2021 POSTHUMOUS LEGEND HONOREES

Our plans were to honor these legends as part of our 2021 program but unfortunately they are gone too soon but will not be forgotten.
Posthumous Legend Awards will be presented to their loved ones as part of the 2021 LegacyKeepersRus Honorees.

CLICK TO VIEW JIM AT ROTARY by Kelvin Brown	JIM PAUL BLAIR APRIL 16, 1961-FEB. 11, 2020 Blair, an Okie from Muskogee, was literally born into the music business, the son of Ramona Reed, a Grand Ole Opry performer and Texas Playboys band member. Blair, a multi-talented performer, who could play anything with strings, had a huge interest in bluegrass music and western swing. Serving as the executive director of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, Jim Paul Blair touched many lives in the music industry, and was considered a civic leader in Tulsa for all the charitable work he took on. In his day job, JP was the CEO and President of the Muskogee Medical Center Authority. Jim leaves a legacy of music, songwriting and philanthropic deeds for the Muskogee Community.
CLICK TO VIEW Ron's Interview with Jim King King of the Road Productions-Beaumont Texas	RONALD "RON" BOREN JAN.24, 1960 -AUG. 20, 2019 Musician, Historian, Curator Boren was a longtime supporter and volunteer at Muskogee's Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, was an early and ardent supporter of the Swon Brothers, who later went to the finals of The Voice and became Nashville recording artists. Boren's main gig was as a drummer, but he was proficient in most instruments, including guitar and bass. He advised an entire generation of musicians and played with Muskogee greats such as Harley Hamm and Jim Paul Blair. His influence cannot be overstated. Ron's legacy lives on through scholarships in music for youth via the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
	DELBERT E. JACKSON, SR. APRIL 13, 1936 to DEC.8, 2020 Delbert Eugene Jackson Sr. Served in the United States Army, where he completed service with an Honorable discharge. Delbert was a loyal and dedicated man who believed in giving back to his community where he served in many positions with his church, Central Missionary Baptist Church and served as a Masonic member of the Trinity Lodge #84, Hira Temple Shriners #116,San Hedrin Consistory #36, served as 33rd Degree Mason, and was Worthy Patron for Cecil E. Robertson, Chapter#50. Delbert was an avid videographer, volunteering to shoot the Bass Reeves Legacy Tour Re-enactments for many years, among other events. Mr. Jackson was very active and well known in the community for his carpentry skills and led several projects for Habitat for Humanity assisting with building homes of love for people in need; and he along with his wife Pricilla served many as members of the Muskogee Branch NAACP. Delbert's legacy in photos and videos will live on in the many lives he touched.
	WILLIAM BARRY LOVE AUG.11, 1955 to APRIL 1, 2020 PRESIDENT and CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF LOVE BOTTLING COMPANY-100 Year Family Owned Company. Love will be remembered as a constant contributor to community causes and events; most charitable events in Muskogee received assistance in one form or another without hesitation. It didn't matter if the organization was big or small, Love Bottling could be counted on. The name on the Love-Hatbox complex is just one testament to the level of commitment Barry had for the Muskogee community. Barry leaves a legacy of love beyond the business world.
	PAUL C. MCKINSTRY JUNE 5, 1954-DEC.17, 2020 Paul was known to everyone as a kind and generous man, who spent countless hours working in service of his church and community. In 2018, Paul founded "Hot Dogs for Heroes" in Muskogee, Oklahoma to honor those who served and was extremely active in the recognition of servicemen who lost their lives in The Tuskegee Airmen and all other branches of military service. At the time of his death, Paul was working with the mayor, Marlon Coleman, to arrange a local coat drive. Paul served God, his country and his community up until the month he passed on. Paul served in the army and completed his service in the Army National Guard in both Wagoner and Okmulgee OK and retired as an army medic. Later he joined the American Legion Post 15 in Muskogee. Paul at one point in his life was homeless and spent a long time living on the street in Muskogee but with his faith and determination he is well known for he rose above it vowing to take care of homeless veterans. Paul's legacy will continue.
	DR.YEE SE CHOA ONG, MD AUGUST 31, 1944-DECEMBER 21, 2020 1st Cardiologist to establish a practice in Muskogee, Oklahoma in 1979. He dedicated his life to caring for the people of the rural, small-town communities in the region. A few years later, he was sworn in as an American citizen with his wife and 2 young children in attendance at the Federal Courthouse in Muskogee. Dr. Ong was a fellow of the American College of Cardiology with an ever-expanding practice which required larger and larger facilities and hiring more physicians and Physician extenders (nurse practitioners and physician assistants. CCOM (Cardiology Clinic of Muskogee)
	VERNELL A. REDO JULY 23, 1939-JULY 20, 2020 Vernell graduated from Historic Manual Training High School with the class of 1958. He attended Langston University on a football scholarship and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Langston University, followed by a Master's degree from Northeastern State University. Vernell was an educator at Manual Training High School and Sadler Jr. High in Muskogee, and at Carver Jr. High School in Tulsa. He withdrew from his teaching career to join the Redo Real Estate business. He was a life member of Kappa Alpha Phi Fraternity; and served as president of the Muskogee Langston Alumni. He was an avid golfer and a member of Muskogee Country Club. Husband of Legacykeeper (2018) Armalene "Toni" Redo. .