Building. Elsie loved to make sugar cookies, and to play the organ. She knitted baby outfits for the Hospital Auxiliary.
She is survived by: a son, Richard of Linsborg, Kan.; three grandsons, Jeffery, of Germany, Eric, of Ponca City, and Steven, of North Kansas City, Kansas; four great-granddaughters, Kasha, Chase, Candice, and Emily; a nephew, Paul Michael LaFave, of Georgia, and a niece, Jacquelyn Bell of Pennsylvania. Her parents, husband, two half-brothers and an infant sister precede her in death.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church. 218 South 6th, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601.
Paid Obituary
Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home for Medra J. "Med" Jones, 46. The longtime Ponca City resident died Saturday, May 24, 1997, at St. John Hospital in Tulsa.
Graveside service is expected to be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 28, 1997, at the Odd Fellows Cemetery.
Funeral service is pending for Charlie Fath, 68, of Blackwell. He died Sunday evening, May 25, 1997, at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kan.
Hackler Funeral Home in Blackwell is in charge of arrangements.
NEWS BRIEFS
Stop Signs Down - A Ponca City police officer responded to a report at 2:32 a.m. Saturday that stop signs at the intersection of Oak and Central were down and lying in the street. The officer reported the signs were just bent over and stood them back up.
Stop Sign Missing - A resident reported at 4:29 a.m. Saturday that stop signs were down or missing at the intersection of Ponca Avenue and Elm Street and Ponca City police notified the traffic engineer.
Truck Fire - Fire Station No. 1 responded to a 4:29 a.m. Saturday emergency call that reported an unidentified noise behind a tavern in the 500 block of West Highland Avenue. Ponca City police reported the problem was a pickup truck about to catch fire.
Vehicle Vandalized - Ponca City police received a call at 7:14 a.m. Saturday that a vehicle was vandalized in the 300 block of South Birch Street. An officer was assigned and a report taken.
Windows Broken - Ponca City police received a call at 7:16 a.m. Saturday that windows were broken in the 3500 block of North Union Street. An officer was assigned and a report taken.
Suspects Arrested - A 38-year-old woman was arrested on a complaint of domestic assault and battery following an emergency call at 8:01 a.m. Saturday in the 1400 block of South Fifth Street. Thirty minutes later, a 27-year-old woman also was arrested from the same block of South Fifth Street on the same complaint.
Cruelty to Animals - Ponca City police were called to the 800 block of Poplar Avenue at 8:52 a.m. Saturday on a report that two dogs had had their tails tied together. An officer was assigned.
Go-Cart Stolen - A caller reported to Ponca City police at 10:01 a.m. Saturday that a go-cart was stolen from a backyard in the 600 block of South Ninth Street. An officer was assigned and a report taken.
Reckless Driving Reported - Ponca City police officers responded to an emergency call at 3:30 p.m. Saturday regarding an intoxicated driver driving recklessly in the Wal-Mart parking lot. Officers stopped the vehicle at Prospect Avenue and Warwick Road and the driver was determined not intoxicated, but they issued a citation for transporting an open container of alcohol.
Assault Arrest - A 39-year-old man was arrested at 3:48 p.m. Saturday after Ponca City police received an emergency call that a woman was assaulted in the 300 block of West Broadway Avenue. An ambulance also responded but no one was transported to the hospital.
Warrant Arrest - A 37-year-old man was arrested at 4:42 p.m. Saturday on a city warrant for failure to pay, and Ponca City police transported the man to the Kay County Detention Facility in Newkirk.
Teen Treated - Ponca City telecommunication officers received a call at 5:44 p.m. Saturday that a 16-year-old was treated at the emergency room for multiple cuts on his arms. A police officer reported that the teenager's mother explained the youth had injured himself when he broke the window of a vehicle to get his keys out.
Person Injured - Several emergency calls at 12:41 p.m. Sunday requested an ambulance to the 1400 block of West Grand Avenue after a vehicle reportedly fell on a person. The person was transported to the hospital.
Stolen Duck - A caller notified the Ponca City police at 2:07 p.m. Sunday that someone was seen stealing a duck from the Lake Ponca Park. The lake patrol was advised.
Parole Arrest - Ponca City police officers arrested a 27-year-old man in the 100 block of West Hazel Avenue at 6:06 p.m. Sunday on a Kansas warrant of parole violation.
Basketball Shootout - The Midwest Youth Basketball Shootout will be held on June 21st in Stillwater and is open to boys and girls going into grades 4-8. For information call 377-HOOP or 372-5109.
Volleyball Saturday - Commercial Federal Bank will sponsor a volleyball
tournament (four person, coed) Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., south of the bank
building. Proceeds go to Oklahoma Committee to Prevent Child Abuse. Entry
fee is $25. Call Kelli Moore or Renea McKain (767-0614) to register.
LIFESTYLES
James and Kimberly Emmel of Ponca City announce the birth of their first child, a boy, on May 14, 1997 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. The baby weighed 8-pounds, 2-ounces and was 20 1/4-inches long. He has been named Austin Andrew James Emmel. Ms. Trudy McClarnon of Blackwell is the maternal grandmother and paternal grandparents are Victor and Delma Emmel of Concordia, Kan. Mrs. Helen Flemming of Manhattan, Kan. is the great-grandmother. The baby has a brother, Ryan Emmel of Concordia, Kan.
Members of the Ponca City Newcomers Club met recently with Blanche Thorson giving the invocation. Guest speaker for the meeting was Wanda Brawner from the Ponca Animal Welfare Society. She presented information about the PAWS and showed a blue heeler mix dog named Frankie.
A plant was presented to the latest newcomer, Allison Graham. Other recent
"newcomers" are Phyllis Prusia, Sondra Olinger and Wanda Howard.
SPORTS
WOODWARD - Ponca City's American Legion Majors opened their season here Sunday with a heart-breaking 4-3 loss to Woodward.
The Royals outhit the Travelers 11-6 but lost an opportunity to tie the game in the top of the seventh on a freak play.
Ponca City head coach Jack Shears inserted speedy Michael Quick to pinch run following a Josh Shafer single with one out in the seventh. Hot-hitting Jason Neff (4-for-4 with three RBIs) then came through at the plate with a double.
Unfortunately, things turned bad for the Poncans. Quick tripped rounding third and was caught in a rundown. After he was tagged out the Travelers nailed Neff as he tried to reach third to complete the game-ending double play.
"We should have won the ball game," said Shears. "We stranded a lot of guys at third. We just needed a couple more key hits."
After winning his first 12 high school games, Rocky Hughes opened the Legion season 0-1. The 5-10 left-hander allowed four runs on six hits.
Woodward, which improved to 8-0, hosts the Royals in a doubleheader today. The Poncans then return home and then travel to Blackwell Wednesday. The Blackwell game was originally scheduled to be a home game for the Royals but Ponca City's field is undergoing some field repairs.
Against the Travelers Sunday, Neff's two-RBI double in the first staked the Poncans to a 2-0 lead. Woodward came back to tie the game with a two-run second but Neff came through again in the Ponca City third with an RBI single to put the Royals up 3-2.
Woodward then went in front for good with a two-run fourth.
Besides Neff, three other Royals also had a good game at the plate. Chris Koenig and Mark Smith were both 2-for-3 and J.R. Fry was 2-for-4.
Shears said he expected Jay Bentley to draw the Game 1 start today with either Jason Ross or Koenig starting Game 2.
Woodward 4, Ponca City 3
Ponca City 201 000 0 - 3 11 1
Sand Springs 020 200 x - 4 6 1
PC-Hughes and Neff. LP-Hughes (0-1).
Girls' Soccer Tryouts - Ponca City Twisters will hold tryouts for a competitive Under 13 soccer team Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Ponca City Socer Complex on Field 11.
The girls' birthdays must be between Aug. 1, 1984 and July 31, 1985. This is a traveling team which will start play in the fall with an indoor winter league optional.
For information contact coaches Bobby Snow (765-5881), Richard Cook (765-2010) or Cheryl Kinkaid (762-4346).
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Boys' Soccer Tryouts - The Ponca City Ambush, under 13 boys competitive soccer team, will hold tryouts for the 1997 fall and 1998 spring seasons May 27-28 from 5 to 7 p.m. each evening at the PCS, Inc., soccer complex on Lake Road. To be eligible, boys must have been born after Aug. 1, 1984.
Participants need to contact coach Robin Drumm (762-7074) for additional information.
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Chess Champion - Harold Ball of the Ponca City Chess Club won the Reserve Speed Chess title at the annual Oklahoma State Speed Chess Championships in Oklahoma City. He finished with a 10.5-2.5 record.
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Wrestling Tournament - The Arkansas City Freestyle Wrestling Club will sponsor a tournament June 7 at the Recreation Center. USA Cards will be required and can be bought before the tournament.
For information, contact Bob Burr (316-442-4129) or Bill Vardy (316-442-4159).