01-19-24 OKCityan of the Year

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PHIL announces 24/25 season, Page 5

Vol. 57 No. 36 • One Section • 16 pages • January 19, 2024 $1 per copy

www.okcfriday.com facebook.com/okcfriday OKC’s only locally-owned legal newspaper with all local news Serving affluent far north Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills and The Village for 50 years

OKCITYAN OF THE YEAR

Governor Anoatubby’s impact is far-reaching By Rose Lane Editor

BILL ANOATUBBY Governor The Chickasaw Nation

Former OKCityans of the Year 2023-Sun Ann Arnall, President and Board Member, Arnall Family Foundation 2022-Chris Keesee, Chairman, Kirkpatrick Bank, Kirpatrick Foundations 2021-Healthcare Heroes 2020-Debby Hampton, President and CEO, United Way of Central Oklahoma 2019-Bob Ross, President and CEO, Inasmuch Foundation 2018-Kari Watkins, Executive Director, OKC National Memorial and Museum 2017-David Holt, District 30, State Senator 2016-David Rainbolt, CEO, BancFirst Corporation 2015-Judy Love, Philanthropist, Volunteer, Love’s Travel Stops 2014-Dick Sias, Oilman, Vinter, Philanthropist 2013-Robert Henry, President, Oklahoma City University 2012-Carl Edwards, Chairman, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce 2011-Mary Fallin, Oklahoma Governor 2010-Mick Cornett, Mayor, OKC 2009-Clay Bennett, CEO, Dorchester Capital; Owner, Oklahoma City Thunder

2008-Michael Anderson, President, CEO, Presbyterian Health Foundation 2007-Marty Grubbs, Senior Pastor, Crossings Community Church 2007-Lee Allan Smith, Man of the Decade, Oklahoma Events 2006-Luke Corbett, CEO, Kerr-McGee 2005-Tom McDaniel, President, OCU 2004-Burns Hargis, BOK, Chamber Chairman 2003-Christy Everest, The Oklahoman 2002-Larry Nichols, CEO, Devon Energy 2001-Ed Farrell, President, ONG 2000-Dave Bialis, VP, Cox Communications 1999-Marvin Crawford, OKC School Superintendent 1998-Kara Gae Wilson, Metro Tech Superintendent 1997-Dave Lopez, Oklahoma Pres., SBC 1996-Chas Van Ryselberg, President, Greater OKC Chamber 1995-Bruce Buchanan, CEO, Mercy Hospital 1994-Drew Roy, Oklahoma President, SBC 1993-Barry Herr, Gen. Mgr., General Motors plant 1992-Stan Hupfeld, CEO, Integris Medical AND J.B. Ellis, Oklahoma Pres., SBC

OKC FRIDAY: Fabulous at 50

Jo sends paper a birthday card By Rose Lane Editor OKC FRIDAY Publisher Vicki Gourley and Editor Rose Lane received a 50th birthday card from Jo Rowan, the retired founder and director of the American Spirit Dance Company at Oklahoma City University. “You have been my fourth estate ‘flashlights,’” she wrote. “OKC FRIDAY’s many pics and articles were happy gifts to me as I strug-

gled to build the dance department. “You were an important part of our success. I am forever grateful.” The card itself read, “May this year’s birthday be just the beginning of years filled with happy memories and wonderful moments.” “Thanks for the happpy memories and wonderful moments, Love Jo.” Please share your memories by emailing rose@okcfriday. com.

While Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby lives an hour and a half south, his impact can be seen across the miles for the benefit of Oklahoma City, the state and beyond. Governor Anoatubby is OKC FRIDAY’s OKCityan of the Year, an honor Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt said is welldeserving. “I would be hardpressed to name five people who have done more for OKC over the last 15 years,” Holt said. “This is perhaps all the more remarkable considering the fact that the Chickasaw Nation’s jurisdiction is beyond our city limits. “But Governor Anoatubby saw the vision a long time ago that Oklahoma City can be a national capital for Native and Indigenous people.” Anoatubby is the 30th Governor of the Chickasaw Nation, a position he has held since 1987. From 1979 to 1987, Anoatubby served two terms as Lieutenant Governor of the Chickasaw Nation in the administration of Governor Overton James, after being popularly elected to office. Born on Nov. 8, 1945 in Denison, Texas, he is the youngest of six children of Opal and Joseph Morris Anoatubby. After his father died in 1948, his widowed mother

Event co-chairmen Ed Martin and Bill Lance present the Last Frontier Council of the Boy Scout’s E.C. Joullian Distinguished Citizen Award to Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby.

moved the family to Tishomingo the first Chickasaw capital. In 1964, Anoatubby graduated from Tishomingo High School, where he played football and was active in student government. He attended Murray State College in Tishomingo, before transferring to East Central University in Ada, where he earned a bachelor's degree in accounting. Anoatubby undertook additional studies in business and finance at ECU and Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant. During his college years, he also served in the Oklahoma Army National Guard. He attained the rank of staff sergeant and command of a light truck platoon, before his honorable discharge in 1971. As Anoatubby realized his vision of Oklahoma City as a

national Capitol begins with the First Americans Museum and Okana, a resort and indoor waterpark which is under construction, he made those two projects possible, Holt said. “His leadership has also supported our city’s broader renaissance,” Holt said. “Governor Anoatubby and the Chickasaw Nation have supported our ballpark, our Zoo, Remington Park and countless community endeavors. “When I wanted to open Scissortail Park with a free Kings of Leon concert, I knew Governor Anoatubby and the Chickasaw Nation would lead the way in funding the event,” the mayor said. “When my predecessors as dean wanted to move OCU Law downtown, Governor Anoatubby and the See OKCITYAN, Page 2

FRIDAY’s Dogs of the Week Andy Warner’s brood includes, from left, Louie, Coco, Lucy and Peanut. Email Dog of the Week, Baby of the Week and Cat of the Week submissions to rose@ okcfriday.com.


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