Dale DeWitt
Dale Ray DeWitt grew up in rural Braman. He was active in sports and 4-H and graduated from high school in 1968. He earned an associate degree in science in 1970 from Northern Oklahoma College and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education in 1973 from Oklahoma State University, where he competed on the livestock judging team.
His first job was working as a hog buyer at John Morrell Packing Co. at Arkansas City, Kan. Shortly after that, he began teaching agricultural education at Helena-Goltry Schools, where he worked for three years. He then moved back to Braman, where he taught agricultural education and farmed for 27 years.
Through the years, DeWitt’s FFA chapters were very competitive in livestock judging, livestock showing, public speaking and leadership activities. He is very proud of the hundreds of ag students who were part of his program and what they have done with their lives to succeed.
He received the Bronze and Silver Teacher of Teachers awards from NVATA; the NAETA Outstanding Agriculture Education Teacher Award; an NAAE Award; Honorary, State and National FFA degrees; the ACTE Oklahoma Distinguished Service Award; and the VIP Award from the Oklahoma FFA Association.
Upon his retirement, DeWitt ran for the Oklahoma House of Representatives District 38 seat. With the help of family and many friends, he was elected in 2001. His philosophy as an ag teacher carried on to the state Capitol, where he dedicated himself to the needs of rural Oklahoma. His focused heavily on agriculture and education. He served as chairman of the Agriculture and Natural Resources A & B committees, majority leader, majority floor leader and chairman of the Oklahoma Redistricting Committee for the Oklahoma House. He served for 13 years, finishing his term in 2014.
He received numerous awards from groups such as the Oklahoma State School Board Association, the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, the Oklahoma Rural Water Association, the Oklahoma Pork Council, OSU Medical, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau and Made In Oklahoma. In addition, he received NOC and OSU Distinguished Alumni Awards. He continues membership in the Oklahoma Retired Teachers Association, the Farm Bureau, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association and the Sirloin Club.
DeWitt married his high school sweetheart, Carol. They have two children, Garrett and Camille, and five grandchildren, Drake, Logan, Daelyn, Kaylee and Bryan. DeWitt continues to stay busy farming, ranching, enjoying grandchildren’s activities and attending church activities.
DeWitt was inducted into the CareerTech Hall of Fame in 2015.
