Patricia Locke

Patricia Ann Locke was born on December 7, 1945, in Stigler, OK to Oren Leo Fye and Grace Lorene Cook Fye of Disney, OK and left this world to go dance with them again on April 9, 2020. She was raised in Disney where she attended elementary school and then graduated from Jay High School. In May 1964 she entered Northeastern State University in Tahlequah where she graduated in 1968 with a BS in Education. Preceding her death are her mother, father, and sister Shelba Jean Rogers and brother-in-law Pat Rogers. Patricia is survived by her husband, James Locke, three children, Shannon K Ferguson, Jamison Todd Locke, Corey Alan Locke and wife Paige Locke. Her grandchildren, Shawn Reid, Brandon Reid, Ryann Ferguson, Carson Ferguson, Madelyn Locke, Olivia Locke and three great-grandchildren, Camden Reid, Talon Reid, Malyah Reid as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Patricia played basketball in high school, loved swimming, was an avid water skier and was an excellent ballroom dancer. Patricia and James Locke met on the first day of college at Northeastern State University, where she was a member of the Alpha Alpha Alpha Sorority, and were eventually married at the First Christian Church in Langley, OK. After graduating from college, Pat taught school in the Collinsville School district before moving with the family to Houston then California where she focused on her kids. Shannon became an accomplished gymnast due to Pat's devotion and many hours taking her to practices. Pat “involuntarily” became the first woman coach in the Anaheim Little League baseball program where she supported Jami and Corey in their baseball passions. Pat’s team won the division championship to the frustration of many male coaches. While living in California, she met a lifelong group of lady friends with whom she spent much time bowling and traveling to Las Vegas for tournaments.

After moving back to Tahlequah from California, Pat owned and managed the local Sears and was instrumental in forming the Cherokee County National Little League baseball program before presiding over the program for almost 2 decades. She petitioned the city to donate the land, she organized volunteers to create the fields and build the buildings, then worked with the city for fencing and the GRDA to donate lights. Today, many of the “kids” that she led in this endeavor are now teachers, judges, lawyers, nurses, city officials, parents, etc. After work each day, she would go to the baseball fields to oversee and make sure the operations ran smoothly while watching the kids play her favorite game. Later, Pat was appointed the President of the Oklahoma State National Little League and then as a delegate of the World Little League.

Pat will forever be remembered for her wit and fun-loving attitude, her determination for accomplishment, and her love for others. She was devoted to family, friends, and all the others that she touched who became “her kids”.

Private family services will be held with interment at Spavinaw Strang Cemetery Spavinaw, Oklahoma.