February 6, 2023
By News Director Jared Atha
Funeral services have been set for a former western Oklahoma state representative who passed away on Thursday.
Family members and friends will gather on Saturday at 2p.m. at the Elk City First Baptist Church to celebrate the life of 83-year-old Jack Bonny.
As stated in his obituary Bonny, a Canute High School graduate, continued his education at Southwestern Oklahoma State University where he obtained his Bachelors Degree in Social Studies and a Masters Degree in Education.
Among his many professions, Bony would work in education from 1962 to 1985. He also served as Mayor of Burns Flat and was successful in bringing the Spaceport to Western Oklahoma. He is perhaps best known for his work at the state capitol, serving 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 an impact on the State of Oklahoma and District 55 not only economically but historically that many in Western Oklahoma will never forget.
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.
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.
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