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Lester Golding – not your average Joe
sports
July 5, 2023
Lester Golding – not your average Joe
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR,

Joe “Lester-Rack” Golding was a standout athlete at Eufaula (Class of 1936). He and his best friend Clinton White received a scholarship to play at NEO in Miami, Oklahoma before going to East Texas State. Golding then went to the Army where he finished his playing career. Before each of their lives was over they would be inducted into their respected Halls of Fame.

Lester earned the name “Rack” in two ways. When he was a young boy he worked in a pool hall downtown in Eufaula, racking pool balls for customers who would pay him. The other way was that he was so dominant on the football field he would rack up tackles.

Lester began his career at Denison in 1946 as a football assistant and the head basketball coach. He then moved to Wichita Falls one year later and was promoted to head coach after one year. In his 15 years (1947-1961) his Coyotes reached the state title game six times winning four state championships (1949, 1950, 1958 & 1961). His players, frequently lighter than their opponents, perfected his single-wing offense and compiled a 154-24-2 record. Inducted into THSCA Hall of Fame in 1969, he was Texas High School Coach of the Year in 1949. Coach Golding died on July 5, 1979. The football field still bears his name.

Lester’s brother Joe “Junior” Golding was a football standout at Eufaula (Class of 1940). He scored 71 points against Haileyville. He caught the attention of the coaches from the University of Oklahoma. Golding was special. He became the best wingback in Oklahoma’s modern football history, averaging 5.8 net yards on each rush.

Lester’s son, Joe Lester Jr., followed in his dad’s footsteps as he quickly became a terrific high school football and golf coach at Wichita Falls High School and had success throughout his career. The entire Golding family carried strong characteristics of being well organized, well prepared and extremely competitive and confident. And his grandson, Joe Golding, found success as a basketball coach at Abilene Christian University. He followed up a historic 2018-19 campaign with another outstanding season in 2019-20.

ACU earned a berth to the NCAA Tournament for the first time at the Division I level, earning a 15-seed and a first round matchup with the University of Kentucky.

He was named head football coach at UTEP in 2021.

Eufaula Memorial Library
A: Main, news
Eufaula Memorial Library
July 2, 2025
A llama and a youngster got acquainted at a petting zoo at the Eufaula Memorial Library Wednesday, June 25. Dozens of kids and adults enjoyed the llama, goats, donkey and other animals, provided by Ma...
A: Main, news
Eufaula hosting July 4 Celebration
July 2, 2025
Mayor James Hickman and the City of Eufaula are honored to invite residents and visitors to the annual Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration on Friday, July 4. The fireworks will begin shortly after su...
A legacy lives on
A: Main, news
A legacy lives on
By LaDonna Rhodes Staff Writer 
July 2, 2025
Selby Minner’s Celebration of Life on Saturday at the Checotah Performing Arts Center was a beautiful 3-hour-long tribute to an amazing soul who loved the blues and more importantly, loved people. As ...
Lightning strike kills Eufaula woman in cemetery
A: Main, news
Lightning strike kills Eufaula woman in cemetery
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
July 2, 2025
A 57-year-old Eufaula woman was killed by lightning during a routine stroll through a cemetery Friday evening. Joy Ann Rogers was walking through Greenwood cemetery shortly before 7 p.m. when a thunde...
A: Main, news
Native American Arts & Crafts show Saturday
July 2, 2025
Eufaula Indian Community will host an Arts and Crafts show and sale Saturday, July 5 at the IEC Center, 800 Birkes Road, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to this event, a chair volleyball tournament...
Olivia Shackelford honored with 2025 Youth Prevention Award
news
Olivia Shackelford honored with 2025 Youth Prevention Award
July 2, 2025
On June 5, local student Olivia Shackelford of Eufaula was recognized as the recipient of the prestigious 2025 Youth Prevention Award in Oklahoma City at the Heartland Conference. This past week Olivi...
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Family, friends and fans bid farewell to Blues legend
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Family, friends and fans bid farewell to Blues legend
By LENORE BECHTEL 
July 2, 2025
Her casket rested below center stage at the Checotah Performing Arts Center, open for friends, fans, and family to view her precious body before her life’s celebration began. No one lingered long. Tha...
Another busy week in the district
commentary
Another busy week in the district
By REP. TIM TURNER 
July 2, 2025
I started last Saturday June 21, bright and early at Stigler Reunion Days. I kicked things off at the Haskell County GOP Tent, answering questions and catching up with friends and supporters. Then I h...
Killing them with kindness
commentary
Killing them with kindness
July 2, 2025
What a month it’s been for me personally and in our close-knit communities. Trying to cope with the loss of loved ones has been extremely difficult and downright demanding. Yet having to come to terms...
‘Big Beautiful Bill’ overhauled in Senate, would cause even more government borrowing
commentary
‘Big Beautiful Bill’ overhauled in Senate, would cause even more government borrowing
By JOE DORMAN OICA CEO 
July 2, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY – Over the past month, I have highlighted portions of the federal “Big Beautiful Bill” as passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. Currently, the bill is under consideration by the U...
Hays Supports MOHA Executive Order
commentary
Hays Supports MOHA Executive Order
July 2, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Neil Hays, R-Muskogee, today expressed strong support for Gov. Kevin Stitt’s new “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” (MOHA) executive order, which targets artificial food additives and ...
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