The Duncan Banner

Features

Related Photos

January 21, 2010

Highland welcomes interim pastor

David Laughlin

DUNCAN — Jerry Couch isn�t exactly new to Duncan and Stephens County, but he is the new interim pastor at Highland Park Baptist Church located at 1002 S. 10th St. in Duncan. Highland Park Baptist will host a welcome dinner for Couch.

Couch was raised on Baseline Road, halfway between Chattanooga and Cache. He graduated valedictorian of Chattanooga High School in May 1960. He enrolled in Cameron University of Lawton after graduation.

Shortly after enrolling, Couch met his future wife, Eleanor Laverne Cook of Duncan. The couple dated for more than a year and married Jan. 20, 1962.

He continued his education at Oklahoma Baptist University. While enrolled at OBU he became pastor of Hilltop Mission in Moore.

Couch attended Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and earned a masters degree in education from Oklahoma University. Couch has served as pastor in churches throughout Oklahoma, New Mexico and Ohio. Jerry and Eleanor have two children, Christopher and Brian.

Christopher and Brian served in the ministry. Brian died in 1995 because of heart failure.

Couch has served as Director of Missions for the Mullins Baptist Association in Duncan for six years. He retired Dec. 31, 2009, but continues as the interim director of missions.

Couch felt called to be a bi-vocational pastor.

�I have had some truly wonderful experiences being a bi-vocational pastor. I really felt that God wanted me to be a big part of children�s lives.�

Couch said he has done everything in the school system from driving buses to cleaning. �I have done everything except cook,� Couch said laughing.

�I have enjoyed being in the ministry. I am a people person. I enjoy being with people and ministering to them. I enjoy being with people when they are hurting and when they are celebrating,� Couch said.

Couch will celebrate 50 years behind a pulpit in April.

�I have never had a really bad experience. I have had some that weren�t as good as others,� Couch said.

Couch is happy with the decisions he has made to bring him to this point in his life.

�I would have never been truly satisfied doing anything else beside teaching and pastoring, I have enjoy both immensely.�



� David Laughlin is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 144, or via e-mail at david.laughlin@duncanbanner.com.

Text Only
Features
  • Heartbeat dancers seniors And the beat goes on ...

    For 27 years, Heartbeat Dance studio has been providing young girls the opportunity to follow their dance aspirations — whatever they may be — thanks to owner Stephanie Gregston.

    February 6, 2012 2 Photos

  • Billy York is the instructor for the Choctaw language class located in Marlow. He instructs anyone including young children such as his grandson, Kagen. Marlow man shares love of Choctaw language alive

    Learning a new language is sometimes a requirement loathed by high school or college students, or a necessary task for relocation.
    However, sometimes becoming versed in more than one language is a goal for which people strive.

    January 9, 2012 2 Photos

  • 4-H youth share holiday recipes

    Recipes are from Stephens County 4-H youth’s annual food cookoff held in October.

    December 27, 2011

  • Eastern Star chapter prepares for installation Eastern Star represents good deeds

    As Enid Pickering began writing about the Order of the Eastern Star in 1979, the former Worthy Grand Matron realized she was forever capturing Oklahoma’s history of what was considered the largest women’s organization in the world.

    December 27, 2011 1 Photo

  • Montie and Reba Boerstler 70 years — through love and war

    Although we don’t like them for to, plans can change in the blink of an eye and we must adapt. That is exactly what Montie and Reba Boerstler had to do 70 years ago.

    December 27, 2011 1 Photo

  • Over the years, James Harley Ivy Jr. and his dog Poochie were well known figures in the city of Waurika and southern Oklahoma. The longtime attorney and civic leader died at age 93 on Saturday. Humor, knowledge marked J.H. Ivy’s life

    Kind, humorous and intelligent — those were the most common adjectives used to describe James Harley Ivy Jr.

    November 23, 2011 1 Photo

  • Artful hooby Trio finds hobby is a snap

    A few years back, Karen Slagle was involved in a retirement-charged conversation. While she still isn’t ready to go to pasture, the person leading the conversation told Slagle that when retirement time arrives, she should have something to do.
     

    October 9, 2011 1 Photo

  • Mission to help others On mission to share Gospel in West Africa

    Alicia Pharoah’s first 48 hours in Diouloulou, a village in West Africa, were the most emotionally-charged and draining she’s ever experienced.
    Pharoah, now 33, was on a mission trip in November 2008, to connect with the Jola-Fonyi people, who mainly believe in witchcraft or Islam.

    October 4, 2011 1 Photo

  • Civic leader Ken Jones acts up Civic leader with character

    What shapes the character of a community are the people in it, along with how they contribute to make it better.
    There is no shortage of active community members in Duncan, however, some seem to go above and beyond. That would include Ken Jones, director of supportive services division at the Association of South Central Oklahoma Governments (ASCOG).

    October 4, 2011 3 Photos

  • Duncan Public Library spotlights international selections

    In conjunction with Cameron’s 2011-12 Academic Festival, “Afghanistan: Its Complexities and Relevance, Duncan Public Library is spotlighting books with International appeal.

    October 4, 2011