December 2022

Two years ago, Donna Dyer said she received a phone call from then Mayor Matt White.

“He said, ‘Donna, there are COVID relief funds available soon, collect information for a grant application telling how COVID has affected Blessing Baskets,’” Dyer said, recalling the conversation.

Dyer said she and Blessing Baskets treasurer Debbie Denwalt met with White and City Manager Matt Sandidge.

The meeting resulted in a “great blessing” for the El Reno charitable organization.

The year 2022 arrived, just as many expected. Some of the stories that were reported during the first few months of the new year might be considered routine. Meetings, announcements, etc.

But there were other matters and happenings that took us by surprise. Here’s the first part of our series “Looking Back.”

January

Jennifer Douglas has never mixed words when it comes to losing games.

“Of course I want to win. Of course I was mad we lost. I’m never OK with losing,” said Douglas.

However, the veteran El Reno High School girls basketball coach knows that her team can learn a lot from the back-to-back losses going into the holiday break.

“We lost to Choctaw, which is top four in Class 6A and to Piedmont, which was ranked 11th at the time in Class 5A, and we feel we should have been higher because we ranked them in the top six.

Dodi Ra Ramey of Moore passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, at the age of 59. Dodi was born April 16, 1963, in El Reno to Wayne Yates and Janey (maiden name Erbar) Zullian.

Dodi was always very outdoorsy. She loved picnics and fishing.

Jesus called home his humble servant, Lee Fay Smith of Banner, on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022.

Lee was born Feb. 7, 1949, in Oklahoma City to Kenneth and Bessie Smith. He married his wife of 55 years, Linda Kay Smith in Tacoma, Wash., in 1968.

They were blessed with five children, Tammy, 53, Cindy, 52, Mary Martha, 50, Sarah, 49, and Peter, 45, as well as 17 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Lee owned and operated Lee’s Tree Service for 40 years. His family also owned and operated the Smith Dairy in Banner.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Lonnie Paxton will continue to serve in his leadership position as Assistant Majority Floor Leader for the 59th Legislature, along with some new committee assignments.

Senate Pro Tempore Greg Treat appointed the Tuttle Republican to serve as chair of the Energy and Telecommunications Committee and vice chair of the Rules Committee.

A memorial service for Joseph Conner was held Thursday, Dec. 29 in the Frisco Cemetery with Ron Buxton officiating.

Joe passed away Dec. 24, 2022, at his home in Mustang. He was born June 11, 1946, at the El Reno Sanitarium. He was a lifetime resident of El Reno, graduating from El Reno High School in 1964. He served in the Oklahoma National Guard for six years, earning the rank of staff sergeant.

Joe attended OSU Okmulgee, graduating with a degree in auto/marine upholstery.

He graduated from El Reno Junior College in 1974 with an associate of science degree.

Bert Nelson Rickner passed away Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Oklahoma City. He was born Aug. 23, 1941, in the Concho area north of El Reno to James Gilbert Rickner and Vonda Atkinson Rickner. Vonda married Clyde Thomason in 1954. Grandparents included Sally and Nelson Atkinson and William Bert and Rilla Townsend Rickner, who preceded Bert in death.

Bert was born the second of four sons. The oldest, Ralph, and youngest, Gary and his wife, Nanette are here with us today. Bert was preceded in death by his brother, Glen in 2019.

El Reno High School’s boys basketball program held its annual alumni game recently inside Jenks Simmons Field House.

The Indians current varsity team defeated the team of former players by a narrow 73-70 score.

See Wednesday’s edition for a mid-season breakdown of the Indians basketball team ahead of the tournament in Anadarko set for Jan. 5-7.