Teachers
Here's the latest email from Sue (Reed) Seymour:
JACK SEYMOUR AND SUE (REED) SEYMOUR
When I came to Guthrie in 1960 for my first year of teaching,
I encountered the neatest bunch of kids, now known as the
Guthrie Class of ’61. I think you guys taught me as much as I
taught you. I apologize for your having to suffer through my
first year. I turned 21 that fall and my good experience that
first year was instrumental in my decision to continue a
career in education.
After two years at Guthrie, I went to Southwestern at
Weatherford for five years. Jack got tired driving to
Weatherford, so we married in 1965 and moved to Lawton
and we both taught at Cameron University in the Business
Department. Jack taught for a few years and then moved
into administration and was the Registrar when he retired in
1990 for health reasons.
I took some time off to have our three children and then
taught until I retired in 1993. I completed my Ed.D. degree
from OSU along the way. I also started teaching graduate
classes for Webster University (based in St. Louis) at the
Altus AFB and Ft. Sill sites. We closed the Altus site but I
continue to work part time for Webster at Ft. Sill and have
taught 30 years with them. None of my educational
experience was more rewarding than my two years at
Guthrie—with special emphasis on that crazy bunch that
graduated in 1961.
Jack suffered a stroke in 1990 and wasn’t supposed to
survive. But you know how stubborn he was, and he not only
survived but served as a great example of how one can
overcome adversity. He had previously gone through two
heart surgeries and numerous other health problems. But
the stroke caused him to lose his ability to speak—and you
know what a great talker he was. He developed expertise in
nonverbal communication and was even able to joke as he
always did. He walked with a cane and we did some
traveling after I retired in 1993. He passed away in 1995 but
really had a positive impact on a lot of people in his 59 years.
We now have four grandchildren with another one to arrive
in June. I live in Cache, OK, where we have lived since 1976
and spend time with friends, children, grandchildren, and
working some for Webster. I have had a wonderful life and
the ‘career’ part of it started with the Class of ’61. Thank
you for such a good ‘launch!’
WHEN DANNY ASKED HER WHERE SHE GREW UP & WENT TO
SCHOOL, SHE RESPONDED:
I went all 12 years in Martha, Oklahoma. I was a very proud
Martha Tiger. I played basketball and softball--the only
choice for girls those days. Martha is a small town
northwest of Altus. We had 15 in my graduating class. They
closed the high school about six years after I graduated in
1956 and operated with just grades 1-8 for a few years. The
school building is now a residence.
I know small schools catch a lot of flack for limited
offerings, but our class turned out four doctorates, one ABD,
and one master's degree. Those who chose not to pursue
their education, for the most part, were also very
successful. We really got a good foundation at that small
school which prepared us for further education if we chose
but also prepared us for life.
You asked a simple question which I answered in the first
sentence. See how I get carried away when in front of a
keyboard!
Sue
JACK SEYMOUR AND SUE (REED) SEYMOUR
When I came to Guthrie in 1960 for my first year of teaching,
I encountered the neatest bunch of kids, now known as the
Guthrie Class of ’61. I think you guys taught me as much as I
taught you. I apologize for your having to suffer through my
first year. I turned 21 that fall and my good experience that
first year was instrumental in my decision to continue a
career in education.
After two years at Guthrie, I went to Southwestern at
Weatherford for five years. Jack got tired driving to
Weatherford, so we married in 1965 and moved to Lawton
and we both taught at Cameron University in the Business
Department. Jack taught for a few years and then moved
into administration and was the Registrar when he retired in
1990 for health reasons.
I took some time off to have our three children and then
taught until I retired in 1993. I completed my Ed.D. degree
from OSU along the way. I also started teaching graduate
classes for Webster University (based in St. Louis) at the
Altus AFB and Ft. Sill sites. We closed the Altus site but I
continue to work part time for Webster at Ft. Sill and have
taught 30 years with them. None of my educational
experience was more rewarding than my two years at
Guthrie—with special emphasis on that crazy bunch that
graduated in 1961.
Jack suffered a stroke in 1990 and wasn’t supposed to
survive. But you know how stubborn he was, and he not only
survived but served as a great example of how one can
overcome adversity. He had previously gone through two
heart surgeries and numerous other health problems. But
the stroke caused him to lose his ability to speak—and you
know what a great talker he was. He developed expertise in
nonverbal communication and was even able to joke as he
always did. He walked with a cane and we did some
traveling after I retired in 1993. He passed away in 1995 but
really had a positive impact on a lot of people in his 59 years.
We now have four grandchildren with another one to arrive
in June. I live in Cache, OK, where we have lived since 1976
and spend time with friends, children, grandchildren, and
working some for Webster. I have had a wonderful life and
the ‘career’ part of it started with the Class of ’61. Thank
you for such a good ‘launch!’
WHEN DANNY ASKED HER WHERE SHE GREW UP & WENT TO
SCHOOL, SHE RESPONDED:
I went all 12 years in Martha, Oklahoma. I was a very proud
Martha Tiger. I played basketball and softball--the only
choice for girls those days. Martha is a small town
northwest of Altus. We had 15 in my graduating class. They
closed the high school about six years after I graduated in
1956 and operated with just grades 1-8 for a few years. The
school building is now a residence.
I know small schools catch a lot of flack for limited
offerings, but our class turned out four doctorates, one ABD,
and one master's degree. Those who chose not to pursue
their education, for the most part, were also very
successful. We really got a good foundation at that small
school which prepared us for further education if we chose
but also prepared us for life.
You asked a simple question which I answered in the first
sentence. See how I get carried away when in front of a
keyboard!
Sue
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
