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OCWC History Earl, club historian From the OCWC history archives: “In 1965, Leonard Payne and Nathan Jarnigan were involved in a wood carving class at the School of Continuing Education in the St. Luke’s Methodist Church . With the help of Carl Tanger, they organized the Oklahoma City Wood Carvers Club in May of that year, with Mr. Jarnigan as the first president. There is no official connection with St. Luke’s Church or the Continuing Education classes but many of the present membership has come from these classes and the club has been a splendid outreach for beginner wood carving aspirants. Anyone interested in wood carving or its associated arts is free to join by payment of $3.00 annual dues. Each year the club sponsors the Oklahoma City Wood carvers Show in late June. Many notable carvers from over the Midwest , exhibit their wares and some derive profits from sales, each year. One-fourth of our membership are ladies and they comprise some of the finest carvers.” President: Nathan Jarnigan Vice-Pres: Carl Tanger Sec-Treasurer: Wyn Kroier Charter members: Nathan Jarnigan, Carl Tanger, Wyn Kroier, Lenard Payne, J.W. Owens, D.H. Binkly, James Weaver |
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Who was Glenn A. Spangler? How did the clubs prestigious service award come to be named after Glenn? Clint Thompson, a thirty plus years member of OCWC, recalls his memories of Glen. Clint is a long time member of Oklahoma City Wood Carvers Club. He has been a member since 1974. Clint served as President of the club for 6 or 7 years. Clint said, “A few days have passed since then and my recollection may not be exactly right.” He said, “In those days, President was also Show Chairman”. Clint recalled that the show was held in several different venues around town, including Shepard Mall. Clint keeps his hand in carving and is currently working on a name plate in relief for his Granddaughter, a youth director at St. Mathews Church. Also, Clint participates in the monthly Carve – In the 4th Saturday of each month at the Wickline Methodist Church in Midwest City. Clint said that there are usually 4 to 6 in attendance. He would like to see more attendance and is always willing to share his carving knowledge and ideas with friends. They usually meet from early morning until afternoon. You can call Clint at 732-2436, to learn more about the carve in. Clint said that he remembers Glenn from one of the first classes he took at St. Lukes Methodist Church in OKC. Then President, Eunice Harrison and her husband Richard taught the class. Glen was a more advanced carver and was working on animals in the round. In those days, beginning carvers were encouraged to start with chip carving and as they mastered chip carving to then move on to relief carving. Clint remembers that in a subsequent class, Glenn approached him with a red cedar duck, in the round project. |
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Clint recalls that Glenn said, “You’ve done the grunt work long enough, here, finish this by next class.”, and handed him the duck cut out. Clint recalls Glenn as a plain spoken person. “He always said what he was thinking. He was helpful, humble and I never heard him complain”, Clint said. When asked what kind of carving Glenn preferred, Clint remembered that he carved mostly animals in the round. He carved dogs and horses and preferred walnut over basswood. Glenn worked in the oil industry and when his life ended, his positive impact on the club was well established. When his wife, Kathy, proposed a service award, to be named in memory of Glenn, the club embraced the proposal and the “Glenn A. Spangler”, Service Award was established. Who was the first award recipient? It was Clint and Lear Thompson. And now, twenty nine years later, “THE GLENN A. SPANGLER AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE OKLAHOMA CITY WOOD CARVERS CLUB” continues its proud tradition of recognition of active involved club membership. Here then, ON PAGE 3 is a list of past recipients:
Here then, is a list of past recipients:
And now, twenty nine years later, “THE GLENN A. SPANGLER AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO THE OKLAHOMA CITY WOOD CARVERS CLUB” continues its proud tradition of recognition of active involved club membership. |
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Caption, dated Thursday, June 17, 1976 reads, G. A. Spangler, left, and Clinton Thompson put the finishing touches on sculptures which will be entered at this weekend’s wood carving show. |
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Vol. XXXXIV NO.04 |
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April, 2009 |
