2015 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Ronald D. Flanagan, Class is ‘57
President and Principal Planner, R.D. Flanagan & Assoc., LLC
A key member of the team that created the City of Tulsa’s nationally-recognized flood hazard mitigation program and has received numerous awards, including FEMA’s Outstanding Public Service Award. Because of his work, Tulsa went from being the most flood-prone community in the U.S. to having the lowest flood insurance rates in the nation. He subsequently contributed to hazard mitigation policies across the nation.
Ron served with distinction as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army, receiving a Letter of Commendation from General W.C. Westmoreland for his design of the camouflage uniform, still in use today. He served in Germany during the Berlin Crisis, two tours in Vietnam as an Advisor and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for Heroism in Combat.
Archie Goodwin, Class of ‘55 (deceased)
Undisputed King of Comic Books
Archie Goodwin was an American comic book writer, editor, and artist. He worked on a number of comic strips in addition to comic books, and is best known for his Warren and Marvel Comics work. For Warren he was chief writer and editor of landmark horror anthology titles Creepy and Eerie, and for Marvel he set up the creator-owned Epic Comics as well as adapting Star Wars into both comics and newspaper strips. He is regularly cited as the "best-loved comic book editor, ever.”
His books are well-known in the world of comic boos, including Batman: Night Cries, Manhunter, Classic Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Blazing Combat, Wolverine/Nick Fury: The Scorpio Connection, Alien; Star Wars Omnibus: Episodes I-VI: The Complete Saga, Star Wars: A Long Time Ago Volume 3: Resurrection of Evil, The Rebel Storm (Classic Star Wars, #2), and Essential Iron Man, Vol. 3.
Roberta Scott Hamilton, Class of ‘60
Recently Retired Public Information Officer of Indian Capital Technology Center
Demonstrating that adversity is an opportunity when she lost her leg to cancer in 1964, the former Miss Tulsa and second runner-up in the Miss Oklahoma Beauty Pageant of 1961, did not let that stop her. Continuing to live a full and active life, Scott-Hamilton’s audience now embraced people with disabilities throughout the world.
Some of the most notable awards include La Sertoma International Woman of the Year, USO Service Award, Arkansas/Oklahoma Handicapped Professional Woman of the Year, Tulsa Community Service Award, National Finalist, U.S. Handicapped Professional Woman of the Year, 2005 Jefferson Award for Community Service, 2007 National Friend of Career and Technical Equity Education Council Award. She has been listed in Outstanding Young Women of America, Personalities of the South, National Register of Prominent Americans, Who’s Who of Women of the International Biographical Association.
Donald “Don” R. Mellott, Class of ‘62
Chairman/Owner HIS Specialists, LLC
In 1970, at age 26, Don became part owner of the first of several companies. Over the next 43 years, he has been a principal owner in five businesses, starting when he and three others purchased Mohawk Steel Company in Tulsa. From 1975-1981, Don started and served as CEO of Aztec Industries, employing 200-300 people during these six years. From 1983-1988 Don partnered with Mohawk Steel, and in 1988 he started Heater Specialist, LLC and remains active in this business today. In the late 70’s through the early 80’s, Don and his wife, Janet Class of ’64), started and ran a cow/calf business in the Tahlequah area.
Don and Janet recognize the needs of people who have had little and have a strong interest in helping young people gain the resources and tools needed to succeed independently in life, with education and support of student extra-curricular activities being two of the most important needs a child can have. They gave the first major contribution to help start Victory Christian Church’s “Tulsa Dream Center,” a 38,000 square foot building that offers after-school programs, summer programs for kids, GED classes, a major medical clinic, and other services. The Mellott Family Foundation, Inc. where they hope to grow their ability to serve as good stewards and gain useful approaches for their philanthropic interests. Don has been a major contributor to the Will Rogers High School Booster Club.
Herald Givens, Class of ’69 (Deceased)
Community Volunteer / Retired business owner
Even as Herald’s health was declining rapidly due to ALS, he continued to support the charities, which have become dear to him over the years. Always civic-minded, Herald had been a stalwart model of giving back to one’s community quietly, but with joy, building friendships while providing leadership.
Herald’s relationship with The Little Light House began in 1979 when he volunteered his services as a photographer. He continued helping TLLH in various ways, including serving as a member of the Board of Directors, and remained a faithful supporter for 35 years. Herald has been one of Leadership Tulsa’s greatest champions since he joined in 2002, serving on their Board of Directors, and is a recipient of their prestigious Paragon Award. He died December 19, 2014.
John Henry Ward, Class of ’66 (deceased)
NFL Player
Upon graduation from Will Rogers, Ward played football and wrestled at OSU, where he was named All-American in both sports. He was a first-round draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings and played twice in the Super Bowl. He later played for the Chicago Bears and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Following his retirement from pro football, John graduated from NSU and spent most of his career dedicated to public service. He was the Executive Director of the Association of County Commissioners of Oklahoma, during which time he was duly named “Mr. County Government.” For a decade before his death John served as Executive Vice-President of the Poultry Federation of Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, managing the Oklahoma office. He died December 4, 2012 after a brave battle with GIST, a rare form of cancer.