In Their Own Words… Co-Workers Remember Ken Huckins

We hear keys jingling and anticipate your impish grin. We brace ourselves for your latest mischief. Instead, another employee appears, and we sadly remember that you are gone.
We sense your presence lurking around the corner, waiting to startle us, ready to pull yet another prank. We think of your unmerciful teasing and realize that was your way of connecting. Arising to the occasion you communicated volumes using one of your favorite sayings.
Looking for the white truck pulling a trailer, we envision you wearing that familiar safari hat. Then we spot the rig parked up the hill near your home. The sight amplifies the fact that you are gone.
In our memories, we see you purposefully stride across the room, intent on a mission. We wonder how you maintained that special lilting bounce when you walked at such a fast clip. Places to go, people to see! Still, you were never too busy to acknowledge the little ones in our lobby, affectionately calling the little girls “George.” Yes, you were liberal with your nicknames, and we had a few pet names for you, too!
When you became Mayor of Guymon we gave you heck. We knew that you were serving because you wanted to make a difference. But, we used it for our get-even moment as we bowed in homage and presented the tacky Panhandle bouquet.
You led by good example. The quote on your office wall sums it up, “Leadership is Action, not position.” Though you were a supervisor, no job was beneath you. You saw the need and went to work. It didn’t matter if it was moving furniture, unstopping a toilet, or cleaning graffiti off the retaining wall. (Who will do the dirty jobs now?)
You were not one for fanfare or fuss. You were not the White Knight charging to the rescue in time of crisis. You were the Knight remaining to help when the dust had settled and others had gone their way.
You were the big brother and the substitute father. You were the shoulder for the widow to lean on. Aware of the need, you calmly offered a solution. You used your connections to help others find affordable homes to call their own. Whether it was investments, cars, housing, or personal matters, you shared wisdom and knowledge far beyond your 47 years.
Fair, honest, blunt, funny, ornery, capable, friendly, hard-working, trustworthy, reliable, impartial, never stopping, protective, and ALWAYS helping…that was you. Now, you are gone…but not forgotten.