I need to start this report with some sad news...Earl Bottom out in Elk City became a Silent Key on Sunday, June 23rd. Earl was a mover and shaker in Amateur Radio in western Oklahoma. He connected your section leadership with Rep. Frank Lucas for a 1 on 1 sitdown. Earl has also been the ramrod for the Elk City Hamfest. In addition to being my right hand in western Oklahoma, he was a very busy man as you will see in his obit.....

Earl Grayson Bottom, 62, of Hammon, Oklahoma entered this world on September 8, 1956, and passed June 23, 2019, after a brave and courageous battle with cancer. Earl was a long-time cattle rancher and was well known throughout Western Oklahoma. Earl frequently volunteered his time and served many worthy causes. He was a ham radio enthusiast and cherished friend of many.
Earl served many prominent roles in the community, including President of the Hammon High School Alumni Association. He was an active member and former President of the Cattlemen’s Association of Roger Mills County, a member of the Elk’s Lodge of Elk City, and he served as a Red Cross volunteer and certified CPR Instructor. He was active for many years as a leader and mentor in the Boys Scouts of America. Some of his honors and activities in scouting include: District Award of Merit, Council Coordinator for the Philmont Scouting Program, Western Plains Day Camp Director and Co-Director for many years and served on numerous Wood Badge courses. Earl was the Game Day Coordinator of the Scouting Usher program at the OU football games where he established many long-time friendships among fans who sat in the South end zone. Because of his immense impact on the young men he led, Earl was recognized with the Silver Beaver Award, one of Boy Scout’s highest awards. Ham radio enthusiasts far and near knew Earl as N5NEB after the many late-night radio chats and ham fests he helps organize and attend. Earl, who earned his ham license in the late 1980’s, served in the past as the West Central Oklahoma Amateur Radio Club President. He was the leader of the Possum Trappers, a group which talked every night and met yearly for a reunion which Earl organized. In recent years, Earl had become an ardent supporter of the Oklahoma City Thunder and rarely missed watching a game from his seat in Section 206. Earl truly enjoyed life and had a servant’s heart!
Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at A.G. “Buck” Creach Memorial Auditorium, Hammon, Oklahoma. Tom Harguess will be officiating, and Dolan Ivey will assist. Interment will be in Red Hill Cemetery, Hammon, Oklahoma. Services have been entrusted to the care of Martin-Dugger Funeral Home in Elk City, Oklahoma.
Cherishing his memory is his mother, Allene Bottom; sisters, Paula Stafford and husband, Jim of Edmond, Oklahoma, JoAnn Reynolds and husband, Jeff of Walker, Louisiana; brother, Allen Bottom and his wife, Jane of Mansfield, Texas; nephew, Jake Reynolds and his wife, Hailey of Walker, Louisiana, Daniel Bottom and Michael Bottom both of Mansfield, Texas, Ryan Stafford of Denton, Texas; niece, Sarah Stafford of Edmond, Oklahoma; great-niece, Eleanor Reynolds of Walker, Louisiana; great-nephew, Solomon Stafford of Edmond, Oklahoma; aunt, Earlene Callen and husband, Jim of Winnsboro, Texas; and many cousins as well as close family friends, Alvin and Robin Williams of Clinton, Oklahoma, Brenda Archer of Hammon, Oklahoma..
He is preceded in death by his father, George Grayson Bottom; maternal grandparents, A.D. and Buena Stewmaker; paternal grandparents, Elwood and Annie Bottom.
Memorials can be made to the Boy Scouts of America Troop #144 in care of Martin-Dugger Funeral Home, P.O. Box 707, Elk City, Oklahoma 73648.
Online condolences can be sent to the family by using the online guest book at www.martin-duggerfuneralhome.com.

Earl will be missed.

Now, for more upbeat news.....Hamvention was GREAT!! My son Christopher, N5CMO and I had a wondeful time. I got my new amp and some crimp on 213 and 8X connectors to try.

Ths year's Ham-Com was one of the best in recent years. I got to spend some time getting to know the new CEO, Howard Mickle, WB2ITX. He has some great ideas to help bring the league along into the 21st century. I like him.

Our Director, John Stratton, N5AUS, will be having discussions with all the club presidents in the section sometime in September or October. I'll be letting you know when and where.

Michael Dean, K5MFD got a Proclamation from Governor Kevin StittI About Amateur Radio Week and Field Day....Thanks Michael!

i hope your Field Day went well, even if the bands kinda SUCKED! We at least had good fun and fellowship here in Stillwater. I didn't go on a tour this year. I felt like I needed to stay home and work with my home club. I would like to thank everyone that invited me to come to their club. Next year, we'll hit the road again.

Finally, don't forget Ham Holiday, July 26 & 27..the guest speaker is Carole Perry, WB2MGP. Carole has run the youth forum at Dayton for years. Be thinking Mentors/Elmers.

Till Ham Holiday,

73

Kevin O'Dell, N0IRW

Oklahoma Section Manager