Billy Connors managed the OKC 89ers in 1977
Farewell to people with Oklahoma ties who enjoyed the game day experience:
•Billy Connors, 76, of Safety Harbor, Florida. Before he became a longtime pitching coach for the New York Yankees, Connors managed the Oklahoma City 89ers in 1977 to a 70-66 record.
The New York Times said Connors, who had short stints with the Cubs and Mets as a right-handed pitcher, ended up having a "long career as a coach known for teaching new pitches and rebuilding pitchers’ mechanics."
•Roger Allen, 95, of Oklahoma City. The Kiowa High School graduate played football at Eastern Oklahoma and Murray State junior colleges. A sports fanatic "who could argue baseball stats with his grandsons for hours," a family obituary said.
Allen was an American hero. As a tailgunner on a downed B-24 bomber during World War II, he survived a two-month, 500-mile march through Germany as a prisoner of war.
•Shirley Tatum Avery, 84, of Edmond. She played basketball at Maud High School. Avery once said there was a time when she would rather play ball than eat.
•Jason Johnson, 41, of Eunice, Louisiana. A talented sprint car driver who raced many times on dirt tracks in Oklahoma City, Lawton and Salina. He won five points championships with the American Sprint Car Series before joining the World of Outlaws' pro circuit. He was the Outlaws' Rookie of the Year in 2015, and in 2016 won the Knoxville Nationals, long considered the Super Bowl of sprint car racing.
Johnson died from injuries suffered in a recent race in Wisconsin. He crashed as he battled Owasso's Daryn Pittman for the lead.
•Gene Newman, 89, of Oklahoma City. He graduated from Putnam City High School, where he lettered in football and track. Newman loved motor sports. He restored his father's 1926 Harley-Davidson racing cycle that is currently displayed in the Oklahoma History Center.
•Mark Ring, 43, of Del City. He wrestled at Del City High School, then went on to become a Green Beret. Served four tours in the Middle East.
•Sonny Harper, 64, of Oklahoma City. Played baseball at Capitol Hill High School and the University of Central Oklahoma. The retired Oklahoma City fireman was also a tournament fisherman.
•Harry Snider Sr., 87, of Moore. Starred in basketball and football for Moore High School. He helped account for all the points in a 3-2 football victory. He was tackled in the end zone as the opponent took a 2-0 lead — then Snider kicked the game-winning field goal. Received a home visit from Oklahoma coach Bud Wilkinson.
•William Ferguson Jr., 56, of Oklahoma City. He played Little League Baseball and then excelled at basketball at Hefner Junior High and Putnam City High. He served as a women's assistant basketball coach at Redlands Community College in El Reno and
St. Gregory's College in Shawnee.
•Ronald Hutton, 71, of Edmond. He played football, basketball and ran track at Braman High School. Hutton went on to play football at Northern Junior College in Tonkawa. The National Guard veteran worked in the insurance trade.
•Greta Gulihur Burks, 89, of Oklahoma City. She was a cheerleader at Classen High School.
•Doc Rehl, 77, of Rogers, Arkansas. The Longdale native worked in education, including time as basketball and track coach.
•Esther Leyva Ingersoll, 26, of Oklahoma City. She was a manager for the Midwest City High School volleyball team.
•John Huffman, 83, of Edmond. A competitive runner who participated in the Boston Marathon and other events. An avid golfer who attended The Masters and British Open.
•Tony Osborne, 48, of Oklahoma City. He raced Pro Stocks at old State Fair Speedway for several years.
•Tom Stevenson Sr., 90, of Oklahoma City. He played adult league softball and participated in competitive archery. The World War II veteran played football and baseball in high school.