The year 2022 was a memorable one, to be sure, but it didn’t come without its share of loss. Included below are eleven prominent Sapulpans we said “goodbye” to in 2022. They might be gone, but they’ll never be forgotten.
Lon T. Jackson
Lon T. Jackson was such an icon in Sapulpa that there was a building named for him on South Park Street. A World War 2 fighter pilot, Jackson saw combat in Europe and was a lifelong supporter of the Boy Scouts, even winning a “Golden Eagle” award in 2020. He passed away in late January at the age of 98.
Hazel Briant
Hazel “Jo” Briant passed away in March at the young age of 102. Well-known in certain circles for her award-winning quilting skills, continued the practice well into her later years, working often at the loom in her living room where she lived with her grown daughter.
Edmond “Tex” Slyman
Ed Slyman, called “Tex” by most everyone who knew him, was the man responsible for bringing Freddie’s BBQ and Steakhouse to Sapulpa. A consistent supporter of local organizations such as the Sapulpa Chamber of Commerce, Slyman was as much known for his belief in people as he was for his tabouli and egg rolls. Slyman passed away in July, and his restaurant closed at the end of 2022 after 60 years in Sapulpa.
Guy Berry
A family with deeper roots in Sapulpa than nearly any other, Guy Berry’s tireless crusade helped shape Sapulpa into the kind of community its citizens could be proud of. His relentless work on bond issues, economic development, and beautification projects stood as a gain for all of Sapulpa, including a $2 million aquatic center, and later, the development of a 150-acre industry hub near Town West. Guy Berry passed away in November.
Marvin Lawson
Lawson might be best remembered as a founding member of Sapulpa’s legendary “chain gang” in Sapulpa football. The gang was one of the longest-serving and most experienced in the state. Many of the members had been running the chains for decades; the combined experience was said to be well over 130 years. Marvin died in late August at the age of 91.
Denise Belk
Sapulpa-born-and-bred Denise Belk was a deeply committed teacher, winning Teacher of the Year and numerous other awards in her career. Even as she battled Wilson’s Disease, her indefatigable attitude shone through to the end. She passed away in late December.
Theodore McAlister
Ted McAlister was the owner of John’s Pawn Shop and a bus driver for many years before he retired in 2021. He passed away in late September at the age of 84.
Jeanne Scott
Jeanne Scott taught speech, debate and drama at the Sapulpa High School for 40 years. She passed in August.
Doris Yocham
Doris Yocham was a near-lifelong Sapulpan with a rich involvement in a number of organizations, most notably the Sapulpa Historic Preservation Committee. She was awarded the State of Oklahoma’s Annual Human Right Award, for over 10,000 volunteer hours. In 2009, she and her husband Dick won the Sapulpa Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year Award. She died in February at age 95. Watch Doris as she takes viewers through the Sapulpa Historical Society Museum in 2011.
Steve Shibley
A talented athlete who excelled at wrestling and baseball, Steve Shibley coached Sapulpa High School varsity wrestling and later became the school’s Athletic Director in 1989. Shibley coached 32 state placers, six state champions, and ten All-State wrestlers. He was selected to coach the All-State team in 1983. He passed in late January at age 71. He was posthumously inducted into the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in October.
Shirley Bennett Brooks
Shirley was of Sapulpa’s Bennett Dairy family and pursued a career at the Creek County Health Department, eventually becoming its director. She was also a key member of the Sapulpa Historical Society, and she and her husband Charlie donated the streetcar that had been owned by her father to be displayed on Dewey Avenue in front of the Trolley Museum.
