NATHAN HALE ALUMNI FOUNDATION - Class of 1971 Memorials

If you know of Nathan Hale Alumni that are deceased, please send obituaries,
personal remembrances or other information for our "Memorials" section.

Class of '71 Directory Class of '71 News

Jerry L. Acken	Neal T. Albrecht	Janice L. Askins	Mike Beaman
Bridget H. Bird	Julia T. Brassfield-Shackelford	Judy A. Brennan	Neva J. Burch
Bill A. Caldwell Jr. 2004	Karen J. Cheek	Lee Ann Clark	Louetta J. Cloyde
Linda A. Codrey-Sullivan	Michael W. Coffman	Cynthia "Cindy" S. Davidson	Denny Demo
Mitchell E. Dittus 2003	Bill N. Eyberg	David F. Ferguson	Dana C. Findley-Bishop
Robert B. Gaddy 2008	Steven J. Gallagher	Christopher D. Gardner 1975	J. Michael Garwood
Shaun Gates	Deborah L. Hale	Barbara A. Harden	David L. Hipp
Kurtis E. Hull	George C. "Butch" Karatzou	Mark L. Kearney 2001	Ron A. Koepp 2008
Pamela S. McKinney-Curtis 2006	W. Patrick McManus	Gary M. McNamara	Bob W. Mullikin
Ray L. Netherton	Jerry W. Poplin 1971	Bill A. Sartor 2008	Jim P. Schmidt
Jim P. Scott	R. Greg Seal 2007	Kenneth M. Sears	Donna M. Stewart-Neal
Glenn E. Stipe	Lewis W. Strader	Jan Swanson	Wendy Thomas
Carolyn Tuthill	Jerri A. Wallin-Brothers	Sherry K. Wasson	Ann Marie Wemhaner
Brenda Winegarten	Diane S. York-Wilson 2004

William Andrew "Bill" Caldwell was born November 30, 1952 in Hazelton, PA to William and Miriam Caldwell. After graduating from Nathan Hale High School in Tulsa, he attended Oral Roberts University. Bill spent the years of 1976-1982 as an ordained Youth Minister, mentoring young people in their faith, teaching them about living out that faith in a life of service and encouraging them through the challenges of adolescence. Later, he attended the University of Tulsa College Of Law and received his J.D. in 1986. When he graduated, he was Editor in Chief of the Law Journal.

His professional accomplishments in the practice of law were noteworthy and formidable, but his minister's heart was the core of his being. The devotion that he poured into every relationship will be his most enduring legacy.

To his wife, Debi, he gave 29 beautiful and adventurous years full of laughter, kindness and friendship. To his children, Drew, Whitney and Lauren, he gave wholeheartedly through sacrifice and affirmation, never letting a day pass without reminding them of their abundant potential. He coached many of their sports teams, he knew how to play and hang out with them, and he even became a second dad to many of their friends. Even while practicing law and raising his family, Bill continued to minister by giving countless hours as a volunteer youth worker, teaching, planning amazing events and being a friend to kids. A lifetime of family, friends and young people will remember Bill for the wisdom that he brought into every conversation, the humility that he offered each person who crossed his path and his faith in Christ that impacted and shaped so many lives.

Bill is survived by: his loving wife, Debi Caldwell and children, Drew Caldwell, Whitney Caldwell and Lauren Caldwell, all of Tulsa. He is also survived by: his sister, Yvonne Simonds, Tulsa; a nephew, Nathan Simonds and his family, Tulsa; his parents-in-law, Cliff and Barbara Kuns; sister and brother-in-law, Kelly and Donald Burton; and niece, Lindsay Burton; brother-in-law, Scott Kuns, all of Tulsa; and numerous aunts and uncles in Pennsylvania. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, November 17, 2004 at Redeemer Covenant Church in Tulsa, OK.

Ronald Adger Koepp, born November 9th, 1952 passed away Wednesday October 8, 2008.

Ron was a talented engineer designing and constructing retaining walls for residential and commercial uses. Ron owned Tulsa Tie Scaping since 1975.

Ron is survived by: wife, Debbie of 32 years; his children Ronnie, Heather, Kadie, Matthew; first grandchild, Elijah; his parents, Bill and Mary Ann Koepp; his brother, David; sister Kathy; and several nephews and nieces.

Ron graduated from Nathan Hale High School where he earned a wrestling scholarship to Claremore Junior College before attending OSU.

He enjoyed family and friends, hunting, cooking and fishing in Mexico. Ron demonstrated great leadership, friendship, and family tradition and most importantly good stewardship, believing love and respect is not achieved by words but by deeds. Service held Rose Hill Methodist Church on Monday, October 13th and burial at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Robert Brent Gaddy, born August 8, 1953, and passed away June 2, 2008.

After graduating from Nathan Hale High School, Bobby moved to Atlanta where he became a Cosmetologist and enjoyed a successful career working on a celebrity clientele in Atlanta, Tulsa and Los Angeles. He established an upper end table top store in Westport, CT, that he owned for many years before moving to San Francisco where he spent his final years.

The family would like to give a special thanks to James Girard for having taken such loving care of Brent during his final years of illness. He is survived by: Mary Lind Braman, Dr. Henry F. Gaddy, Daniel Gaddy, nieces and nephews.

William Andrew Sartor, Jr. - 55, died suddenly April 6, 2008. He is survived by his son, William Andrew Sartor III; his father, William Andrew Sartor, Sr.; and his sister, Jan Sartor Smith.

The deceased received a bachelor of science in pharmacy from Southwestern Oklahoma State; a master's of science in management from Abilene Christian University; and a doctorate in osteopathy from Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He retired from medical practice in Seminole, OK.

Published in the Tulsa World on 4/8/2008.

View & Sign Legacy Guest Book

Dr. Richard Gregory Seal 54, passed from this life Wednesday, June 13, 2007 in Stillwater.

Greg was born December 8, 1952 in Tulsa, OK, to Claude and Betty Seal. He attended Nathan Hale High School, graduating in 1971.

He later attended Oklahoma State University and graduated in 1977, with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. He graduated in 1980, from Oklahoma State College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery. He

completed his internship at Hillcrest Hospital in Oklahoma City, in 1981. He received his certification in family practice in 1992 from The American Board of Osteopathic Family Physicians.

Richard (Greg) was proud of his country and served in the United State Marine Corps from 1972 until 1974. He loved sports and he loved to read. He had a family practice in Perry for the past 25 years.

Private family service will be held at a later time. You may pay your respects at the Palmer Marler Carberry Funeral Home, 5106 N. Washington, Stillwater, by signing the Memorial book.

He is survived by: his wife, a daughter, his parents, a sister and brother-in-law and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers memorials contributions may be made to the OSU Foundation or the Oklahoma Educational Foundation for Osteopathic Medicine.

Online guestbook and condolences are available at www.pmcfh.com. VIEW AND SIGN THE ONLINE GUEST BOOK: www.legacy.com/tulsaworld

PAMELA SUE MCKINNEY-CURTIS, 53, passed away Saturday, November 4, 2006. Pamela was born on December 22, 1952, to John
and Eleanor McKinney. She is survived by: her two children, husband, mother, and brother, Larry.

She graduated from Nathan Hale High School and attended University of Science and Art of Oklahoma. She was an accomplished musician that attended The Tanglewood Music Center. She was a professional costume designer, working for American Theater Company for over 20

years and Tulsa Community College for over 10 years, she also worked and was a beloved member with the Tulsa Ballet and Opera. She loved traveling to the beach and to the lake. She will be greatly missed. Service 1 p.m., Friday, November 10, at Holy Family Cathedral.

Published in the Tulsa World on 11/9/2006

I'll never forget the time Jerri Wallin and I were late for school for some reason (can't remember why now!), and we were going to park in the school parking lot. Being as late as we were, there were very few spots left to park in. I can't remember who was driving but we squeezed the car in a very narrow parking space and found it was so tight we couldn't get the car doors open to get out, to get to class. So...being the two smart blondes we were back then, we just rolled down the windows and crawled out through them. Hey, who needed doors?

Jerri died several years ago, but I love that memory with her. We had so much fun. She was a hoot!

Paula Fenton-Shafer, Class of '71

Editor's Note: Paula originally submitted this story for the "Ranger Rides", online car show page, March, 2006.

Street School Director Mitch Dittus, 50, dies

Tulsa World 2/22/03 - Mitchell E. Dittus, executive director of Tulsa's Street School, died Thursday. He was 50.

Mitch was born Feb. 7, 1953, in Loveland, CO. He graduated from Tulsa's Hale High School in 1971 and from Oklahoma State University in 1975. He received a master's degree from OSU in 1978.

After college Mitch worked at Family Junction and Youth & Family Services. He took a job at Street School, an alternative school for at-risk youth in 1982. He became the school's director in 1995.

Street School received a variety of awards during Mitch's tenure, and he and his predecessor, Rick Palazzo, won the Jane Updyke-Walker Award from the Oklahoma Alternative Education Association in 1998. In 1997, Mitch was awarded the Special Issues Award from Oklahoma Youth Services

He served as president of the United Way Executive Directors Association and was the Oklahoma Youth Services First Time Offender committee chairman and a founding member of the Oklahoma Alternative Education Association.

Mitch was a Jenks Recreational Athletics soccer and baseball coach. He coached all three of this children.

He is survived by his wife, Lynette Whiteley-Dittus, Class of '73, two sons, a daughter, two brothers, Tom Dittus, Class of '76 and Jim Dittus, Class of '79, and a sister, Julie Dittus-Forrester, Class of '72.

Christopher David Gardner was killed in a construction accident on 9/25/75. He was 22. He joined the Navy after high school and had recently returned to Tulsa after his tour of duty. He was survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Gardner; sisters Mrs. Diane Russell and Mrs. Sherryl Wright; brothers Barry Gardner and Bill Gardner.

Submitted by sister, Diane Gardner-Russell, Class of '68

Mark Leslie Kearney - Nathan Hale Grad 1971 - 47 years old died at his home, Monday March 5, 2001. He was born December 4, 1952 to Clayton H. Kearney and Beverly Jo Kearney. In 1971 he join the U.S. Air Force after being drafted #1 in the military draft.

February 26, 1973 he married Susie Greenleaf of New Mexico. Survivors include his wife, daughter and son-in-law, brother Stephen Kearney, Class of 1967 and sister, Kathy Kearney-Baikie, Class of 1968.

Interment is at the Fort Gibson National Cemetery in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma.

Submitted by brother, Steve Kearney, Class of '67

Diane York-Wilson, age 51, passed away on September 26, 2004. She was born in Tulsa, OK on July 4, 1953, the first child of Mary and Charles York. She is survived by her husband and a son and daughter. She is also survived by her mother and three brothers.

She was employed as a secretary in the Communications Department at Broken Arrow Public Schools Education Service Center. She was actively involved in PTA for several years and held offices at the local and state level.

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1994, she stayed active to the end. She loved reading, camping, card games and time spent with family & friends.

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