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Lester Golding – not your average Joe
B:, Sports
July 6, 2023
Lester Golding – not your average Joe
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR

Joe “Lester-Rack” Golding was a standout athlete at Eufaula (Class of 1936). He and his best friend Clinton White received a scholarship to play at NEO in Miami, Oklahoma before going to East Texas State. Golding then went to the Army where he finished his playing career. Before each of their lives was over they would be inducted into their respected Halls of Fame.

Lester earned the name “Rack” in two ways. When he was a young boy he worked in a pool hall downtown in Eufaula, racking pool balls for customers who would pay him. The other way was that he was so dominant on the football field he would rack up tackles.

Lester began his career at Denison in 1946 as a football assistant and the head basketball coach. He then moved to Wichita Falls one year later and was promoted to head coach after one year. In his 15 years (1947-1961) his Coyotes reached the state title game six times winning four state championships (1949, 1950, 1958 & 1961). His players, frequently lighter than their opponents, perfected his single-wing offense and compiled a 154-24-2 record. Inducted into THSCA Hall of Fame in 1969, he was Texas High School Coach of the Year in 1949. Coach Golding died on July 5, 1979. The football field still bears his name.

Lester’s brother Joe “Junior” Golding was a football standout at Eufaula (Class of 1940). He scored 71 points against Haileyville. He caught the attention of the coaches from the University of Oklahoma. Golding was special. He became the best wingback in Oklahoma’s modern football history, averaging 5.8 net yards on each rush.

Lester’s son, Joe Lester Jr., followed in his dad’s footsteps as he quickly became a terrific high school football and golf coach at Wichita Falls High School and had success throughout his career. The entire Golding family carried strong characteristics of being well organized, well prepared and extremely competitive and confident. And his grandson, Joe Golding, found success as a basketball coach at Abilene Christian University. He followed up a historic 2018-19 campaign with another outstanding season in 2019-20.

ACU earned a berth to the NCAA Tournament for the first time at the Division I level, earning a 15-seed and a first round matchup with the University of Kentucky.

He was named head football coach at UTEP in 2021.

Seminole survives Checotah 34-27
B:, Sports...
Seminole survives Checotah 34-27
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
September 11, 2025
The Seminole Chieftains were lucky to go home with a 34-27 win over the Checotah Wildcats Friday night. Checotah’s penalties that accumulated to over 100 yards. The Wildcats moved the football up and ...
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D is for Duvall
A: Main, News...
D is for Duvall
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
September 11, 2025
When your last name is Duvall then you more than likely wear a cowboy hat, ride a horse and have sat in many rodeo arenas over several decades. So when word got out that the Jim Norick Arena was being...
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9/11 – Never Forget
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 11, 2025
At about 7 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, I strolled into the Las Vegas Sun newsroom where I worked as an entertainment reporter. The room was quiet, a palpable feeling of dread filled the air as the f...
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Checotah FFA earns historic award
A: Main, News...
Checotah FFA earns historic award
September 11, 2025
The Checotah FFA Chapter has been recently recognized in the 2025 National Chapter Award Program from the National FFA Organization. “We are so excited that the Checotah FFA was given a National 3-sta...
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Chief issues executive order to implement Treaty of 1866 Freedmen ruling
By PATRICK FORD SPECIAL REPORT 
September 11, 2025
Muscogee Nation Principal Chief David Hill has issued Executive Order No. 25-05, outlining the Nation’s plan to comply with a landmark Supreme Court decision requiring the incorporation of the Treaty ...
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Meeting of History & Artifact Enthusiasts
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Meeting of History & Artifact Enthusiasts
September 11, 2025
Heartland Heritage Museum and Art Gallery 114 N. Broadway Checotah, Oklahoma Saturday, September 13 at 1 p.m. Don’t forget to join us for an afternoon of discovery and connection with others who share...
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A site out of this world
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A site out of this world
By MIKE BARNES 
September 11, 2025
In Eufaula, a town where gossip can outpace the mail, a story is slowly gaining momentum. It isn’t about the latest fishing tournament or Friday night football, but about a cosmic visitor called 3I/AT...
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Checotah FFA Cattle Grading Contest huge success
News
Checotah FFA Cattle Grading Contest huge success
September 11, 2025
Over 900 students from across the state came to compete in the first annual Checotah FFA Cattle Grading Contest. “We couldn’t believe how many participants came for our first event,” Zachary Ilbery sa...
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Mild weather, just what the festival ordered
News
Mild weather, just what the festival ordered
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 11, 2025
Mayor James Hickman perhaps summarized best when he sent a letter of appreciation to Karen Weldin and the Vision Eufaula Board of Directors for one of the best Wine & Art Festivals held in the city. “...
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Lake Eufaula Out of Darkness Walk
September 11, 2025
Saturday, Sept. 20 On-site registration begins at 5 p.m. Out of Darkness Walk begins at 6 p.m. At Eufaula Cove Pavilion Special speaker, live music, resources Everyone welcomed to walk!
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LEA 2025 Golf Tournament Sept. 26
September 11, 2025
The 2025 Lake Eufaula Association Golf Tournament will be held Friday Sept. 26 at Arrowhead Golf Course, 3657 Main Park Rd. , Canadian. Registration is at 8 a.m., shotgun start is at 9 a.m. and lunch ...
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