January 23, 2021 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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Saturday, January 23, 2021 Weekend Edition Elk City eye doctor makes statewide television news featuring charitable project Project honors the memory of the late Dr. Gary Ford By Shonda Little for all of his career,” Walke stated. lenses as a child,” Walker recounted. “And guess the difference in a child knowing how to read or Just like in the past, Dr. Walker asked for rec-who my eye doctors was — Dr. Gary Ford. our elderly maintaining their independence as Last week, local social media profiles lit up after ommendations for the free examination and eye “| was really involved in sports when I was a long as possible. It keeps them driving and able to citizens tuned into the Channel 9 nightly news to glasses on her professional Facebook page. kid at Reydon High School,” Walker stated. “I was care for themselves. I was fascinated with that.” see a familiar face. “So before it was with just one patient, but we amazed that Dr. Ford could give me these simple Walker anticipates she will stay at her career as ‘There, as most works days were coming to an would ask people to submit a person in need. We contacts that would make me see perfectly. So I long as she is able. end, a familiar smile was broadcasted across the did the same thing this time, just to alarger scale,” new from an early age that I wanted to be an op- “L will still be doing this when I am 75, God will- television screens. she said. tometrist.” ing,” she exclaimed. “I love my job and wouldn’t Dr. Lisa Walker, who practices at 106 North ‘Once she made the post, recommendations rap- Through the years, Dr. Walker has witnessed want to spend my days doing anything else.” Main Street in downtown Elk City, was being in- idly flowed in. terviewed about a new campaign she had started “Whether they were asking for someone else first hand how life changing glasses or contacts For those reasons and to continue to honor can be. Dr. Ford’s memory, Walker plans to continue the in honor of the late Dr. Gary Ford. or for themselves, we were overwhelmed by the “Dr. Ford had the kind of funeral that I want response. Every single one of these recommen- “It is especially important for our children and free clinic. She recommends recommendations or when I die,” Walker explained. “It is the kind of dations were so heartfelt. It just didn’t feel right our senior citizens,” she said. “It can literally be nominations be made to their Facebook page. funeral we should all want. Several times we all to turn away anyone. We read through them and laughed out loud. Dr. Ford was a wonderful, light- Tjust couldn’t not pick one of them,’Walker said. hearted man who was also serious about doing In total, Dr. Walker and her staff of three saw what is right and doing good for others. As we approximately 40 patients. were sitting and listening to so many stories about “There were some as young as 13, but they were his goodness, one of my staff said that we should mostly aged 30 to 60-years-old. We even helped a carryon the free eye exams and glasses that he did senior citizen who clearly needed cataract surgery. for those less fortunate.” ‘That patient was around 80. Our whole staff left Although Dr. Walker has long given at least one that project feeling so uplifted,” she said. charitable patient a free exam and glasses prior to Like with most things in the pandemic, not long this, she had never attempted it to Dr. Ford’s su- after her free clinic, she and her staff were forced perhuman scale. to temporarily close their doors. “But, we left there and we knew the best way “We were getting it. Some of our spouses were — really, the only way— we could properly honor getting it. We just had no choice but to shut down everything that Dr. Ford did for so many was to do for two weeks,” said Dr. Walker. what he did for those in need ofeye care. It can be Now that the crew is back to full health, Dr. a very expensive for those who don’t have money Walker hopes to continue the project. After all, for simple bills and it is something that is so im- Walker is passionate about her field. Construction continues on Third Street. Staff photo. portant. Dr. Ford understood that and lived by it “So I myself went had glasses and then contact Scholarships St. Matthews priest dies due to available to area high Covid-19 complications in India school seniors By Shonda Little and passion for the Bible. cause he couldn't face the pain “He then worked in a dlinic Helping today’s students achieve their academic goals is a great investment in our future. Northfork Electric's Academic Schol- Louis had shared his life story and the suffering” for lepers and used some of his Amy Estes has gotten to many times with his parish. However, Father Louise’s experiences he learned just in arship Program seeks out well-rounded students in our service know several pastors of the St. Growing up in India, he knew youthful fear quickly faded and those short days with Mother area who are dedicated to making a difference in the world around Matthews Catholic Church of at the tenderage of an 8th grade he again followed the calling to Teresa and what he had learned them. Applications are available now at area high schools, online Elk City and the Queen of All that he had the call to serve the the ministry. in Oklahoma City,” Ellis ex- at nfecoop.com, or at the Northfork Electric Cooperative head- Saints in Sayre. After all, she Lord as a pastor. “Tt taught him a deeper level plained. quarters. says the sister parishes have “Then he got to work with of compassion and pastoral Father spent over a decade in To be eligible to receive a Northfork Electric Cooperative aca- been blessed with several good Mother Teresa, who is actually care,” Ellis said. India before being transferred demic scholarship a student must be a senior graduating from priests. nowa saint within our faith,” Coming straight from India, back to Oklahoma, this time to a high school or homeschool program located within Northfork Chief among them has been Estes stated. “She worked in Father Louis first served as an Elk City. Electric's service area (Elk City, Sayre, Erick, Sweetwater, Reydon, Father Philip Louis, the church the most dire of conditions — associate pastor at an Okla- “He then came here and Hammon, Leedey, Canute, Merritt, Cheyenne and Sentinel) and secretary explained. worked with the poor and the homa City parish from 2004- served as our priest until his their parents or guardian must be a member of Northfork Electric. In her mind and many oth- dying and those suffering with 2008. After gaining that experi- passing,” she said. ‘The student must graduate from high school at the end of the be remem- leprosy. He said that he lasted ers, Father Louis will ence, the priest was again called On January4, Father Louis current school year and begin college or Vo-Tech within one year bered for his fun-loving spirit three days and ran away be- home to India, See Priest page 2. from graduation. A total of six scholarships will be awarded. Each will be worth $500 and will be non-renewable. Arrest warrant issued for Elk City man ‘The scholarship must be used at an accredited university, col- lege, or vocational institution. ‘The scholarship funds will be is- sued directly to the university or vocational institution attended wanted on multiple rape charges by the student. A committee selected by the Northfork Electric Board of Trust- ees will act as the Scholarship Selection Committee. Items for consideration include academic ability, school and community in- By Shonda Little imprisonments. The informa- _ofthe information induded in _ formed a forensic interview with : 3 tion does not shiowamaximum the probable cause affidavit, the alleged victim. The detective poe hes ee and eea ae Hae An arrest warrant was is- sentence for these two counts. whichis public record. is trained in performing this SIENA ECE ee eens sued on January 14 in Beckham For the third count of rape The investigation began on _type of interview with an under- fork Electric Cooperative Academic Scholarships awarded each County District Court for a by instrumentation, Leal faces November 10at approximately _age victim. year. They are subject to review and possible change in the future. 55-year-old Elk City man now between one to 15 yearsimpris- 10a.m. whena Elk City Police ‘The interview was conducted A copy of the current high school transcript should be attached facing two counts of first degree onment. Department detective was as- at the Child Advocacy Center to the completed application along with two letters of recommen- rape ona victim under the age of ‘For the fourth count of lewd signed to investigate an alleged __in Sayre. That facility has been dation-one from a school or educational source (teacher, coach, 14, one count of rape by instru- or indecent acts toa child under _child molestation. specially facilitated in an effort counselor, etc) and one from an outside source (youth pastor, fam- mentation, one count oflewd 16, Leal faces up to 25 years ‘The adult reporting the not to further traumatize child ty friend, etc). If available, also attach a letter of acceptance to or indecent acts toachild under _ imprisonment. alleged incident had reportedly —_victims. the college you plan to attend. Mail or hand deliver your applica- 16 and one count of performing For the fifth count of per- _learned about it from the child. The probable cause afidavit © eee Wee pe pelo ee On seo lewd acts in the presence ofa forming lewd acts in the pres- Inthe report, Lealhad also claims that Lealhad reportedly Wn nolater than April 1 to NFEC, P.O. Box 400, Sayre, OK 73662. minor. ence of aminor, Leal faces upto been accused by others of also committed these alleged of- For more information about Northfork Electric Cooperative Ac- On the two counts of first 25 years imprisonment. watching child pornography. fenses during the suspected time ademic Scholarships visit https://www.nfecoop.com/nfec-schol- degree rape on a victim under Due to the graphic nature of The ECPD detective spent _frame of June, 2019, to October__arship, or call Connie Ferrero at 580-928-3366. the age of 14, David Dean Leal, __theallleged crimes, the Elk City days investigatingthe alleged 2020. Northfork Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider and Sr,, faces no less than five years Newswillbe withholding much _crimes. A second detective per- See Charges page 2. employer. tl HUN UI Weather 59 / 3 5 Vol. 119, No. 7 Mail delivery View online CURE ESP EN tomorrow 75 cents, 8 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com