Dr. Bob R. Mooneyham

Dr. Bob R. Mooneyham, born on January 7, 1938, was awakened from his dream of life on earth December 24, 2012, by his Lord and savior Jesus Christ, to live on in God’s kingdom. Bob’s dream of life was filled with many accomplishments and a family that loved him dearly. In his dream, he met, fell in love with and married Norma Jean Griskell Mooneyham “Wife”, his beloved soul mate of 52 years. Bob became the proud father, dad and best friend to Tamara, Cheryl and Robert. Later in life he welcomed son-in-laws Dennis James, Michael Hessman and daughter-in-law, Jenna Freie into the family he nurtured with love, compassion and understanding. As his dream of life continued he experienced the pride and joy of watching his family grow with the birth of five grandchildren, Dacia, Derek, Rachel, Tanner and Sydney. After the marriage of Dacia to Zac Selph, Bob was blessed with the arrival of two great-granddaughters, Makinlee and Zoey. In his dream, he was a devoted husband and father dedicated to providing the best comforts and pleasures possible to his family. He gave his family love and devotion that grew deeper with each passing day which will live on in their memories of a husband, dad and granddad who placed his family before himself. Leadership was the key word in Bob’s career. He earned bachelor and master degrees from the University of Central Oklahoma and a Doctor of Education from the University of Oklahoma. Throughout his dream he taught, coached, served as a guidance counselor, school superintendent, college professor and executive director. In 1975, Bob became Executive Director of the Oklahoma State School Board Association. He retired from OSSBA after 25 years as a very successful executive director, only to be lured back to work by the National Rural Education Association from 2000-2006. Bob made numerous contributions to education including co-founder of the Oklahoma Education Coalition and received numerous honors and recognitions. A few of these include, inductee into the Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame, OEA Friend of Education, Keepers of the Dream Award, UCO and Holiday, Texas Outstanding Alumni, Okemah Hall of Fame, and one of 75 Who Made a Difference in the OU College of Education. During the last six years of his dream, Bob became a cattleman where he traded in his desk for a truck, tractor and other big boy toys. Funeral services for Dr. Bob R. Mooneyham will be held Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 2:00 PM at the First Christian Church in Okemah. Interment will follow at the Highland Cemetery also in Okemah. Services will be under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Home, Okemah with Rev. Doug Hauenstein and assisted by Roy Lee Stone. Online condolences may be made at www.ParksBrothersFuneralHome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bob Mooneyham Memorial Scholarship fund at any BancFirst.

Dr. Bob R. Mooneyham

January 7, 1938 - December 24, 2012