Dean Watson, age 82, left his earthly body on July 5, 2025, in Bethany, Oklahoma.

He will be dearly missed.

Dean was a gentle, caring, loving son, father, brother, grandfather and uncle. 

He was born July 31, 1943, in Carnegie, Oklahoma, to parents, Delbert and Nella Faye Watson. He attended school in Mountain View and Clinton, where his mother taught high school English and his father was the principal of the elementary school. Story is they did not “go easy” on him, he would joke it was quite the opposite!

A graveside service for Marlene Walker-Payne will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8 at the Concho Cemetery under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.

Marlene died Sept. 1, 2025, in El Reno.

Citing the need for a “change in direction” within its volleyball program, El Reno Public Schools Athletic Director Rodney Haydon said Kristen Koehler has been removed as head coach mid-season.

“We felt like we needed a change in direction and decided to make a move at this time. We will try to make it as easy of a transition as possible for the players over the rest of the year.

“We want to give them the best opportunity moving forward to get through the season,” said Haydon.

The Route 66 stories just keep coming. 

A native Oklahoman, now living in Arkansas, has created a series of watercolor paintings of scenes found along the famous road that cuts through Oklahoma. 

Joseph Buchanan is originally from Elk City. He earned a degree in Arts Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.