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Mike Holder generally dismissed previous tips from Chris Bahl about some off-the-grid “farmer” who had deep pockets and Oklahoma State ties residing relatively incognito up in Kansas.

“I remember it like it was yesterday,” Holder said. “(Chris) was standing in the doorway of my office and made an off-hand comment about someone in Garden City from OSU.

“I remember wondering what the odds were that Oklahoma State wouldn’t know about someone that close to Stillwater doing so well.”

He decided to find out.

Cecil O’Brate was indeed a man to know, a self-made success story with a history of winning big at business. And yes, he had a history with Oklahoma State in his past — deep in his past, yet still providing warm thoughts and memories.

“I got on the Internet and sure enough he owned a company, American Warrior, and in the bio there was information on his background,” Holder said. “And at the very bottom it said: attended Oklahoma State University.

“I said, ‘Well, I’ll be doggone.’”