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Benjamin T Walkingstick’s exceptional life of charity, success and civic duty began on October 29, 1930, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and ended on December 27, 2023, in Chandler, Oklahoma.
Ben was an incredible man with more accomplishments, awards and recognitions than are possible to list. A lifelong entrepreneur with an eye always focused on the next challenge, he channeled his business success into a lifetime of civic service, highlighted by his serving as Mayor of Chandler from 1975-1979.
His life of entrepreneurship began at the age of seven when he began selling magazines in Bartlesville, OK, to earn enough money to purchase a bicycle. After seeing the fruits of this labor, he began delivering newspapers for the Kansas City Star at age 10. He then worked for a grocery store, a soap factory, and a carpet installing company to save money for college. During summers in college, he delivered home goods for the Jewel Tea Company to earn additional spending money.
Ben graduated from Classen High School in Oklahoma City in 1947 and went on to graduate from the University of Oklahoma with a business degree in 1953. During this time, he was an active member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity; a relationship that would continue for the remainder of his life. After graduation, he served two years in the US Air Force during the Korean War.
Ben married Jerry Marshall of Chandler in June of 1952, later having three children: Judy, Jeff, and Janet. In 1963, Ben began a 60-year career in banking when he moved to Chandler and took the helm of Union National Bank, one of the oldest banks in the state. He would go on to start multiple other businesses, including Walkingstick-Bierman Insurance Agency (later LaGere-Walkingstick Insurance Agency), National American Insurance Company and Premier Realty.
In 1988, Ben married Bonnie Calvert and inherited her two children: Kimberly Smith and Stan Smith.
He continued his contributions to his adopted home of Chandler with his dogged pursuit of Farm Fresh (now Highland Dairy) and the Chandler Travel Plaza as well as his stewardship of the Chandler Public Library and the Lincoln County Pioneer Museum.
Ben was also instrumental in the development of the Oklahoma National Guard’s Joint Operations and Readiness Center, which will be located in Chandler. Due to their numerous contributions, Ben and Bonnie were awarded the Thunderbird Medal, the Oklahoma National Guard’s highest award presented to civilians.
Additional benefaction to the city were his saving of the Old Armory Building and his leading of its conversion to the Route 66 Interpretive Center, as well as building the first location for The Chosen House, a transitional faith-based home for women. These achievements led to him being named 2004 Lion of the Year by the Chandler Lions Club and 2019 Ambassador of the Year by the Chandler Chamber of Commerce.
His donations extended into the educational world as well. In addition to millions of dollars in donations to his alma mater the University of Oklahoma, he and Bonnie also sponsored construction of a new student union building at Seminole State College in Seminole, Oklahoma. Thanks to his charity, The Ben Walkingstick Business Scholarship (University of Oklahoma) and the Galela Walkingstick Scholarship (Seminole State College) exist to assist those with financial needs attain the education that Ben found so valuable.
In continuation of his support of Oklahoma’s educational community, he served eight years on the board of the Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma as well as eight years on the Board of Regents – including one year as Board President – of Seminole State College.
Fiercely proud of his Cherokee heritage, Ben named his cattle ranch
Cherokee Farms. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and a life-long member of the First United Methodist
Church.Ben was a man of principle, honesty, fairness, and dogged work ethic. He
was always willing to lend an ear and give advice, counsel, and support. May he be remembered as such.
Ben is preceded in death by his parents, Toni and Ben Walkingstick and daughter Kimberly Smith.
He is survived by his wife Bonnie Walkingstick of Chandler and his children Judy Walkingstick of Chandler, Jeff Walkingstick and Debbie Collins of Chandler, Janet Gotwals and husband Jim of Tulsa, Stan Smith and wife Michelle of Chandler, sister-in-law Dr. June May of Oklahoma City and brother-in-law John May and wife Ruby of Ola, AR.
He is also survived by his grandchildren Jennifer Walkingstick of Dallas, TX, Jamie Dowdy and husband Joel of Dallas, TX, Jessica Bernson and husband Marc of Payallup, WA, Marshall Alsip and wife Julie of Chandler, Ben Alsip and wife Jennifer of Chandler, Emily Moreau and husband Jason of Tulsa, Katy Saint and husband Rich of Oklahoma City, John Gotwals of Tulsa, Cal Smith and wife Jessica of Edmond, Dr. Lucas Smith and wife Kylie of Edmond, Maegan Nicholson of Portland, OR, and Randi Yow and husband John Stuart of Birmingham, AL.
Additionally, Ben is survived by 20 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
A public memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 2nd, at 2:00 PM
at the Route 66 Interpretive Center in Chandler. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ben
Walkingstick’s name to the Chosen House, PO Box 25, Chandler, OK 74834.
“May the sun bring you new energy by day. May the moon softly restore you
by night. May the rain
wash away your worries. May the breeze blow new strength into your being.
May you walk gently
through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life.” –
Apache prayer
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