ROBERT J. "BOB" BASINGER

Robert J. Basinger, 74, of Sapulpa, died Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2995.

He devoted a large portion of his life to his community in numerous ways. From 1959 to 1960, he was president of the Sapulpa Jaycees and earned the Jaycee Distinguished Service Award in 1959. He was selected as the Outstanding Local President by the State Jaycees during 1959-60 and was recognized as one of the Three Outstanding Young Oklahomans in 1966.

Bob was president of the Campfire Girls Council, Chairman of the Sapulpa Public Library Board, Educational chairman of the Sapulpa Boy Scouts, Sapulpa chairman of the March of Dimes, Creek County chairman of the March of Dimes, drive chairman for the Sapulpa United Way Fund, Exalted Ruler of the Sapulpa Elks Lodge No. 1118 from 1966-67, president of the Sapulpa Area Chamber of Commerce in 1967, a member of the Sapulpa Rotary Club, and served as board member of the Sapulpa Historical Society. He also contrubited to the founding of Bartlett Academy, an alternative education program for at-risk youth in Sapulpa. One of his grandsons recently graduated from that school.

Bob served on the Sapulpa City Council from 1966 to 1972. He served as mayor of Sapulpa from 1970 to 1972.

While still attending Sapulpa High School, Bob Basinger worked at Tyler Furniture and Appliance Store and was employed there for more than seven years until 1954. He then began employment with American National Bank and Trust Company in Sapulpa, where he began as teller in 1954 and retired as senior vice president and member of the board of directors in 1986, after more than thirty-two years.

Although Bob entered retirement, he didn't quit working for the community. From 1987 to 1992, he was the Creek County Election Board Secretary. He successfully ran each one of Ted Fisher's campaigns for the State Senate. He was also instrumental in the planning and construction of three major housing developments in Sapulpa: Meadowbrook Estates, Raintree Woods, and Castle Creek.

Bob, however, was foremost a "family and friends man." He was thoroughly devoted to his wife Trula of 54 years, and cared for her after her stroke three years ago. His first question when seeing someone was usually, "You doing okay?" You could find him on most mornings having coffee with the guys at a local cafe and most Friday evenings eating steak with friends and family at Freddie's in Sapulpa. He was most proud of a perfectly manicured lawn.

Bob was a well-respected man of integrity, honesty and strength. "His word was far better than any written contract," said his closest and dearest friend, State Senator Ted Fisher.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Chloe Julia Plumlee Basinger and Robert Newton Basinger.

Bob will be sorely missed by his wife Trula Glennett Basinger; one son Robert T. Basinger, of Cedar Hill, Texas; and twin daughters Debra Kay Sparks and husband Jeff, of Sapulpa, and Detra Kim Bryan and husband Daniel, of Tulsa; grandchildren Robert Nicholas Sparks, Katelyn Bryan, Kate Olivia Basinger, Barrett Bryan, and Jason Sparks; and great-grandson Aidan Christopher Sparks.

Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, 2005, at Smith Funeral Chapel in Sapulpa. Graveside services will follow at Green Hill Memorial Gardens in Sapulpa. The Rev. Gary Brown will officiate.

Serving as pallbearers will be Bill Berry, Pete Egan, Senator Ted Fisher, Lester Henderson, Elmer Neel, Ron Smith, Robert "Nick" Sparks, and John Wilcox. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Alsup, Bob Archer, Ralph Beasley, Calvin Ellis, Tom Freeman, Tom Hudgins, Jerry Naifeh, and Denny Tyler.

Friends may wish to contribute to their favorite charity.

Smith Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

SAPULPA -- Robert J. "Bob" Basinger, a longtime community leader and former Sapulpa mayor, died Tuesday. He was 74.

Services are set for 2 p.m. Friday at Smith Funeral Home, with interment following at Green Hill Memorial Gardens.

Basinger, who graduated from Sapulpa High School, went to work as a teller for American National Bank and Trust Co. in 1954. He retired 32 years later as senior vice president and a member of the bank's board of directors.

Basinger served on the Sapulpa City Commission from 1966 to 1972 and was the town's mayor from 1970 to 1972.

Basinger continued to serve the community in his retirement years, working as the Creek County Election Board secretary from 1987 to 1992. He also was instrumental in planning and constructing three major housing developments in Sapulpa -- Meadowbrook Estates, Raintree Woods and Castle Creek -- and he successfully ran all of Ted Fisher's campaigns for the state Senate.

Basinger was president of the Campfire Girls Council; chairman of the Sapulpa Public Library Board; educational chairman of the Sapulpa Boy Scouts; Sapulpa and Creek County chairman of the March of Dimes; and drive chairman for the United Way Fund.

Additionally, he was president of the Sapulpa Area Chamber of Commerce in 1967; a member of the Sapulpa Rotary Club; exulted ruler of the Sapulpa Elks Lodge No. 1118 from 1966 to '67; and a board member of the Sapulpa Historical Society.

Basinger also contributed to the founding of Bartlett Academy, an alternative education program for at-risk youth in Sapulpa.

He is survived by his wife, Trula Glennett Basinger; a son, Robert T. Basinger of Cedar Hill, Texas; twin daughters, Debra Kay Sparks of Sapulpa and Detra Kim Bryan of Tulsa; five grandchildren; and one great-grandson.