REX PRIVETT

May 28, 1924 - December 5, 2013 NORMAN Arnold Rex Privett was born May 28, 1924, in Maramec, Oklahoma, to Arnold Lloyd Privett & Claudia Muriel Privett. "Rex" was the second youngest of five children, with eldest sister, Armand Privett Pitts; older brothers, Norman Bryce Privett and Joe Hauser Privett; and younger sister, Claudia Privett Franklin. Rex attended Maramec Elementary School and Pawnee Junior and Senior High Schools. "Red Dog" played on the Pawnee Black Bears football team and was the point guard on Pawnee's 1941 Class B State Championship basketball team. After completing one year at Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University), Rex proudly volunteered to serve his country in the United States Army Corps of Engineers during World War II, where he spent 21 of his 31 service months in Okinawa and Saipan in the South Pacific. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, Rex returned to OSU from which he graduated in 1949 with a degree in Business Administration. While at OSU, Rex met and married fellow OSU graduate, Patricia Ann Nichols, of Claremore, on August 8, 1947. Rex and Pat lived in Stillwater until he graduated and then moved to Maramec to work on the family ranch and raise their three children, Deborah Ann, Rex Nichols, and Patricia Michelle. Rex actively worked as a rancher for 25 years. During that time, he was elected to serve in the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 1956 by the citizens of Pawnee County and portions of Osage, Payne and Noble Counties. He proudly represented District 35 for the next 16 years. During his tenure, Rex served four years as Speaker Pro Tempore and in 1967, was selected by his colleagues as Speaker of the House. He served as Speaker for six years, the first in Oklahoma's political history to preside over three consecutive legislative sessions. After the 1972 legislative session, Rex retired from the Legislature. He was elected to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission that same year with the most votes ever received by a candidate for statewide office at that time. He served on the Commission for the next six years, serving as its Chairman in 1975. As a result of a fire in December that destroyed their Pawnee ranch home, Rex and Pat decided to move their family to Norman in January 1976. After leaving the Corporation Commission, Rex was appointed by Governor George Nigh as State Gasohol Coordinator and later, worked for First National Bank of Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma Bankers Association as its Vice President of Governmental Affairs. In 1982, Rex was named Executive Director of the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1995. Throughout his career in public service, Rex was universally known and highly regarded for his leadership, honesty, humility, work ethic, genuine kindness, unquestionable integrity, strong character and his unwavering commitment and dedication to serve the best interests of the people of the state of Oklahoma. Rex exemplified what it means to be an Oklahoman. Upon retirement, Rex continued his passion for public service through his active participation with Pat in multiple community organizations. These include Meals on Wheels, Salvation Army, Retired Senior Voluntary Programs, Volunteers in Missions, Norman Regional Hospital Gift Shop and Hospitality House. He was very active in his church, McFarlin Memorial United Methodist of Norman, serving as Chairman of the Administrative Board, founding member of the Foundation Board, as well as several other committees and boards. Rex's greatest pleasure in life was derived from exploring the world with his best friend, Pat, and spending time with his loving family. Whether skiing at Lake Pawnee or Lake Keystone, snowmobiling in Wyoming, para-sailing in Bali, zip-lining in Haiti, white water rafting in Colorado, or cooking Thanksgiving dinner at home for 50 or more in-laws, Rex was the ultimate proud and cherished patriarch, husband, father, brother, uncle, grandpa and "Papa." The Honorable Rex Privett was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Muriel; sister, Armand Pitts; and brothers, Bryce and Joe. Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of 66 years, Patricia; his daughter, Debi, and husband, Jim Fletcher, of Guymon; son, Nick, and his wife, Tracy, of Edmond; daughter, Trish, and her husband, Barry Koonce, of Norman; sister, Claudia Franklin, of Oklahoma City; Privett grandchildren: Michael and his wife Tasha, of Oklahoma City; Benjamin, of Tuttle; Jeremy and his wife Kim, of Moore; Jennifer, of Oklahoma City; Andrew, of Edmond; Koonce grandchildren: Katie, Gracie, and Lizzie, all of Norman; five beautiful great-grandchildren; and many wonderful cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and other loved ones. In Memoriam, donations to honor the life of Rex Privett may be made to McFarlin Hospital Rose Fund, c/o McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church, 419 S University Blvd, Norman, OK 73069, Attn: Hospital Rose Fund. Services are 10 a.m. Wednesday, December 11, 2013, at McFarlin United Methodist Church, 419 S. University Blvd., Norman, OK 73069.