President’s Award

Mickey Mills, '61
2022 President's Award Recipient

Mickey graduated from OMA in 1961. This past year, 2021, has been very lucky for me. My lovely wife, Ana Kala and I just got married on New Year’s Eve, in Las Vegas. Combined, we now have six grown children. We have only been living together for 18 years and survived only 1001 arguments. Ana Karla crossed the border when she was only 17 years old and is proud now to be a United States citizen.

I grew up in Memphis, Tennessee and Tulsa Oklahoma, later moving to Las Vegas and then Southern California. If I ever write a book or a screen play, it might be titled “Very Disorganized Crime.” It will cover many childhood companies that I formed; none of them were completely legal. I arrived here at OMA during my Junior year, right after being kicked out of Tulsa Edison High School, mostly just for truancy and staging motor scooter races in front of the school during school hours. But Edison did not appreciate my wonderful report card company either. I had been selling report cards for $1 each, or the students could buy all 6 of their subjects for only $5. This way kids could bring home all A’s and B’s to their parents, even though they were actually failing.

Cadet Jeff Bloom was one of very few OMA cadets that I already knew when I arrived here from Tulsa. Bloom gave me some “rabbit tips,” like running everywhere on campus and never walking. Like how to eat a “square meal.” But he was unable to teach me how to keep my mouth shut, unless spoken to.

Soon, I met a very smart and influential OMA teacher named Captain Epperson. This man would help to change the direction in my life. Captain Epperson was both my Math and Science Professor; he was also our wrestling team coach. I was a skinny kid and wrestled in the 122-pound class. It was exciting, traveling to small towns in Oklahoma for those wrestling matches. I especially remember one match that took place on the Anadarko Indian Reservation. Their Indian kids seemed to have arms of steel from working in the fields all day. I will never forget looking up from the mat where my opponent had pinned me and seeing the Indians in the second story pier up above me. They were all whooping it up with wild Indian calls!

One of our wrestling victories that weekend came from Jerry Wheatcraft. He was a dear friend of mine who also came to OMA from Tulsa. I am very sorry to report that we lost Wheatcraft during this past year, but I am confident that Jerry now resides in heaven.

My first scholastic meeting with Captain Epperson was not exactly pleasant. In fact, he became very angry with me. Epperson yelled at me, “You have such a high IQ, but you are doing nothing with your life except getting into trouble. Your dad is an airline pilot. He is not an attorney whose job is to keep you out of juvenile court. (Now I realized that he had been speaking with my parents.) What on earth is wrong with you? You have been acting so stupid? I mean really Stupid, STUPID.” This Captain Epperson officer frightened me! I guess that was his way of giving me a serious wake up call.

Having my attention now, Epperson began to lighten up. He made me a wonderful offer: that if I would take school more seriously as a junior, he would arrange for me to take college classes during my senior year; in effect, I would be able to simply skip my senior year of high school and still graduate. He said that his “College classes might be less boring, and these college credits will certainly please your parents.”

Normally, during study time each evening (called CQ Hour), we would listen to records, play games, or lift weights in our room until the study guard came around. Then we would all pretend to be reading. After Captain Epperson’s angry lecture, I promised him that I would change my ways and attitude. I began to focus on homework during study hour and we became friends. A few answers in his math book were controversial if not simply wrong. I never again missed the answer to a single question in a single test in a single OMA class.

Later, I would attend both college and law school on scholarships. This OMA study hour also gave me time to work out a card counting theory, the plus or minus value weighing of each playing card used in Las Vegas at the blackjack tables. Can you believe they were only dealing with single or double decks in the early 1960’s!? Very easy money if a lot of the little cards came out early! When study hour was over at 10:00 p.m. each night, my roommates helped me to run “Mickey’s Cafe.”

My Grandmom delivered mason jars to us with delicious grape and strawberry preserves that we dished into peanut butter sandwiches. Two double toasters melted the cheese inside the grilled cheese sandwiches that we served. Candy bars were sold for dessert. Our drinks came from the mess hall kitchen, courtesy of the State of Oklahoma. I even extended credit to most of the cadets. This cafe was quite profitable.

Someone said that cadet Bill Ramsay needed a rhythm guitar player to complete the band he was forming. I asked him to please give me a few guitar lessons, and then to try me out. Ramsay reluctantly agreed, but only after he explained that “you have approximately zero musical talent.” Anyway, this new OMA rock ‘n roll band sounded good and worked out fine for us.

By then, I had planned to move west to Southern California to form my own rock ‘n roll band. To flash forward to California, I decided that instead of playing guitar, I wanted to begin promoting “Surfing Music.” In the summer of 1964, I produced the Beach Boys concert, backed up by The Righteous Brothers in the Avalon Casino on Catalina Island. The timing for my promotion of another local group was also successful. They had just been kicked out of the Whiskey a Go-Go on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood. Somehow The Doors survived the ongoing “British Invasion” to become the most popular American band during the middle 1960’s.

The OMA experience that we cadets were all exposed to have had a profound effect in the direction of each of our lives. The previous OMA band experience probably influenced my founding of “Westcoast Promotions,” a successful rock concert company in Hollywood, California. Westcoast coproduced the first Rolling Stones Tour in the United States in November 1969. Keith Richards, the Stones’ lead guitar player once said that “If rock ’n roll had another name, it would be Chuck Berry.” He was my idol also, a truly brilliant songwriter from Saint Louis. We led off every concert by covering Berry’s Oh Carol.

Can anyone today imagine the Rolling Stones performing in a school gymnasium? Well, Yes! We also included my little sister, Marcie’s college located in a small cowboy town, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Another favorite OMA adventure was going into Claremore “on leave” on weekends. That was always fun, including the occasional fights. OMA cadets were much better liked by Claremore girls than by their boyfriends. Carding was nonexistent in a few bars, so we could drink beer there. I will never forget the late walks back up to the hill at night and being greeted by the lone soldier standing on our hillside.

I can still remember driving home the night after my high school graduation, pondering some of my OMA Memories: Not so fun was standing in formations on cold winter mornings watching the sun rise, while only half awake. Yet I loved hearing the bugle play Taps every evening.

I remembered the exciting night that we got to see lightning storms across the sky from on top of our D Company barracks! I thought about how much fun some of our piggyback wars were, trying to push or pull the other horse and rider into the lake. I wondered if I would ever see this lovely campus on the hill again. It was amazing how OMA could accept young men from every walk of life and somehow bond us together in friendship.

The movie, Stand by Me relates that the best friends that you will ever make are the kids that you meet when you are 12 years old. On that that night driving back to Tulsa, I was only concerned with the friends that I had made while I was 17 and 18 years old. I was feeling a little lonely; perhaps I had never felt so emotional before. I just kept wondering, “Will I ever get to see all of my OMA friends again?”

Bonnie Gooch
2022 President's Award Recipient

Bonnie Casey Gooch was born and raised in scenic Eastern Oklahoma just north of Sallisaw — the fifth of seven children. Her father died when she was six years old, leaving her mother to raise the four younger children.

“I keep them close to my heart,” Bonnie said. “We didn’t have a lot of money but were blessed with lots of love for one another.” Bonnie’s family was also blessed with a love for their country. “My family was very patriotic! My dad served in the U.S. Navy, brother John the U.S. Navy, brother Donald the U.S. Air Force, and Michael the U.S. Army.”

Following her graduation from Sallisaw Public Schools, Bonnie attended Oklahoma State University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Unsurprisingly, Bonnie was dedicated to her service as an educator. “I gave my best effort to be an effective teacher by being prepared, having a positive attitude, setting clear and fair expectations, being patient with my little students, and assessing my teaching skills often.”

In 2001, after 31 years of teaching, she retired. “I decided to let someone else have a turn in this gratifying position.” She learned about the OMA Museum in 2011, the same day alumni were dedicating a Cadet KIA Memorial on the Rogers State University campus. Her first thought was, “I wish I could be there for that to honor my brother Michael Casey and the other cadets that gave their all.” Her next thought was, “I think that could be the perfect place to donate Mike’s military memorabilia since he grew to love being a cadet at OMA.”

Bonnie’s brother Michael D. Casey was a Captain in the U.S. Army. On January 23, 1970, he was killed in action while on a rescue mission in Vietnam. Bonnie visited the RSU campus in 2013, and Dr. Danette Boyle and some OMA Alumni gave her a tour of the museum. “We left in awe of its beauty and their hospitality, knowing that would be the home for Mike’s military memorabilia.”

Honorary Cadet Bonnie Casey Gooch has been involved with OMA ever since. “It has always been important to me to honor my brother and others who served our country. Rogers State University is a place that has given me the chance to do that. They have made it a tradition to remember and honor people like my brother Mike. This has been a place to come together to reflect on the lives of those OMA Cadets who served and did not come home. This is why I have loved working with Dr. Rice, President of Rogers State University, OMA Alumni, and Dr. Danette Boyle. Seeing the young men and women in the Gold Program is uplifting and it shows that this idea that we remember those who served will go on into the future years! I salute them and thank all the OMA Cadets that served their country!”

Bonnie lives with her husband Ronald near Honey Grove, Texas, where they raise registered Shorthorn cattle. They like spending time with their son Donald, daughter-in-law Jena, and their two grandchildren Louis and Alayna. Bonnie remains an important part of the OMA Alumni Association through her donations and continuing support. “We consider it a privilege to support and contribute to the OMA Alumni Association and Rogers State University’s Military GOLD Program! I look forward to and love attending the OMA Alumni Reunions on ‘The Hill!’”

Robert (Bob) Wright, '53
2021 President's Award Recipient

Bob Wright came to OMA from the Oklahoma City public school system, enrolling as a sophomore and graduating in 1953 with the rank of Platoon Master Sergeant. During his senior year, he lettered in four sports, leading to his being awarded the Outstanding High School Athlete trophy. That year also saw his platoon, under the command of Lt. Harry Poarch, named outstanding platoon.

Following his OMA graduation, Bob enrolled in the School of Architecture at Oklahoma A&M College, playing on the school’s freshman basketball team under legendary coach Henry Iba. Later, as a senior, he taught a design course for freshmen. In 1958, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the school (which had been renamed Oklahoma State University a year earlier).

Bob’s first job was with Caudill Rowlett Scott, an Oklahoma City-based architecture firm. After being transferred to the company’s Houston office, he was promoted to associate, with responsibilities that included many of the original Space Lab buildings for NASA’s Johnson Space Center and significant projects at Harvard and Duke Universities and other sites throughout the country.

In 1966, Bob returned to Oklahoma City, where he became principal and shareholder with the firm Locke Smith, which became Locke Smith Wright. Now known as LWPB Architecture, with offices in Oklahoma City and Norman, it’s currently celebrating its 53rd year in business. During his time with the firm, he was involved with numerous educational, commercial, public, and financial institutions throughout Oklahoma and surrounding states, including the former Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. He designed OMA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT’S AWARDS projects for Rogers State University campuses in Claremore and Pryor and worked on numerous classroom additions and the high school gymnasium for Claremore Public Schools. While working full-time at LWPB Architecture, he developed a senior-level course in construction for OSU’s School of Architecture, teaching it for four semesters.

He has served as a two-term president of the Central Oklahoma Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), president of the Oklahoma City Downtown Lions Club, chairman of the AIA’s fundraising golf tournament, and assistant coach for the First Tee organization of Oklahoma City, which serves underprivileged youth. He has also been involved in numerous activities at the Methodist Church of the Servant.

One of the projects Bob is proudest of is OMA’s KIA Memorial, which he was asked to help develop in order to honor the cadets who sacrificed their lives for their country. It stands on the RSU campus as a powerful reminder of OMA’s importance and impact. He also established the Verna J. Wright Student Academic Scholarship in honor of his mother, who sacrificed dearly to send him to the Hill.

In 2002, Wright was named an OMA Distinguished Alumnus, and in 2017 he was inducted into the Oklahoma Military Academy Hall of Fame. Upon receiving the latter, he told the crowd, “I am deeply honored to be selected for the hall of fame and share this award with so many on the OMA campus that had a very positive influence in my life.”

Bob Wright is very proud of his family: his wife, Carolyn, and their six children, 12 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

Karl Reynolds
2021 President's Award Recipient

Born in Ardmore on August 30, 1961 to Paul and Margaret Reynolds, Karl D. Reynolds spent much of his childhood in foreign countries, thanks to his father’s involvement in the offshore oil industry. Back in Oklahoma, he graduated from Vinita High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University. (His favorite color is still orange.) On August 10, 1984, Karl married D’Layne, the love of his life. They have two children, a son in Claremore and a daughter in Las Vegas.

After graduation from OSU, both Karl and D’Layne worked as civilians supporting the F-117A Fighter program – before it officially existed. After the program was made public, Karl transferred to its Nevada test site and became involved with the nuclear testing program. Although he never served in the military, Karl is proud of the days he helped support his country with his job.

When the testing program declined, Karl moved to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, taking a leadership position in facilities management. He stayed there, immersed in an environment dedicated to making people’s lives better, for 16 years.

The failing health of his father brought him to Claremore in August 2015. He feels fortunate to be employed at RSU, where he once again strives to make lives better, and is honored to work at a location that was once the home of the West Point of the Southwest. His involvement with OMA- related projects like the Legacy Plaza and bringing the Wall That Heals to the RSU campus has, he says, been “incredibly rewarding.” He is grateful to the OMA Alumni Association for allowing him the privilege of those experiences.

Rhonda Spurlock
2021 President's Award Recipient

The executive assistant at Oklahoma Ordnance Works Authority, which administers MidAmerica Industrial Park in Mayes County, Rhonda Spurlock also serves as the assistant secretary for the OOWA board. Her resume includes 21 years as executive assistant to the president at Rogers State University, where she worked with both Dr. Joe Wiley and Dr. Larry Rice. She was proud to be a part of the growth of Rogers State under these two great leaders.

Rhonda also worked directly with Dr. Danette Boyle and the Oklahoma Military Academy Alumni Association during her years at RSU, where she enjoyed getting to know OMA’s history and people as she worked with Dr. Boyle and the alumni. The rich history of both OMA and RSU is something Rhonda loves to share with others.

She also loves spending time with family. Rhonda and her husband, Curt, make their home in Inola, and their family members include four daughters, a son-in-law, one grandson, and two grand-pups. Daughter Madison and husband Koty Koster are teachers and coaches in Cleveland, Oklahoma, where the grand-pups live as well; daughter Heather Brown and grandson Trooper live in Pryor, where Trooper is heavily involved in baseball. Daughters Cheyenne and Sierra live in Claremore and Inola.

George Proctor
2021 President's Award Recipient

Since January 2012, George Proctor has served as the assistant director of Rogers State University’s physical plant; as an RSU employee, his duties have included day-to-day oversight of the operations and maintenance of area campuses. During his time on the Hill, George has also assisted the OMA Alumni Association in a number of valuable ways. Recently, for instance, he was involved with the planning, coordination, and campus setup of the Wall that Heals, the traveling memorial to Vietnam veterans. He also helped oversee the construction of the OMA Legacy Plaza.

Beginning as a residential-construction worker in the 1980s, George quickly developed a can-do work ethic. His dependability, ambitiousness, and dedication, along with his excellent carpentry skills, soon attracted the attention of employers. Then, seeking to advance his knowledge of construction technology, he returned to Oklahoma State University, graduating in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in construction management.

Following his graduation, George worked as a project engineer, project manager, and development director for various entities involved in both the medical industry and public housing. The latter included an ambitious and aggressive $125 million HUD/HOPE VI affordable-housing project in Tulsa, for which he was project manager.

George lives in the Claremore area with his wife, Debbie, and his daughter Kennedy; he and Debbie are blessed to share six children and seven grandchildren. (Three of their children are RSU graduates.) He and his family spend a great deal of time working within their church, where George has served as head deacon and as a member of a hospitality team. He believes service to God’s people is a the greatest obligation we have.

Mr. Jack Graves
2019 President's Award Recipient

Jack W. Graves is an Executive Director, Financial Advisor, and Senior Portfolio Management Director with Morgan Stanley in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He has been in the Investment and Securities Industry for 33 years, the last 12 years with Morgan Stanley and its predecessor firms. He is the Senior Partner of the Graves Spaeth Group at Morgan Stanley which is made up of seven investments professionals. The team focuses on custom personal portfolio management with an emphasis on assisting clients with obtaining and maintaining their retirement goals and objectives.

Mr. Graves graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1983 with a BBA in Finance. He was appointed by Governor Keating to serve on the Oklahoma Housing Finance Authority, has served as Chairman of the GRDA Lakes Advisor Commission, Trustee for Northeast Rural Electric Cooperative, South Grand Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Board for Wright Christian Academy, plus local Rotary and Lions Club.

His hobbies include farming, blue water sailing, scuba diving, private aviation, skeet and sporting clays, as well as classic auto restoration. He and his wife, Denda, have been married 30 years and have  three children. Their son is a first-year Tulsa Police Officer. Their older daughter will be a junior here at RSU, and their youngest will be a senior at Wright Christian Academy. They live on their family farm near Inola, Oklahoma.

Mr. Albert Eltinge Streeter, '20 (Posthumously)
2019 President's Award Recipient

Eltinge Streeter was born in Okay, Indian Territory on January 23, 1902. His family moved to Claremore in 1912. Streeter is one of the few men who can say that he attended three Claremore High Schools. He attended the last year of Eastern University Preparatory School on The Hill from 1916-1917, two years at Claremore High School 1917-1919 before completing his Senior Year at OMA from 1919-1920 in its first class.

While at OMA, Streeter was a Cadet 1st Lt and the school’s first Corps Commander, Senior Class President, President of the Glee Club, Debating Club, Editor in Chief of the first Vedette, while also playing football as the left tackle (undefeated season), on the track team and a member of the boxing club.

Streeter was one of 60 cadets who lived in tents while Meyer Barracks was being built when the school first opened in August 1919. He also has the distinction of being the first cadet to sleep in Meyer before it was officially opened.

He was one of the organizers of the initial OMA Alumni Association and served as its first president. In 1959 when the first OMA Hall of Fame was established, Streeter was the first person elected.

During the depression years, he worked at the Bank of Claremore and attended the Oklahoma School of Law and Accountancy in Tulsa where he graduated in 1933. In 1934 his father had a heart attack and he quit the bank to work full time in the family business. The Streeter family owned Streeter Dry Cleaning from 1927 until 1963.

He was very active in the City of Claremore as a councilman and Mayor (1956-1958). He was a member of the Rotary Club and served as President, 34th degree Mason, tax consultant and auditor for the Claremore Public Schools completing his last audit one month before he died), as well as being on the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross. He was included in Marquis Who’s Who of the South and Southwest (1976-1977) and had a Claremore Park named after him in 1972.

Albert Eltinge Streeter died on April 11, 1978 and is buried in the Woodlawn cemetery in Claremore.

2018

• Colonel Lee Gilstrap (posthumously)
• Coach Red Rogers (posthumoulys)

2017

• Bernard (B.G.) Jones, ‘64

2016

• Charles Emerson, ‘56
• James (Hap) Sharp, ’46 (posthumously)
• Glen Wright, ‘53

2015

• Dr. Worth Gross, ‘35