Flagstaffsooner
3/31/2006, 02:08 PM
Former OU coach, player dies
By Berry Tramel
The Oklahoman
Dale Arbuckle, who played for Bennie Owen at OU and then lived long enough to speak to Bob Stoops’ 2004 team, died Thursday at the age of 102.
Arbuckle, who had a sparkle in his eye and a smile on his face, was of good mind into his second century, ready with stories about riding Pullman cars to games in the 1920s and analysis about Howard *************** games in the 1990s.
“His enthusiasm and energy is amazing,” former OU assistant coach Merv Johnson said last year about Arbuckle’s visit to a Sooner football practice. “A lot of personality.”
Said ex-Sooner fullback J.D. Runnels: “Wisdom comes with age. He had a lot. I remember the team being so inspired when he would show up.”
Arbuckle played for, coached for or personally knew every OU coach from 1905 to 1994; he went to every OU-Texas game from 1922 through 1987, a streak ended only when his late wife, Helen, had a stroke. Helen died in 1991 after 62 years of marriage.
In 1935, the Arbuckles moved into a Mesta Park home just north of downtown Oklahoma City. Dale lived there still at the time of his death.
Arbuckle was a two-time all-state football player at Enid in 1920-21, then went to OU and worked his way through school, playing football and washing uniforms for $1.25 per week while also waiting tables at his Phi Gamma Delta frat house.
Arbuckle coached at Duncan and Oklahoma City Central, compiling a record of 108-21-8 in 13 years.
He then joined OU coach Tom Stidham’s staff. In six years at his alma mater, Arbuckle coached both football and baseball and served as acting athletic director during World War II while Jap Haskell served in the Navy.
Arbuckle then ran the downtown Dunlap Sporting Goods stores until his retirement.
Arbuckle remains in the OU record book. On Oct. 24, 1925, he intercepted five passes in the Sooners’ 9-0 victory over Southern Methodist at Dallas’ Fair Park.
Arbuckle is survived by his daughter, Carolyn Swaim of Woodland Hills, Calif.
Services, under the direction of Guardian Funeral Home, are set for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church chapel.
God Bless his Sooner Soul.
By Berry Tramel
The Oklahoman
Dale Arbuckle, who played for Bennie Owen at OU and then lived long enough to speak to Bob Stoops’ 2004 team, died Thursday at the age of 102.
Arbuckle, who had a sparkle in his eye and a smile on his face, was of good mind into his second century, ready with stories about riding Pullman cars to games in the 1920s and analysis about Howard *************** games in the 1990s.
“His enthusiasm and energy is amazing,” former OU assistant coach Merv Johnson said last year about Arbuckle’s visit to a Sooner football practice. “A lot of personality.”
Said ex-Sooner fullback J.D. Runnels: “Wisdom comes with age. He had a lot. I remember the team being so inspired when he would show up.”
Arbuckle played for, coached for or personally knew every OU coach from 1905 to 1994; he went to every OU-Texas game from 1922 through 1987, a streak ended only when his late wife, Helen, had a stroke. Helen died in 1991 after 62 years of marriage.
In 1935, the Arbuckles moved into a Mesta Park home just north of downtown Oklahoma City. Dale lived there still at the time of his death.
Arbuckle was a two-time all-state football player at Enid in 1920-21, then went to OU and worked his way through school, playing football and washing uniforms for $1.25 per week while also waiting tables at his Phi Gamma Delta frat house.
Arbuckle coached at Duncan and Oklahoma City Central, compiling a record of 108-21-8 in 13 years.
He then joined OU coach Tom Stidham’s staff. In six years at his alma mater, Arbuckle coached both football and baseball and served as acting athletic director during World War II while Jap Haskell served in the Navy.
Arbuckle then ran the downtown Dunlap Sporting Goods stores until his retirement.
Arbuckle remains in the OU record book. On Oct. 24, 1925, he intercepted five passes in the Sooners’ 9-0 victory over Southern Methodist at Dallas’ Fair Park.
Arbuckle is survived by his daughter, Carolyn Swaim of Woodland Hills, Calif.
Services, under the direction of Guardian Funeral Home, are set for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church chapel.
God Bless his Sooner Soul.