One time mayor of Oklahoma City, Dr. Jack S. Wilkes (April 9, 1963 - May 3, 1964) had served as President of Oklahoma City University from 1957 to 1963. After that, for a year he served as pastor of Wesley Methodist Church at NW 25th and Classen in Oklahoma City.
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| http://www.okc.gov/council/okcmayors/ |
Jack Wilkes was born in Honey Grove, Texas, on August 5, 1917 and later settled in Oklahoma City. Wilkes was an ordained Methodist minister, pastoring at various churches including Wesley United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City. He also served as President of Oklahoma City University from 1957 to 1963.
Wilkes ran for Mayor with the backing of the Association for Responsible Government (ARG), an organization promoting efficiency and integrity in City government. The election was dominated by concerns about metropolitan planning, Urban Renewal and the retention of the Mayor-Council-Manager form of government.
During Mayor Wilkes’ time in office, City government became more centralized and citizens passed a sales tax to buttress the City’s finances. The City’s Airport Trust received a large grant for improvements at Will Rogers World Airport and over $317 million was committed toward City growth. The City also celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Land Run in 1964.
Mayor Wilkes resigned in May of 1964 to become President of Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana.(City of Oklahoma City website and Historic Oklahoma County)
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