Jack Bonny

Oct. 18, 1939– Feb. 2, 2023

Jack Bonny, 83 of Elk City, Oklahoma and formerly of Canute, Oklahoma was born on October 18, 1939, in Elk City, Oklahoma to Elmo Jackson and Dorothy Jean (Blackmore) Bonny. Surrounded by his loving family, in the comforts of his home, Jack went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

Jack graduated from Canute High School, Class of 1957 and decided to continue his education at Southwestern Oklahoma State University graduating not only with his Bachelors Degree in Social Studies with the Class of 1962 but also obtaining his Masters Degree in Education with the Class of 1966.

Jack grew up farming and he carried on that tradition through college and all of his life. He began his work in the field of education in 1962 and in 1985 he decided to hang up his hat from teaching, leaving a mark on all the students he had the pleasure of teaching and molding over the years.

He married Janet Sue Brooks on July 14, 1961 in Bethel, Oklahoma. After fifty-two years of marriage she preceded him in death on February 4, 2014.

Jack served as Mayor of Burns Flat during that time he was successful in bringing the Spaceport to Western Oklahoma.

He was elected to serve in the Oklahoma Legislature as a State Representative for District 55 from 1992 to 2004 when he reached his term limit. During his twelve years he made a impact on the State of Oklahoma and District 55 not only economically but historically that many in Western Oklahoma will never forget. He was the type of politician that was not just talk he put his words and promises into action.

In 2012 after a generous donation to Southwestern State University to help redo the then named popular Skyview room, the university changed the name to the “Bonny Family Board Room” in his honor and his families honor. In 2017 Jack was one of five alumni of Southwestern State University to be inducted into the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. He was a loyal alumni, and contributor to Southwestern State University Bulldogs till the day he passed. His leadership, generosity and positive perspective will be missed by not only his family but all the facility and students who attended and will attend, Southwestern State University. Many members of Jack’s family have graduated from Southwestern State University and will be there to continue to make Jack’s memory live on.

On September 18, 2021 Jack married Delores Kay (Beck) Finley in Elk City, Oklahoma.

During Jack’s lifetime he served on many boards and in many associations like being President of the Washita County Mineral Owners, Chairman of the Board for the Oklahoma Spaceport, Vice Chairman for the Southwestern Oklahoma Development Authority, Chairman of the Elk City Museum Board, and board member for the Great Plains Regional Hospital, Elk City Regional Airport, and Oklahoma Center on Science and Technology.

He earned many awards like the G. McLaury Memorial Award from National Association of Royalty Owners in 1992, the Outstanding Legislator of the year award from the State Troopers Association in 1994, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Meritorious Service Award in 1995, the Outstanding Legislator of the year by the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce as well as the Economic Development Council Legislative Advocate of the year plus the Vision 2000 Award for State Excellence form the United States Small Business Administration all in 1998.

Jack was inducted in to the Washita County Hall of Fame in 2002 and then in to the Western Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2008.

He was one that never took being a christian lightly. Jack was a attended and was supporter of the First Baptist Church in Elk City, Oklahoma and helped in any way he could.

Celebration of Life services will be held 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 11, 2023, at the First Baptist Church, Elk City, Oklahoma. Rev. Duncan Blackwell will officiate and Rev. Danny Ringer will assist. Services have been entrusted to the care of Richard and Tammy Dugger and the staff of Martin-Dugger Funeral Home in Elk City, Oklahoma.

Jack is survived by one daughter, Christy Browning and her husband, Tommy of Greenville, Texas; one son, Jackie Bonny and his wife Vicki of Yukon, Oklahoma; his wife, Delores Finley of Elk City, Oklahoma; one step son, Jimbo Finley and his wife, Amy of Elk City, Oklahoma, one step daughter, Beckie Beech and her husband, Monte of Cordell, Oklahoma; four grandchildren, Eric Browning of Fate, Texas, Lynsey Peskuski, Brittany Bonny both of Plano, Texas, and Brooke Bonny of Dallas, Texas; five great grandchildren and one on the way, Lucas, Montana, Jax, Kane, and Kingsley; five step grandchildren; and seven step great grandchildren.