ALUMNI NEWS
CONGRATULATIONS Cooper Dane Johnson was born August 19, 2021, to parents Ian (16) and Bethany (Balu) Johnson (16). The Johnsons serve in youth ministry with Crossroads Christian Church in Macon, Missouri. Griffin Archer Knarr was born September 20, 2021, to parents Kyle (15) and Dallas Knarr. The Knarrs live in Dry Ridge, Kentucky.
In December of 2020, Jameson Melugin was born to parents Micah and Samantha (Simala) Melugin (2012). Samantha serves as the associate campus pastor at Life.Church West Wichita in Wichita, Kansas.
Judah Levi Payne was born on July 8, 2021, to parents Aaron (11) and Joanna (Gardner) Payne (09). The Paynes live in Marion, Iowa, where Aaron is the production manager at Antioch Christian Church.
Eden Ryan Wheeler was born April 14, 2021, to parents Patrick (09) and Lauren (Balu) Wheeler (10). The Wheelers serve at Cornerstone Christian Church in Shiloh, Illinois, where Patrick is the family pastor and pastor of ministry.
OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHY Please lift up in prayer the families of the following alumni who have passed away in recent weeks. Dwight Addleman (67) passed away on August 9, 2021. Dwight ministered in Washington, Indianapolis, Ohio, Oregon, Arizona, Colorado, California, and New York, often planting or rescuing churches. Bob Allen (58) passed away on January 6, 2022. Bob and his wife Carolyn served in many churches in their 52 years together. After her passing, he continued ministering with various churches and organizations even after he “retired.” In 1998, Bob received OCC’s Seth Wilson Outstanding Alumnus Award in recognition of his many contributions to kingdom work. Micah Ansley (attended 9899) passed away July 10, 2021, after an illness. He is survived by two sons, Evan and Eli, and former wife Anya (Goodman) Ansley (03). Also surviving are Micah’s parents, Ken (70/ former staff ) and Marsha Ansley (attended), and two brothers, Jason and Rusty. Chris Babb (97) passed away on June 17, 2021, in Mesa, Arizona. Chris had served as minister in Lawton, Kansas, and Rochester, Illinois.
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Ronald Carter (68/former staff ) passed away on June 19, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada, after more than a year of battling cancer. Ron and his wife, Pam (Storms) Carter (68), served in ministries in Kansas, Ohio, California, Missouri, and Arkansas. Most recently, he served with Pioneer Bible Translators. In 2010, Ron received OCC’s Seth Wilson Outstanding Alumnus Award in appreciation for his many contributions to kingdom work.
Gordon Clymer (59) passed away on August 26, 2021, after a brief hospitalization. After several years in ministry, Gordon taught at OCC from 1969 to 1997 as a professor of Christian education. He retired from Ozark in 1997 and continued in ministry with Good News Productions International and as coordinator for the Consortium for Christian Online Education. Gordon received OCC’s Seth Wilson Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2007. Jacob Donato (09) passed away on December 12, 2021, from complications of COVID-19. He is survived by his wife Erin and their four children. Jake served as the associate minister of Lancaster Christian Church in Lancaster, Missouri, and as worship minister of Lamar Christian Church in Lamar, Colorado.
