Community Living
Senator’s legacy lives on in symposium
Gone but not forgotten, 50 years of marriage and public service by Ray and Mary Giles of Pocassett, are leaving a legacy at the University of Science and Arts, as the university hosts the Second Annual Ray and Mary Giles Symposium on Citizenship and Public Service.
The event is made possible through endowment funds established by the family of Ray and Mary Giles and held at the USAO Foundation.
The symposium is scheduled Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. in Te Ata Memorial Auditorium on the USAO campus. Renowned photojournalist James Nachtwey will be the featured speaker during the evening presentation. Nachtwey will speak on A Visual Journey Through Critical Issues of Contemporary History.
Prior to the 8 p.m. lecture, a panel discussion is scheduled at 4 p.m. in the Davis Hall Amphitheatre and will feature Cheyenne Arapaho artist Edgar Heap of Birds, UCO Professor Brett S. Sharp, editorial cartoonist Bruce Plante and artist Jeff Stokes. Katie Davis, assistant professor of drama at USAO, will moderate the discussion on The Role of Fine Arts in Political Discourse.
A State Icon
On the bustling floor of the Oklahoma State Senate, Ray Giles was an icon. Year after year, the senator from District 23 stood tall for what he believed. He voted his conscience, pushed the agenda of the farmer and, throughout his long tenure at the state house, defended USAO. Standing behind the senator, supporting him through every endeavor politically and professionally was Mary Martin Giles.
Giles developed his views and ideals during World War II. After a four-year distinguished stint in the U.S. Air Force, where he was awarded three Battle Stars, the Purple Heart and the Air Medal for his service in Europe, Giles returned to Caddo County in 1945 and assumed the role of wheat farmer.
With one hand tied to the land and the other reaching into public issues, Giles was involved with county politics and the State Board of Agriculture prior to running for the state senate post.
After winning the District 23 seat in 1976, Giles became an instant leader at the capitol. Many of his legislative victories revolved around environmental issues.
Man of Action
He chaired the senate’s Natural Resource Committee from its inception in 1981.
A 1996 senate resolution honoring Giles, said he was “highly respected for the fair, evenhanded and impartial manner in which he tackled controversial and emotional issues concerning energy, conservation and the environment.”
During his 16-year political career, Giles also served on the senate committees for business, labor, finance, rules, appropriations and wildlife.
Honors and acknowledgments for his work came from a wide array of organizations: Caddo County Mineral Owners; Oklahoma Rural Water District, Oklahoma Mineral Owners Association, Hall of Fame and Conservation Friend of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts; Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientist; Oklahoma Wildlife Federation and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Commission. In 1993 he became the fourth person inducted to the National Association of Royalty Owners Hall of Fame.
Award Winner
He was awarded for his work in soil conservation and rural water development. He received the Commander’s Award from the Disabled American Veterans in 1979 and the Soil Conservation President’s Award in 1987.
The senator was a member of the board of directors at Oklahoma National Bank and the Grady Memorial Hospital. He belonged to the Farmer’s Union, Farm Bureau, Cattleman’s Association and Disabled American Veterans.
Into Retirement
Giles retired from public service undefeated. In recognition of his long and distinguished career in the Legislature, a banquet honoring Giles’ life and achievements was held at USAO in May 1992. State Senate leaders attended the gathering and spoke glowingly of him, friends recall.
Like her husband, Mary Giles too was interested in public issues, mostly in education. She attended the Oklahoma College for Women (now USAO) in the early 1940s and became an outspoken supporter in Democratic causes. She taught in Carnegie schools for several years. She also was a member in the Grady County Mineral Owners Association and served on the board of the Oklahoma Electric Co-Op for many years.
- Community Living
-
-
Country music's Gene Watson plans Oct. 9 show in Chickasha
Gene Watson, the country music legend with 21 top 10 songs, will return to the Chickasha High School Activity Center for a 7:30 p.m. show Oct. 9.
This will be Watson’s fourth consecutive year to perform at Chickasha High School, having played there every year since the facility opened in 2007. -
Art classes offered at Epworth Methodist
Elizabeth Johnson, local Chickasha artist and teacher, has announced that she will be offering art classes for kids and adults this fall.
All classes begin on Tuesday, Sept. 7 at the Epworth United Methodist Church, 4th and Iowa, Chickasha. -
Butler announces AT&T retirement
After 44 years of service, Jerry Butler has announced his retirement from AT&T
Butler began his career with Southwestern Bell Telephone now AT&T in June of 1966.
His first job assignment was in Alva, Okla., as a Lineman.
In November he transferred to Chickasha where he continued as a Lineman until June of 1970. -
Country music legend Gene Watson plans another appearance in Chickasha
Gene Watson, the country music legend with 21 top 10 songs, will return to the Chickasha High School Activity Center for a 7:30 p.m. show Oct. 9.
This will be Watson’s fourth consecutive year to perform at Chickasha High School, having played there every year since the facility opened in 2007. -
CHS Key Club plans first meeting for Aug. 26
Key Club is the student branch of the Kiwanis organization.
The goal of Key Club is to develop knowledgeable, capable, and compassionate leaders that enhance their communities through service. - Community Briefs
- Juneteenth committee announces winners
-
OHCE members take part in state meeting
CHICKASHA, Okla. –Members of Grady County’s Oklahoma Home and Community Education organization met recently in Oklahoma City for the group’s 75th annual state meeting. This year’s theme was “Dreams to Diamonds,” which reflected that the group was observing its 75th birthday.
-
Ninnekah community set to host summer blood drive
Blood donors will receive two tickets to the Oklahoma City Zoo and a “Feel Wild” T-shirt when they give blood with Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) this summer. First Baptist Church is hosting a blood drive 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 18 at the High School Cafeteria, 901 S. Maple.
-
Drawing held, winner named
Glenda Sage of Rush Springs was the lucky winner of a Weatherby shotgun, the prize of a recent fund-raising effort for Miss Audri King, the two-year-old daughter of Brandon and Janae King of Chickasha and granddaughter of Walter and Pat King and Coye and Marla Langford, held at the Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pull held recently at the Grady County Fairgrounds in Chickasha.
- More Community Living Headlines
-
