Fond Memories

By Ed Rodebush, McIntosh County Game Warden

My 4 month old granddaughter was patiently waiting for me to finish changing her diaper. Its a challenge to control both feet, change the diaper and keep all organic materials in their proper location. After the changing and then a bottle I kind of started to reflect on things.

My daughter (the mother of my granddaughter) was four months old when we moved to McIntosh County to start my first assignment as a Game Ranger. That was just before gun season in 1981. Now 27 gun seasons later the circle of life is closing in.

I can honestly say that I still enjoy my job and the thought of quickly approaching retirement is kind of scary. I have been fortunate to have served my whole career in District #2 and I couldn't think of a better fit for me and my family than McIntosh County. I started out as the new pup and have become one of the old farts in a snap of the fingers.

My absolute #1 blessing I get from my job is the brotherhood of fellow Wardens and co-workers. The meetings, work assignments, lunches and even the Expo are things I enjoy in a large part due to my brothers in tan and green. As I tried to come up with an article idea, I thought of all my co-workers that are no longer here due to retirement or death. I could fill this magazine easily so I decided to concentrate on just District #2.	Elmer Cauthron was my first District Chief. Elmer went out of his way to welcome and help me settle in a new career. Elmer adjusted my work schedule so I could baby sit the kids on my days off. This act was all that saved us from starving on rookie pay. Elmer called everyone "Son" and he truly treated me like I was his son. Elmer passed away late last year after a long and good life. There aren't many men any finer than Elmer.	Hoyt Smith was near the end of his career when I met him. I got to work a few times with him and he gave me some very sage advise. He had bright white hair and when he smiles a bit of gold would shine. My second patrol truck was his turn in (replacing a canary yellow Chevy Luv). Hoyt was diagnosed with cancer about a year after retirement and didn't last long. Hoyt was a fine man and friend.
Bullet Burns was my Partner, trainer, adviser, father figure and best of all friend. I would not be here today if not for Bullet and his influence. I believe that Bullet treated me better than his own sons. About three weeks before Bullet died he told me the end was near. I helped carry him out to the ambulance the day he died. At the hospital I touched his face for the last time and it was still warm, this is how I will always remember Bullet.	Steve Boyd served in our district for several years and I worked with him on several cases. Steve was a fine officer and friend. Steve was someone you wanted around if things went bad. Steve is now retired and living in the Spiro area.	Jerry Cole was in our district for several years before transferring to the 8th district. My first surveillance detail with Jerry was an all day affair. Jerry brought his jig tying gear and we tied several jigs during the slow time of our assignment. Jerry transferred to the 8th district and in 1999 died while assigned to Kay County.
Tabor Myers was my local Game Warden when I was hired by the department. Tabor was a positive influence and encouraged me to apply for the Game Warden job. Tabor was a one-of-a-kind sort of man and if you were around him very much you found out real quick about his passion and beliefs. OU football and the Marine Corps were two of his favorites.	Austin Jim Young was the guy I replaced when I hired on and came to McIntosh County. Jim transferred to the far eastern part of the district and I had the pleasure of working with Jim for over 20 years. Jim always had a black cloud hanging over him concerning equipment. Jim had a way of wrinkling fenders on vehicles. The people of Adair County knew that Jim was a top notch officer and elected him sheriff by a large number of votes.	Dennis Maxwell was also a friend before I hired on, and he helped me to stay focused during my hiring process. Dennis was probably the most tenacious Game Warden I have met. If Dennis was working on something, he didn't stop until he caught them. Dennis went on to be our Assistant Chief of Law Enforcement and is now retired.
I could write several pages on what Don Cole has done and means to me. Don is like a brother to me and it was my pleasure to work with him for over 25 years. Don always had a funny story to tell and was one of the best firearms instructors I had the pleasure of training under. Don retired recently and is staying busy on his farm.	Rick Olzawski is close to retirement and may be by the time you read this. Rick has been my neighbor Warden for over 27 years. Rick is one of those guys that when things go bad you want on your side and you know he will cover your back. When Rick leaves his replacement will have some big shoes to fill.	This leaves Joe Adair and I as the two longest tenured Wardens in the district. It was not that long ago in my mind that I was the rookie in the district. It really is a fact that time flies by when your having fun.