Longtime Mid-Del educator celebrates100th birthday

From WWII service to Mid-Del Schools, McAllister leaves lasting legacy

By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon

A longtime Mid-Del educator and Navy veteran became the state’s newest centenarian.

Dr. Vernon F. McAllister celebrated his 100th birthday Sept. 5 along with family, friends and community leaders at Tealridge Retirement Community in Edmond.

McAllister was born Sept. 7, 1925, in Foss, Oklahoma. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, stationed in the Philippines with the 33rd Special U.S. Construction Battalion. After the war, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma City University and later completed an MBA and Ph.D. in education from the University of Oklahoma.

He spent his career with the Mid-Del School District, retiring as assistant superintendent in 1990, and was later honored with the district’s Lifetime Achievement Award. A longtime member of Wilshire Church of Christ, McAllister also enjoyed gardening and reading. He and his wife, Delores, married in 1952, raised three children, and today have five grandchildren.

State Sen. Adam Pugh said he was honored to recognize McAllister on this milestone occasion. He presented him with a citation from himself and State Rep. Mike Osburn.

“The only thing I could really think of … was Matthew 25:21: ‘Well done, thy good and faithful servant.’ I could not think of a more appropriate thing to say for a gentleman who has seen a lot,” Pugh said. He added, “There is a good chance that there is a number of students … telling stories about Mr. McAllister and the impact that someone like him would have had on their lives.”

Unbeknownst to Pugh, one of those students was in the room.

Nancy Williams, a Carl Albert alumna and longtime Mid-Del teacher, presented McAllister with recognition from the Centenarians of Oklahoma. Holding her high school yearbook, she said,

“Somewhere in the archives of Nancy Williams’ life, Dr. Vernon McAllister’s name is on my diploma. … What an honor for me to be able to be here and give back to this wonderful man.”

She then presented him with a plaque, pin, and certificate, formally welcoming him into the Centenarians of Oklahoma Hall of Fame as the 3,160th member. She also presented him with recognitions from Gov. Kevin Stitt and Edmond Mayor Mark Nash.

McAllister thanked everyone for celebrating with him and shared his secret to a long life:

“Doing what the Lord said to me.” He added, “Thank you all for coming. I appreciate you more than I can say, but I am justly happy and proud to be here today.”