Kenneth Sooter

Kenneth Leroy Sooter died peacefully at his home in Welch, OK on December 16, 2014 at the age of 88. His life legacy was epitomized by the love of his wife, children, and teams. Kenneth is survived by his wife of 64 years, Wynona; five children, Lynn Hickey and husband Bill of San Antonio, TX; Mark Sooter and wife Shelva of Wichita, KS; Monty Sooter and wife Mindy of Boulder, CO; Bruce Sooter of Dallas, TX; and Matt Sooter and wife Kristy of Springfield, MO. He also leaves behind 11 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and nephew Jimmie Sooter of Vinita, OK; and nieces Donna Elliott of Bellevue, NE and Roxie Lawson of Welch, OK. He is preceded in death by his parents Elisha and Ella Mae Sooter of Bluejacket, OK and his brother, James Sooter of Vinita, OK. Kenneth was born on December 9, 1926 in Bluejacket, and graduated from Bluejacket High School. He was a WWII veteran serving in the Army in the Philippines and Japan. He attended Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, OK and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. While at NSU he met the love of his life, Wynona Faye Miller, and they married on July 3, 1950. He continued his education at Arkansas University where he received a Master's degree in Guidance and Counseling. After moving to Welch, Kenneth began his coaching and teaching career which ultimately lasted for 37 years. For the first twenty-one years, he coached all athletics. These included varsity and junior high baseball, varsity and junior high boys and girls basketball, softball, and volleyball. He also taught history at the high school level and was the school's guidance counselor. He became one of the most successful coaches in OK that culminated in numerous honors: OK Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, Northeastern State University Athletic Hall of Fame, OK High School Boys Basketball Hall of Fame, OK High School Girls Basketball Hall of Fame, OK Coaches Hall of Fame, 1978 Finalists for National Baseball Coach of the Year, and Craig County Teacher of the Year 1967. The athletic teams he coached won over 3,000 games. During the early 1970's, and until 2012, Kenneth developed and maintained a highly successful life and health insurance business. He represented a number of prominent national insurance carriers and was recognized with numerous President's awards for his annual sales production. Kenneth received many awards throughout his career but his greatest reward was the joy he received from the positive impact he made on multitudes of students and athletes for over four decades. He was always willing to go the extra mile for his students. Kenneth was blessed by the life-long friendships that continued throughout his 64 years in Welch. The many visits and reminiscing by all his former players and friends were described by Kenneth as highlights of his day. He enjoyed reliving every play of every game. His life was fulfilled by his love and devotion for his wife, children, grandchildren and all those he coached and taught throughout his career. A funeral is scheduled for 10:00 AM, Saturday, December 20, 2014 at the Welch High School Gymnasium. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Friday, December 19, 2014 at the First Baptist Church Welch where he was an active and dedicated member. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Welch Public Schools Enrichment Foundation and designated for the Kenneth & Wynona Sooter Scholarship Fund; P.O. Box 129, Welch, OK 74369. Kenneth was a founding member of this organization. Interment at Welch City Cemetery, Welch, Oklahoma.