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OWEN WILLENBORG
NORMAN HIGH SCHOOL
Recent sports or academic highlight?
A recent sports highlight was beating Norman North in the finals of the Ardmore Tournament to take first place. It was an awesome team win and a great moment for all of us.
Personal highlights?
I play varsity tennis for Norman High School, and my parents are Dave and Stacey Willenborg. Outside of tennis, I love spending time with my family and friends, and I never miss a chance to hang out with my dog.
How do you maintain balance?
To stay on top of everything, I always keep track of my assignments and make sure I know how my school schedule lines up with my practices and matches. I prioritize school first—getting my work done on time helps me stay focused when I’m on the tennis court.
Plans for the future?
This fall, I’ll be attending the University of Florida, where I plan to major in Chemical Engineering. I’m excited for what’s ahead!
Turning Setbacks into Comebacks
James Bond, MD
Ted Boehm, MD
Brian Clowers, MD
Carl Fernandes, MD
Richard Kirkpatrick, MD
Zakary Knutson, MD
Jeremiah Maupin, MD
Mark Moses, MD
Aaron Smathers, MD
Joshua Wilson, MD
J’R NEY JOHNSON
NORMAN HIGH SCHOOL
Recent sports or academic highlight?
I was recently accepted into the University of Oklahoma—with a ton of scholarships that cover almost my entire first year!
Personal highlights?
My mom is Adrianne Johnson. I run track and I dance! I’m also super into music and love researching new things just for fun
How do you maintain balance?
I do my best to keep everything organized—due dates, appointments, and track meets. Juggling it all can definitely get tough sometimes, so I make sure to take a step back every now and then to avoid burning out.
Plans for the future?
I plan to attend the University of Oklahoma and double major in Biomedical Sciences and Early Childhood Education. I’m hoping to become either a pediatrician or a teacher!
Welcome to Our Men’s Issue!
We've profiled a number of amazing men who live and work here, as well as written stories on a myriad of largely male-oriented topics, since launching Cleveland County City Lifestyle in February 2016.
In this, our Men's Issue, our cover story is about a local firefighter who was recently presented an award for acts of bravery that took place last September during Hurricane Helene. With the help of a team member, Norman Fire Department driver/engineer Levi Mulder used his swift-water rescue skills to save the life of a woman whose house was swept away in Tennessee's swollen Nolichucky River, coming to rest momentarily on some downed trees, risking their own lives in the process. Read Levi's harrowing account of the rescue starting on p. 18.
You'll also hear from John M. Ireland, who represents the second of a three-generation family business started by his father. “Our mission is to provide compassionate, professional service at the most reasonable prices—with a personal touch," he shares. See story, p. 28.
We gave a librarian with the Pioneer Library System an assignment for our June Men's issue: write a book review for us that either is written by a man or is about a man; he bested us by writing a book review about men written by men! You'll recognize all or most of the authors, and like me, I'm guessing many readers (women as well as men) will want to check out (pun intended!) some or all of them. They should all make great summer reads!
Here's to the start of a beautiful summer! Happy reading!
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inside the issue
JUNE
Departments
Miracle on the Nolichucky River
Local Responder Takes Part in Harrowing River
Books By, About Men
Librarian Reviews Works on Boxing Legend, Award-winning American Novelist, Roman Emperor/ Philosopher and Celebrity Chef
Compassionate, Professional Service Found Here
John M. Ireland & Son Funeral Home: A Three-Generation
Norman
Department driver/engineer Levi Mulder and Brent Koeninger following a Committee of 100 award presentation, at which Levi was recognized with the William Hulsey Award for acts of bravery during Hurricane Helene. Page 18.
city scene
1-10: The South Oklahoma City Chamber honored outstanding educators and students at its annual Excellence in Education Banquet April 3 at the Moore Norman Technology Center. See Business Brief, page 14, for a complete listing of award winners. 1: Student of the Year AJ Brennan, Moore High School, with Elaine Lyons, SOKC Chamber 2: Donta Stepeny, Metro Technology Centers Teacher of the Year; Angel Sadoval, MTC Student of the Year; Aaron Collins 3: Administrator of the Year Chealsi Conley, Southmoore High School, and Karl Hillerman, MidFirst Bank 4: High School Teacher of the Year Lauren Schwartz, Cristo Rey OKC Catholic High School, and Jacob Hunter 5: Elementary Teacher of the Year Kathryn Duncan, South Hills Elementary, with Jace Kirk 6: Moore Norman Technology Center Student of the Year Jade Jessup; MNTC’s Glen Cosper and Brian Ruttman 7: Middle/Junior High Teacher of the Year Heather Armstrong, Southridge Junior High, and Monica Paris-McFarland, Sovereign Bank
8: U.S. Grant High School Alumni Scholarship recipient Nohelia Gonzalez, Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommie Johnson 9: MNTC Teacher of the Year Christine Crawley-Woodard; Glen Cosper, Brian Ruttman 10: Arvest Bank Scholarship recipient Dawson Fuller; Ryan Cross, Arvest Bank
Photography
1-3: Men of all ages and sizes are invited to start their personal fitness journey at Solid Rock Training, 4310 48th Ave. NW, in Norman. Members receive personalized fitness and nutrition coaching in a fun setting. Call 405.928.0625 for more information. 1: Teddy Lost 60 lbs, lost 15% body fat, and reports improved mental health. 2: Michael lost 40 lbs of body fat, down 7 visceral fat levels, and saw improved mental health. 3: Kendral has lost 60 lbs, 15% body fat; reduced joint pain; and has more energy.
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TAG YOUR INSTAGRAM PHOTOS WITH @CITYLIFESTYLE_CLEVELANDCOUNTY
business monthly
Chamber Honors Outstanding Educators, Students
In City Scene (p. 10), some of the South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce’s Excellence in Education Banquet award winners are pictured. Others included: Women of the South High School Scholarships: Carrie Dodson, Lamiyah Hair, Southmoore High School; Stacy Carnero, Kiley Collins, Westmoore High School; Nayeli Rojo-Chavez, Southeast High School | South Oklahoma City Walmart Supercenter Scholarship (pictured): Steven Luna, Cristo Rey OKC Catholic High School, and AJ Brennan, Moore High School
Scan to read more
Soonercon 33: Gateway to the Galaxy Coming to Norman
Soonercon 33: Gateway to the Galaxy, Oklahoma's longest-running and premier pop culture convention, will be held June 20-22 at 2501 Conference Drive, Norman. Soonercon is a nonprofit event put on by the 501(c)3 Future Society of Oklahoma. FSOK's mission is promoting arts, literature, and the sciences through the lens of pop culture. Events for both adults and children will be offered. FMI (including admission costs) see their Facebook entry in Events.
The Ultimate Care for Your Ultimate Smile
Summer Learning Challenge ... Ready, Set, Go!
The Pioneer Library System's annual Summer Learning Challenge is continuing through Aug. 15. Every completed Summer Learning Challenge contributes to books donated to the community! For each participant who reaches their 1,000-point goal, PLS and the Pioneer Library System Foundation will donate books to community health organizations, helping to expand access to reading materials for families across the region. So what are you waiting for?! Let's read and help our neighbors, near and far!
Dr. Roberta Wright
Dr. Lars Bouma
Miracle on the NOLICHUCKY RIVER
LOCAL RESPONDER TAKES PART IN HARROWING RIVER RESCUE DURING HURRICANE HELENE
ARTICLE BY JERRI CULPEPPER
Levi Mulder and Brent Koeninger following the Committee of 100 award presentation (Photo by Jenn Mulder)
A first responder with the Norman Fire Department was recently presented with an award for acts of extraordinary bravery incurred while en route to North Carolina to help save lives during Hurricane Helene, the devastating tropical cyclone last September that caused catastrophic damage and numerous fatalities across the Southeastern United States.
I recently talked by phone about that harrowing experience with NFD driver/engineer Levi Mulder, who on March 27 was presented with the Committee of 100’s William Hulsey Award during a ceremony in Oklahoma City. The Committee of 100 (Committeeof100ok.org), an agency honoring Oklahoma’s first responders since 1976, bestows the award to individuals for a “display of heroism above and beyond the call of duty in a life-threatening situation.”
Levi looks upon the successful deployment as miraculous, involving not one, not two, but multiple instances of events occurring at the exact instant required to assure they could continue the next step in their rescue efforts.
Levi, along with others in his and other OKC metro fire departments, were sent on the search and rescue mission through Oklahoma Task Force One (OKTF-1-OKC), a specialized urban search and rescue unit composed of firefighters throughout the metro and state. They (and their counterparts nationwide) are deployed as needed across the U.S. during major disasters, including hurricanes, tornadoes and building collapses. (OK-TF1-Tulsa was deployed to Florida.)
Late in the evening of Sept. 25, Levi recalls, he and the other members of the OKTF-1 swift-water rescue team begin their road trip to North Carolina. The convoy of five trucks and five trailers with rescue boats, a communications truck and trailer (command trailer) and a trailer carrying ATVs and large supply trailer, intercepts heavy rains and floods along the way.
Crossing from Tennessee into North Carolina on the 27th, they are warned that the interstate ahead is washed out, so they attempt a turnaround. Levi said he heard later that, nine to 10 minutes after they turned around, that portion of the interstate actually collapsed.
“So, we rallied back together and head north to find an alternate route over the mountains and into North Carolina, seeing tremendous flooding along the way. I remember seeing a very old church in Embreeville, Tennessee, which is located alongside the Nolichucky River, that was surrounded by flood waters, despite its location on a hill. [Ed.’s Note: Interestingly, the river, which runs through western North Carolina and East Tennessee, is nicknamed “The River of Death,” both for being dangerous and its history of floods.]
“As we make the curve, about to leave Tennessee and enter North Carolina, a law enforcement officer flags us down and tells us that the road ahead is washed out. We could see houses floating down the river along the highway.
“We attempt to turn our trucks and trailers around on the twolane highway (that is a story in itself), but just as we do that, we were approached by a member of the local fire department, which actually has its own swift-water team; they tell us we are now trapped because the road is washed out on both sides. They request our help, and our task force leader agrees.
“They told our task force leader that one house had just floated past with a woman still hanging on to it, but that they had to focus their efforts on saving those people stranded on their still-stationary, but endangered, homes.”
Some of the unit, Levi said, went to try to help those stranded on stationary houses, while he joined others on his task force to see if they can help the woman on the house that has been swept downstream.
Levi explains that, in most cases, when a house is swept into floodwaters, a rescue isn’t possible because the structure generally just disintegrates upon hitting some large object in the water. And once in the water, which is filled with everything from trees to propane tanks to chicken coops, one’s chances of surviving are almost nil.
Miraculously, he said, this house had come to rest, still in one piece, against a massive tree. After a quick assessment by Levi’s group and the local swift-water rescue team, they decide the best chance of rescue is to motor the boat to an area behind the house, where an eddy had formed.
Levi volunteers to attempt the rescue. He is joined by Brent Koeninger, one of Levi’s fellow task force members.
Levi manages to steer the boat to the eddy behind the house, where they can still hear the woman screaming for help, though they have yet to determine her location. As they get into position, they hear a series of bangs and popping, at which point they realize the house is coming apart.
“Brent warns me to back out, and as we do so, the house comes apart,” Levi recalls. “There’s just so much stuff in the water…it’s not survivable. In that moment—there’s no time to think—we realize our options are to go right, to the shore and safety, knowing that if she falls into the water, she will be on the other side where we won’t be able to retrieve her.
“Instead, we take the second option, and move away from the shore and downstream, where there may be a chance of rescue. Downstream, the boat is fighting just to maintain its location. We are just hoping that when the house disintegrates, she will come out in our direction—and she does; she pops up out of the water only about 20 yards directly upstream from us.”
Levi and Jenn Mulder with sons Jacob, 7, and Noah, 10 (Photo by Shauna Bernhardt)
Levi pauses in the telling of this incredible story, searching for words to describe what comes next.
“Holy moly! She was in the ‘right’ spot—on her front porch rather than the back porch or in the attic or rooftop—and when the house goes, the water propels her right under the house to a spot near us. Brent grabs her … this was one of the toughest things we did—he grabs her arms, while pulling her up by her legs, while also attempting to steer the boat.
“We get her in, and have about 5 to 10 seconds of feeling great when we lose the motor. We shoot backward with the current, into an eddy around some massive trees. Brent throws a rope around a tree to hold us there while we troubleshoot the motor.
The woman, Vickie, was super tough; she went from praying to helping out however she could. She was all in.”
About that time, the house hits the tree to which they’re attached.
“Part of the roof slides under us and finally stops. Now the boat motor is way down in the water, and we are now on the roof trying to push it off. There’re lots of vines and leaves. We can’t figure it out at first—until we realize we are actually in the canopy of a 50-foot-tall or so tree.
“Meanwhile, other members of the task force on the shore are unable to see us. They can’t tell what’s going on, other than what we can convey via radio.
“A few minutes later, something big hits the tree, and it rolls the roof out from under us, putting us back into the water,” Levi recalls.
Then they hit another snag.
“I realized there’s a hoodie caught in the prop, so I use a knife to try to cut it…difficult since it’s wet and twisted. It takes a while, what seems like forever. Finally, the knife cuts through, and the boat is released.”
While working to cut the hoodie out of the propeller, which entails turning off the motor to keep it from overheating, he realizes the prop blades have been warped, which means he will need to reduce thrust upon restarting.
It takes some time to free themselves, as the tree is now across the boat. We need to physically pull the boat out of the trees and the debris caught in the trees, and we then pull toward the shore— at which point, I knew the danger would ramp up even more.”
Levi shares that, throughout the rescue, he’d experienced a quite normal level of anxiety and fear, but it was at that moment that his fear became truly acute.
“We shared names, and I tried to give Vickie a crash course on emergency swimming, let her know that the guys on shore would be throwing ropes at her, and so on. That was when Brent (he later told me) realized that I was getting prepared for the worst.
“The scariest part, at least for me, was pushing ourselves away from the tree, nose first, into the current. We had a very short time period to turn around, and we couldn’t use the motor at first because it continued to hang up. In the last minute, I manage to raise the motor up, while continuing to push against the tree to free us. I finally pop us loose. At that moment, I manage to start the motor (miraculously, on the first pull), drop it into the water and get the boat moving. We do a J turn, travel past the tree, angle to the shore and, finally, make landing.”
In the midst of their joyous victory celebration, Vickie learns that her husband, who had been on the back porch of the house and jumped into the waters, hadn’t made it, turning her tears
of happiness to tears of sadness. So, though she had survived, she lost her husband, a pet and their horse ranch to the fury of Hurricane Helene.
Levi and other members of the OK-TF1 ended up helping save three other people, along with their pets, during that fateful day in September. Marooned, the unit sleeps outside that night.
“The next morning, we find a goat trail over the mountains, drive to another community, and spend two weeks there before making it back home,” he recalls.
Reflecting on the experience, Levi is grateful for many things, including his in-depth swift-water recovery training.
“We train a lot. Most guys will never get the opportunity to put their skills to use and make that kind of difference. It was, like, hey, that’s why I put in those 12 years of training! The payoff was everything you can imagine.”
Levi also keeps thinking about timing and fate:
If the interstate hadn’t closed, they would have gone on to their destination in North Carolina.
If they hadn’t been stranded in Embreeville, they wouldn’t have been there to attempt the rescue that led to the successful rescue of the homeowner, a woman in her late 50s or early 60s, whose work maintaining the ranch had helped keep her keep physically fit and able to assist in her own recovery.
If the house had disintegrated even moments earlier, all would have been lost, recovery made impossible.
If Vickie’s dive off the front porch hadn’t landed her so close to the boat, they wouldn’t have been able to retrieve her.
Call it fate, call it God’s will, call it a miracle. Call it what you will, Levi believes fortune or fate intervened— and that, plus the intensive training he had undertaken in swift-water recovery—led to one woman living to see another day, and a life forever changed for one Norman firefighter.
Quick side note: Neither Levi nor Brent suffered any injuries in this dangerous rescue operation—other than painful rashes. Apparently at least some of those vines in the tree were poison ivy.
AFTER THE RESCUE: RECOGNITION
Levi’s acts of heroism were lauded by Norman Fire Department captain Chris Atteberry, who said “Firefighter Mulder's actions that day exemplify the dedication, skill and bravery that define our profession.
“His willingness to risk his own life for the safety of others is a testament to the values we uphold as members of the Norman Fire Department,” added Atteberry, who also serves as president of Local 2067 Professional Firefighters Union.
NFD Deputy Chief Joel Chesser echoed that sentiment, acknowledging the bravery and commitment of Mulder and fellow firefighters:
“The NFD takes great pride in the life-saving efforts of Driver/ Engineer Levi Mulder. This rescue operation is characterized by its low frequency and high risk, which significantly increases the challenges faced by rescuers and places them under intense pressure. Mulder, along with other members of the NFD, perfect these specialized skills through OKTF-1, a dedicated unit consisting of fire personnel from across Oklahoma. We are thankful for the people that are part of specialized service and rescue teams and the positive impacts they have made during national disasters.”
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OK-TF1 members (from left) Shawn Mitchell, Mike Emillio, Brent Koeninger, Levi Mulder
books by, about men
LIBRARIAN REVIEWS WORKS ON BOXING LEGEND, AWARD-WINNING AMERICAN NOVELIST, ROMAN EMPEROR/PHILOSOPHER AND CELEBRITY CHEF
[Editor’s Note: For this, our Men’s Issue, we asked our friends at the Pioneer Library System if they would like to submit an article focusing on books written by or about men. They readily agreed, and PLS librarian and marketing & communications specialist Kendall Watson happily agreed to take on the assignment. Here, he reviews three very different books, all written by men about men.]
ARTICLE BY KENDALL WATSON
Kendall Watson (Photo by Shevaun Williams & Associates)
The Shell Collector
(Outdoors/Short Stories)
Before Anthony Doerr became a household name, he wrote The Shell Collector—a collection of stories that dig into the quiet corners of life. Set in vivid landscapes from Africa to the coast of Maine, these tales explore men who find themselves wrestling with wonder, grief and transformation. Doerr’s writing is razor-sharp yet lyrical, making even the smallest moments feel weighty. His characters often live far from crowds, learning truths about themselves through solitude and survival.
For men who see the outdoors not just as scenery but as a mirror, this book will strike a powerful chord. The Shell Collector reminds readers that strength isn’t always loud, and real wisdom often comes when you’re alone with your thoughts—or with the wildness of the world. It’s a collection that calls you to slow down and take a second look at everything you think you know.
King of the World
(Sports/History)
In King of the World , Pulitzer Prize-winner David Remnick captures Muhammad Ali’s rise from Cassius Clay to cultural icon with precision and heart. This is more than a boxing story—it’s about a man stepping into the public arena at a time when America was battling its own identity. Remnick doesn’t shy away from Ali’s complexities, showing a young man crafting his persona with boldness, charisma and conviction, even as he faced a world ready to tear him down.
For any man trying to define his own place in a world that demands compromise, Ali’s story hits deep. It’s about knowing who you are, sticking to it and paying the price with dignity. Remnick’s writing is sharp and fastpaced, perfect for those who appreciate a biography that feels alive rather than stuffy. It’s a study in how personal grit and cultural upheaval can shape a true king.
Kitchen Confidential
(Life Experience/Humor)
If you’ve ever wondered what happens behind the swinging doors of a restaurant kitchen, Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential is the brutally honest answer. Bourdain pulls no punches, dishing out stories of the grit, grime, and glory that define life on the line. His writing is part battle cry, part confession, told with the kind of reckless charm that made him a legend. This isn’t a sanitized food memoir — it’s a love letter to a world where toughness, loyalty, and pure guts rule.
Bourdain’s story speaks to every man who’s ever chased passion over comfort, who knows that the real rewards come after a thousand hard nights. He doesn’t romanticize the chaos — he honors it. Kitchen Confidential is for the guys who know the best stories come with a few scars, and the best meals are served with a side of laughter and hard-earned pride.
Meditations
(Philosophy)
Written nearly 2,000 years ago, Meditations remains one of the purest, hardest-hitting reflections on leadership, duty and self-control ever penned. Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius kept this private journal not for public eyes, but to remind himself how to stay disciplined, humble and calm in the face of chaos. His voice is refreshingly direct—less a philosopher preaching, and more a man trying to wrestle his own weaknesses into submission.
Every man who picks up Meditations will find himself nodding at hard truths: about anger, fear, pride and the shortness of life. It’s the kind of book you don’t just read—you keep on your shelf and come back to when life throws its hardest punches. If you’re looking for something that’s equal parts tough love and deep encouragement, Marcus has been waiting centuries to hand it to you.
JOHN M. IRELAND & SON FUNERAL HOME: A THREE-GENERATION FAMILY BUSINESS
Compassionate, Professional Service
ARTICLE BY JERRI CULPEPPER
The John M. Ireland & Son Funeral Home & Chapel team. (Ashley Lewis Photography)
John Ireland and Haley Ireland
“
“Our mission is to provide compassionate, professional service at the most reasonable prices —with a personal touch.”
In a time when many funeral homes are corporate-owned, John M. Ireland & Son Funeral Home & Chapel in Moore stands apart—in more ways than one.
John M. Ireland represents the second of a three-generation family business started by his father, Ray, whom he considers to be one of his greatest teachers and mentors.
“My family originally comes from Oklahoma,” John explains, noting that his father entered the funeral business when he was only 16 years old.
“He had some great mentors and developed a rare talent for turning around struggling funeral homes,” John added.
A SHORT HISTORY ON THE FAMILY BUSINESS
“Our family owned funeral homes in Miami and McAlester, Oklahoma, before moving to a small town called Nevada, Missouri, with a population of about 9,000,” John said.
“Back in those days,” he recalled, “many funeral homes also operated ambulance services because calling 911 was not an option. These were essentially station wagons outfitted with red lights and sirens mounted on the hood. We advertised our ambulance service as ‘two-way radio and oxygen equipped.’”
Early in his career, John worked at a large family-owned funeral home in Kansas City and lived in the apartment above it. When the business was sold to a large corporation, he returned to Oklahoma—what he proudly called “God’s Country”—to work for Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home in Del City.
“I learned a great deal from Bill and his brother Harold, who owned a funeral home in Blanchard,” he said.
With rumors that the funeral home might be sold, John struck out on his own, joining Central Burial Vaults—a respected manufacturer of concrete burial vaults in Oklahoma—as marketing director.
“This opportunity gave me insight into another side of funeral service and allowed me to build a strong network of professionals across the country,” John shares.
In 1995, he founded John M. Ireland & Son Funeral Home.
“I asked my mother for an inheritance to help start the business, and she told me no,” he recalled. “She said, ‘Go see our banker—if you don’t learn now, you never will.’ So, I did. The banker asked me how many funerals I planned to do in my first year. I told him 25. He said, ‘Change the plan, show me how you’ll do 50, and I’ll loan you the money.’ So I did—and the rest is history.”
THE BUSINESS TODAY
Today, the Ireland family operates both the John M. Ireland & Son Funeral Home at 120 S. Broadway Ave. in Moore and the John M. Ireland & Son Funeral Home of Capitol Hill, located at 32nd and Western in Oklahoma City. Additionally, they own Moore Custom Monument and the Lynlee Mae Chapel & Event Center, named after John’s daughters’ middle names.
Calling the funeral profession “one of the oldest and most honorable callings,” he shares: “Families place their trust in you during one of the worst moments of their lives—when they’ve lost a loved one. As funeral directors and embalmers, we must be caring, compassionate, patient, understanding and willing to listen with empathy and respect.”
Whether families are seeking burial or cremation services, John says their team takes great pride in helping them honor and celebrate loved ones’ lives and legacies.
“Our mission is to provide compassionate, professional service at the most reasonable prices— with a personal touch.”
He adds, “Some funeral companies have tried to make this an 8-to-5 job, but it’s not. My family
and our staff are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We’re always just a phone call away.”
THE IMPORTANCE OF GIVING BACK
The Irelands believe strongly in the importance of giving back to the community.
“A community is only as good as what you help make it,” John states. “We support churches and their activities, sponsor Moore’s Old Town Christmas Parade and “Haunt the Old Town” for a safe Halloween and participate in National Night Out in support of first responders. We’re also big supporters of local high schools and elementary schools, as well as members of several chambers of commerce, Rotary and the Shrine.”
FAMILY TIES
John has three children—Victoria, Johnathon and Haley; two nephews, Ben and Matthew, who he raised as if they were his own; and four grandchildren.
Victoria graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in communication and human relations and later earned a culinary degree from Platt College. Johnathon, also an OU grad, is a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. Haley earned a bachelor’s degree in mortuary science with a minor in psychology from University of Central Oklahoma.
Ben earned a degree in accounting from OU and a master’s from Oklahoma City University, while Matthew earned a degree in communications and business management from Missouri Baptist University. Matthew now serves as the funeral home’s business manager.
Daughters Victoria and Haley co-own HayVic’s Clothing, which operates in four locations; their flagship store is in Moore’s Old Town, with additional stores at Painted Tree and Showplace Market in Moore and another Painted Tree location in Edmond. They also operate Candy Castle and Popcorn Palace in Moore’s Old Town.
A licensed funeral director and embalmer, Haley is also the funeral director at John Ireland Funeral Home, where she shares her father’s vision of compassionately serving families during some of the most difficult times in their lives. Her work there has her performing in many roles, including preparing, dressing and cosmetizing the deceased and office manager.
The Ireland family may no longer drive station wagons outfitted with red lights and sirens mounted on the hood, but those who come to them for help during one of the most difficult times of their lives will surely be comforted by their compassion and commitment to one of the oldest and most honorable of professions.
Learn more at johnirelandfuneralhome.com or call 405.799.1200.
From left: Ben Sommer, Johnathon Ireland, Haley M. Ireland, John M. Ireland, Victoria Krohn, Matthew Sommer (Photo by Haley Ireland)
realty report
events
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
JUNE 6TH
Jay Leno, Arsenio Hall at Riverwind
Riverwind | 8:00 PM
Acclaimed TV late night show host, admired stand-up comedian, best-selling children’s book author, much-in-demand corporate speaker, TV and movie voice-over artist, pioneering car builder and mechanic, and philanthropist… Appearing on stage with Jay Leno, widely characterized as “the hardest working man in show business," will be special guest Arsenio Hall at Riverwind Casino in Norman. Tickets: bit.ly/4iuazao
JUNE 19TH
Norman Juneteenth Festival
Reaves Park, Norman | 6:00 PM
This family-friendly event brings together vendors, games, food trucks, education, live entertainment, fireworks and more for a night of celebration and community. Bring your lawn chairs, friends and family. NormanJuneteenth.com
JUNE 19TH - 21ST
Jazz in June
Andrews Park
In addition to the main stage acts, several artists will teach music clinics during Friday’s festivities. Bring your instrument of choice Thursday and Saturday and participate in late-night jam sessions. Stages will be set up at Norman’s Brookhaven Village as well as Andrews Park. Each year’s lineup includes a widely eclectic mix of artists. JazzInJune.org
JUNE 20TH
Daddy & Daughter Party at the Pool
The Station Aquatics Center, Moore | 6:00 PM
A date night for daughters to be escorted by any adult figure, featuring swimming, dancing and light snacks. Wear your swimwear and join us for a great evening at the pool. CityOfMoore.com/Upcoming-Events/Daddy-Daughter-Party-Pool
JUNE 20TH - 22ND
SoonerCon 33: Gateway to the Galaxy
Embassy Suites by Hilton, Norman
Soonercon is Oklahoma's longest-running and premier pop culture convention! Each June, Soonercon ASSEMBLES the best and brightest to ENGAGE members in fun activities around pop culture, anime, comics, art, literature, games, STEM and more to transform minds in amazing ways. SoonerCon.com
JUNE 27TH
Purcell's Independence Day Celebration
Purcell Lake | 5:00 PM
Held the last Friday in June at Purcell Lake, the event will include food trucks, vendor booths, games and lots of family-friendly fun. The evening's festivities will conclude with a brilliant display of fireworks over the lake. Load up the car with blankets and lawn chairs and get ready to enjoy the incredible show with family and friends. TheHeartOfOk.com
EXPERTISE. PASSION. INTEGRITY.
Having grown up in Oklahoma, Wes believes there is no better place to raise a family and build a fresh start. The true treasure of this state lies in its people—kind, welcoming, and communityoriented. Wes has a deep appreciation for our small towns, where local festivals and genuine neighbors create a strong sense of belonging.
Wes, married to his high school sweetheart, is the proud father of three children. He enjoys family movie nights, Christmas music, and keeping his loved ones smiling with his signature dad jokes. His passion for service is evident in his role as a volunteer firefighter and in his continued dedication to supporting veterans and first responders throughout the state since 2017.
Guided by a heart for helping others, Wes has found a fulfilling career as a Realtor with Prime Realty. As a dedicated real estate professional, he brings the same compassion, integrity, and commitment to his clients that he brings to his community—and always with a touch of humor.
ROW 1: Lisa Ray, Jerry Flowers, Nguyet Kieu, Dustin Whittern, Lisa Elrod, Wes Brozak, Leslie Switzer
ROW 2: Matthew Thomas, Cami Martz, Kirk Holloway, Tera Painter, Amber Dawson, Kirk Little
