In Loving Memory Of

Glen Ham

Glen Ham was born in Maysville, Oklahoma on April 1, 1919 to Charles O. and Stella Mae (Reddell) Ham and passed from this life on January 4, 2005 in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma at the age of 85 years.

Glen's was the son of one of the oldest families in Garvin County. His grandfather, J. R. Ham, moved to Whitebead I. T. in 1887 from Mississippi. He operated a general store in Whitebead and later Maysville. Upon the arrival of statehood J. R. was elected to the first Board of County Commissioners for Garvin County.

Glen's father, Charles O. Ham, was elected to the office of court clerk in 1930 and served for 3 terms. Glen attended school through the 5th grade, then he and his family moved to Pauls Valley where he continued his schooling and graduated from Pauls Valley High School in 1937.

As like most young men Glen worked while attending school. After school and on Saturday Glen worked at A. V. Goodpasture's Shoe Shop in Pauls Valley and at other time he delivered the newspaper in Pauls Valley.

In the fall of 1937 Glen enrolled in the University of Oklahoma taking pre-law and majored in Government. While attending O. U. he decided to run for the Chairman of the 5th Congressional District League of Young Democrats. He obtained the endorsement of the University chapter of the league and went to the convention in Oklahoma City where support from other counties in the district assured his election. He has earlier served as the President of the Garvin County League of Young Democrats in 1938

In April 1942, Glen enlisted in the United States Army and was assigned to the U. S. Army Air Corp. He served over seas for two years and four months, serving with the Far East Air Force in Australia, New Guinea, The East Indies, Philippines, Ie Shima and Okinawa. He was awarded three campaign stars and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one star.

One of the brightest memories Glen had was when the war was coming to an end. He was stationed at a tiny island Ie Shima, when the news came of the surrender of the Japanese. The Japanese surrender party was ordered to Ie Shima. They flew in white planes with green Crosses.

After completing his military service Glen returned to Law School. He held down a full time job and went to Law School at night. He received his LLB Degree from the Oklahoma City College of Law in 1949. That same year he passed the bar and began his Law practice in Pauls Valley.

In 1950, Glen ran for the office of State Representative. He won that election. Glen remembered the first time that he was sworn in the House of Representatives, he was in a body cast from his waist to his shoulder and down his arm. He had broken his arm and dislocated his shoulder while playing in a Pauls Valley Alumni and Pauls Valley High School Football game. "Dr. Ray Lindsey spent most of the night working on the fellows who got injured in that game."

During Glen's second term in the House of Representatives he was elected as Majority Floor Leader, the second highest office in the House of Representatives. During his tenor in the House Glen served as chairman and was a member of the various committees.

In 1960 he was elected to the Oklahoma Senate, during his first term he was elected the Majority Floor Leader of the Senate for the 1963 session. HE served as Chairman of the Senate Municipal Government committee, served as a member of the Senate Roads and Highways committee, the Social Welfare Committee, the Judiciary committee, the State and Federal Government committee and the Executive Committee. Glen represented the State of Oklahoma at the formal and historic funeral rotes of Lyndon B. Johnson.

While in the Senate, Glen Ham fought hard for the current path of I-35. He fought for county government to be put back into the hands of the residents. Better mental health facilities, and against busing children away from their neighborhoods. Glen, though a very busy man with his law practice and elected obligations always found time for the people of Garvin County.

Glen was a member of the American Legion, Pauls Valley Chamber of Commerce, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Oklahoma Bar Association, American Bar Association, The Purcell Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture and was a 32nd Degree Mason.

Glen was preceded in death by his parents, Charles O. and Stella M. Ham; his brother, C. O. Ham, Jr.; two sisters, Thelma and Nita Verl; as well as a host of friends and loved ones. Survivors include, Paul and Nancy Moydell and Matthew Moydell, all of South Carolina, Ramona Garrison, of Oklahoma City and a host of friends & loved ones.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 2:00 pm at Stufflebean Chapel officiated by Dr. Joe Elam. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery under the direction of Stufflebean-Coffey Funeral Home.