J.B. Flatt

J.B. Flatt was born on March 11, 1937, in Cordell, Oklahoma to Jay and Effie Flatt.  He left this world to glory on December 24, 2023.  He was preceded in death by his dad and mother.  He was the youngest of four children all of whom preceded him in death, brother Bud, two sisters Glenda and Lovee Dale.  He attended Cordell Schools until he moved to Dibble, OK in 1952 to live with his sister Glenda and her husband Stan Ward.  He graduated from Dibble High School in 1955.

Upon graduation, J.B. joined the U.S. Navy where he served four years, all in the Pacific area.  After being honorably discharged in 1959, he enrolled at Panhandle A&M College where he walked on to play football; the last time football he had played was as a freshman at Cordell High School.  He earned a full scholarship in his last three years and was elected captain of the 1962 football team.  The 1961 football team won nine games and lost two, defeating Langston in the 1961 All-Sports Bowl and winning the NAIA 1961 National Championship.

He was inducted into the OPSU Hall of Fame along with the teammates of the 1961 football team in 2011 and received the Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2015.

He married Madelyn Woodward in 1961 and after graduating in 1963 they moved to McDonald, KS with their new daughter Melinda, beginning his teaching/coaching career. He remained in McDonald for two years. They remained in Kansas teaching and coaching their son, Bret, was born in 1964 in St. Francis, KS, later moving to Claflin, KS in 1965 and Wilson, KS in 1967. In 1969, the family moved to Seminole, OK where he taught and coached for six years. Son Brad was born in Seminole in Dec. 1969.

He earned his ME from Southwestern State in 1971 and received his administrative certificate. In 1975, he became the High School principal at Okemah, OK, beginning his career as a secondary school administrator. In 1977, he accepted a position as the principal of Blackwell High School and in 1980 moved to Ardmore where he was the principal until 1989.  He received honors as an educator and administrator in secondary schools.

In 1989, he became the executive director of the Oklahoma Secondary School Administration until his retirement in 2005. He spent time traveling around Oklahoma supporting and mentoring administrators.

During retirement he mentored students in the education program at UCO. He enjoyed continuing in education mentoring new teachers.

He volunteered at Will Rogers Airport in the information booth where he met a lot of interesting people in and out of the airport.

He was an active member the St. Luke’s Methodist Church where he was active in Adult Sunday School and served as a greeter for the LifeLight service.

J.B. loved Oklahoma, enjoyed OU athletics, and loved to laugh and have fun with his Panhandle teammates.  Those who were students and those who worked with J.B. shared in his laughter and humor.

He was very proud of his three children and especially proud of and enjoyed his grandchildren, Jordan, Spencer, Makila, Logan and Callie.

He was blessed with many relatives and many special friends. We will miss his laughter and his presence in our lives.

He is survived by Madelyn and his daughter, Melinda and her husband Mike Laird of Cordell, their daughter Makila Laird of Oklahoma City; son, Bret and his wife Lori Flatt of Ardmore, their son Jordan and Kenzie Flatt of Ardmore and son Spencer and Maddie Flatt of Edmond; and son Brad and his wife Carey Flatt of Edmond, their son Logan and daughter Callie.  There are three great-grandchildren, Kinnon and Jackson Bret (JB) Flatt of Ardmore and Taylor Flatt of Edmond.  There are nieces, nephews and many, many friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Panhandle State Foundation.

The Celebration of his Life will be at St. Luke’s Methodist Church in the Christian Life Center.  St. Luke’s is located at 222 NW 15th St., Oklahoma City, OK.  The Celebration will be on January 6 at 2:00p.m.

A memorial donation in his name is in place to the Class of 1961 Football Team and Associate Scholarship with the Panhandle State Foundation.  Donations can be sent to Panhandle State Foundation, PO Box 430, Goodwell, OK  73939 or online.