The Duncan Banner

Breaking News

Education

Related Photos

  • Earnest Muncrief was presented with the Benjamin Franklin Award, a 55 year length of service award by Darryl Williams Supervisor for the National Weather Service. Matt Tillson

    Serving in 'Ernest'

  • Outlaw Stadium announcer Ernest Muncrief calls the winner of the game ball during Marlow’s Friday night game against Madill. The game was Muncrief's final time to serve as the stadium’s announcer. Cody Bannister

    Muncrief

Related Links

September 14, 2012

Muncrief's death leaves a void in Marlow

Derrick Miller The Duncan Banner

MARLOW — Ernest Muncrief will always be remembered as a one of a kind individual. For many, Muncrief was a teacher, a weatherman, the voice of the Marlow Outlaws.

Muncrief, 90, of Marlow, died Wednesday at his home.

“He was a very good friend and my neighbor. He was one of my teachers in high school,” Darrell Sparks, District 1 county commissioner, said.

Sparks said Muncrief’s death has created a gap in the Marlow community, a hole that may never be filled. The two had known each other for many years and were close.

Sparks attributes much to Muncrief and was saddened to hear about his death.

“He was my ag teacher for several years,” Sparks said. “He helped raise some of us boys. He helped keep us on the right path. He is going to be missed.”

In 2010, Muncrief received the Benjamin Franklin Award from the National Weather Service. The award was presented during a Marlow Lions Club meeting and recognized him for 55 years of service.

He took over the Marlow weather station in the 1940s, after the person running the station retired. When the National Weather Service looked for someone to take over the station following that retirement, Muncrief agreed to do it for the time being. But even 57 years later, it was still a job he enjoyed.

“Probably everyone in the county knew him,” Sparks said. “He was one of a kind.”

Muncrief was a well-regarded Marlow resident known by all ages. And more than likely, people associated him with either Marlow Public Schools or agriculture.

Sparks remembers well Muncrief’s winter battles with breaking ice for the cattle that he and his family raised.

Sparks said people used to go over to Muncrief’s to see if he needed help breaking the ice around his cattle only to be told he’d already done it.

“He didn’t want anyone to help him until he absolutely needed it,” Sparks said.

In the education field, Muncrief was more than an agriculture teacher.

He spent half a century as the voice of the Marlow Outlaws, retiring from the position in 2006. Muncrief also delivered the school’s mail from the Marlow Post Office.

Joe Ligon, First Baptist Marlow pastor, took the microphone following Muncrief’s retirement as the voice. Ligon said there was no way to replace Muncrief; they just handed him the microphone.

“I had the great privilege of knowing Mr. Muncrief,” Ligon said. “When I moved to Marlow, I was the superintendent of schools. He used to deliver the mail every day. And he had a contract (with the school) for a cup of coffee every day.”

Ligon and Muncrief were in the Marlow Lions Club together for many years. Ligon said there is no denying Muncrief’s quality as an individual Muncrief.

“He was such an icon here in our community,” Ligon said.

At the time of Muncrief’s retirement as the voice of the Marlow Outlaws, Tommy Cosgrove, who was the Marlow High principal at the time, said Muncrief was dedicated to the school district and was an important part of Marlow Public Schools.

“He’s been a role model for all of us,” Cosgrove said at that point.

Sparks said Muncrief was active up to the end of his life. He was defending his home against fires just days before his passing.

“He was as good as they come,” Sparks said. “I will miss him.”

Text Only
Education
  • Comanche School Superintendent Terry Davidson.jpg Comanche’s superintendent submitting resignation to help save teachers jobs

    All across the state, teachers and administrators are taking measures to keep their schools afloat after the deep cut in educational funding.

    May 19, 2013 2 Photos

  • Comanche School Superintendent Terry Davidson.jpg State budget cuts push educators into early retirement

    Oklahoma has made some of the deepest cuts in the nation in education funding in recent years, third only to Arizona and Alabama. According to the Oklahoma Policy Institute, “Over the last five years, the state has cut per-pupil education aid for primary and secondary schools by 20 percent, or $706 per student.” At Comanche Public Schools, those cuts translate to $770,000.

    May 19, 2013 1 Photo

  • Crossman Award.jpg Braught receives Crossman Award

    There can be only one. And from 222 Duncan High School seniors and five nominees, Jack Braught was that one.
    Braught was named Friday as the 2013 recipient of the Crossman Award, which is similar to a valedictorian award. The Crossman Award is the Duncan High School’s top student award. The award was presented during the awards assembly.

    May 18, 2013 2 Photos

  • Jack Braught 2013 Crossman winner.jpg Duncan's Jack Braught named 2013 Crossman Award winner

    Jack Braught was named the 2013 Crossman Award winner during an awards assembly Friday at the Duncan High School.

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo

  • 3-28 Crossman Nominees.jpg Crossman Award presentation today

    Today, one of five nominated senior students at Duncan High School will be named the Crossman recipient. The awards event is scheduled for 12:45 at the DHS auditorium.

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo

  • Cameron University School of Business Building to be named Cynthia S. Ross Hall

    The Cameron University School of Business Building will be re-named Cynthia S. Ross Hall, following approval Friday,  by the University of Oklahoma, Cameron University and Rogers State University Board of Regents. Regent Richard R. Dunning, Chairman, requested the name change in recognition of the extraordinary contributions made by Cameron President Cindy Ross over the past  11 years.

    May 12, 2013

  • Honoring mom at graduation.jpg Classmates remembered at B-D graduation

    For the Bray-Doyle Class of 2013, commencement Friday was an opportunity to honor the memory of two classmates whose lives were cut short before reaching graduation.

    May 12, 2013 5 Photos

  • Emerson Elementary joins in Land Run.jpg Emerson third graders learn Oklahoma land run history

    When state education standards change from PASS Objectives to Common Core, several things will be impacted, including the mock land runs performed at several Duncan elementary schools.

    May 12, 2013 1 Photo

  • V-A to consider employment contracts

    Several employment positions will be voted on during the Velma-Alma Board of Education’s regular meeting Monday.

    May 12, 2013

  • Dr. John McArthur.jpg McArthur to lead Cameron University

    On Friday, Dr. John McArthur was named Cameron University’s 17th president, effective July 1, 2013. He is replacing Dr. Cindy Ross, who earlier this year, announced her intention to retire this summer.

    May 12, 2013 1 Photo