Lee Allan Smith receives “Distinguished Fiji Award” at reception

Homer Paul, Bill Martin, Lee Allan Smith, Gov. Mary Fallin, Bill Rodgers were at the reception where Smith received an award. (Photos by Linda Rodgers).

Lee Allan Smith received the “Distinguished Fiji Award” at a reception in the home of Ramona and Homer Paul. Bill Martin, Executive Director of the International Fraternity, presented the award which is the highest Phi Gamma Delta award.

It is only given to a select few graduates for their work in support of the fraternity and/or their work in their communities, states or nation. Martin stated that Smith “had met every criteria for winning the Award many times over.” Smith is a trustee on the fraternity housing corporation and was instrumental in the financing and establishment of the new fraternity house at the University of Oklahoma.

Gov. Mary Fallin was a special guest. Her son, Price, is an OU Phi Gamma Delta.

Smith is the ninth graduate of OU’s Nu Omega chapter to receive the award. Others were Adm. William J. Crowe, Sen. Mike Monroney, Howard Kauffmann, Louis Trost, Ben T. Head, U.S. Rep. Ed Edmondson, Walter Ditzier and Dwight Mitchell.

Among those at the event were Dr. Mark Sullivan, Jim Everest, Bill Rodgers, Dr. John Bozalis, Dr. Bob Ellis, Dick Ellis, Charles Ellis, Bill Bell, Roland Denman, Homer Paul, Bill Paul, Guy Patton, Rep. Guy Liebmann, Hon. Hardy Sommers, Jim Davis, Louis Trost.

Bill Bell, Charles Ellis, Dick Ellis, Bob Ellis, Jim Davis celebrate with Lee Allan Smith.


Larry T. Byrd Gordon’s Band plays as First Ladies Gather for Gala

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A BEAUTIFUL PARTY
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Gov. Brad Henry and his wife, Kim Henry, were at the formal dinner dance at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. (Photos by Helen Ford Wallace).

The 450 guests at the 2009 First Ladies Gala loved seeing all the hostesses enter the party at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.

The women, Kim Henry, Cathy Keating, Rhonda Walters, Donna Nigh and Molly Boren, looked beautiful in their formal dresses. They were introduced prior to dinner and took their seats at tables which had  veritable flower gardens decorating them.

The gourmet dinner, catered by 61 Hundred Catering, featured a grilled beef tenderloin and a candy striped marlin with appropriate sauces.  There was a three course dessert of strawberry stuffed with a cream cheese mousse, lemon tart and berries and chocolate cake.

Judge Robert Henry introduced board members.

After dinner the Oklahoma City University Spirit Dances, dressed in lab coats and safety glasses, passed out 3-D glasses to everyone. Then the guests took a five minute virtual tour of Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation’s past, present and future.

The video, which included a trip through blood vessels in 3-D, culminated in a fly-around of OMRF’s soon to be built new research tower.

Then the First Ladies and their husbands hit the dance floor for the first dance. Larry T. Byrd Gordon’s Band played.

Proceeds from the party will benefit OMRF.

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One of the table centerpieces at the First Ladies Gala.

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Adam Cohen, Lisa Day and Mike Fina were at the party.

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Malinda Berry Fischer and George Lang.

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Norris and Betty Price arrive at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.

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Pictures of the First Ladies, including this one of Molly Boren,  decorated the hallway.

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Before dinner, Barry Switzer’s pocket television had a few viewers gathered around as OU Men’s basketball was playing.

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Peggy Gandy and David Tarpenning were at the event.
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Lee Allan Smith and James Pickel were at the party.


Lee Allan Smith Day in Oklahoma

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EVENING HONORS LEE ALLAN

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Lee Allan Smith. (Photos by Helen Ford Wallace).

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Lee Allan Smith was the honoree Jan. 30 at a dinner in the Centennial Building at the Oklahoma State Fair. Local and state leaders, family members and friends attended the unveiling of two statues which will be at the State Fair Park, near the Centennial Waterfall, and at the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum.

Smith’s friend Ed deCordova thought up the honor and worked with the Oklahoma Centennial Commission to launch the project and collect donations. The project started with just one statue, but due to the response from those close to Smith, the two statues are set for installing in two of his favorite locations.

Giving tributes to Lee Allan Smith for lifetime service to the state were Barry Switzer, master of ceremonies; Ed deCordova, Tom McDaniel, Clay Bennett, Dr. Mike Anderson.

Tom McDaniel announced the creation of the Oklahoma Heritage Association’s “Lee Allan Smith Oklahoma Legacy Award” which will honor an individual who exemplifies the spirit of Oklahoma’s people and promotes the community.”

Larry “T-Byrd” Gordon and The Music People Luv Band played and the first song of the evening was the Centennial song, “Oklahoma Rising.”

The Centennial Building was transformed into a dance floor, dining and social area and a stage. Off white carpeting was put on the floor and the social area featured leather sofas and chairs. Chandeliers were hung throughout the room.

Among those attending were DeAnn Smith, DeLee and Wendy Smith, Jennifer and Fritz Kiersch, Candy and Tom Dulaney, Nancy and Ed deCordova, Louise and Clay Bennett, Danna and Kirk Humphreys, Jose Freede, Susan and David Amis, Marilyn and Bud Meade, Shirley and Pete Everest, Susan and Carl Edwards, Sharon and John Bozalis, Lyn and Ted Elam, Judy Jordan, Ruth and Dick Lampton, Lou Kerr, Nancy and Bob Ellis, Cathy and Jim Kirk, Lana and Dave Lopez, Jane Thompson, Nadine and Frank McPherson, Marilyn and Jim Law, Wanda and Bill Swisher, Karen and Earl Ingram, Betty and Herschal Crow, Eb Hines, Eunice and Joe Ellis,  Janet and John Edwards, Pam and Bill Shdeed and Carole Drake.
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John Bozalis, Lee Allan Smith and Frank McPherson.

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Ed deCordova and Jennifer Kiersch.

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The Centennial Building at State Fair Park.

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DeAnn Smith, Jennifer Kiersch, Shawn Smith.

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Jane Thompson, Nadine McPherson, Lolly Anderson and Jayne Jayroe Gamble.

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Lamps like this one with floating orchids were set around the room.