COVERED WITH LOVE

Hearts were bursting with love as one of Okarche Public Schools’ favorite fans received a special gift at a recent home basketball game.

Prior to the Lady Warriors’ tipoff against Hennessey, longtime Center of Family Love resident David Inge nervously stepped onto the basketball court in anticipation of what school administrators had in store for him.

Surrounded by a sea of familiar faces, Superintendent Josh Sumrall joined Inge on the court, welcoming him back after a lengthy illness and hospitalization.

In appreciation for Inge’s loyal support, Robin Rother stepped forward and presented Inge with a custom-made quilt on behalf of the Okarche Sisterhood of Quilters and Okarche Public Schools.

The quilt was designed from various Warrior sports t-shirts.

“I was a little bit shocked,” Inge said.

Obviously pleased, Inge gave Rother a sweet kiss on the cheek and was quickly engulfed with love and hugs by the high school girls team.

Smiling as he recalled that night, Inge said, “… you couldn’t even see me (under the swarm of the girls team).”

Rother said school staff members reached out to her to see if the group would be able to design and make a quilt for Inge.

“They wanted to honor him for being such a special Warrior fan and I told them we would love to,” Rother said.

A longtime supporter of Okarche Schools, especially its sports programs, Inge has a special place in everyone’s heart at the school district, Sumrall said.

“Whenever he’s able, David can be seen in the stands at Okarche sporting events whether it’s basketball, baseball or softball,” he added.

Also a resident of Okarche and one of David’s biggest supporters, his sister, Diana Luber, often accompanies him to many community functions and said, “David loves the people, his friends and he really enjoys the camaraderie.” Chiming in, Inge said, “I haven’t missed a home game in over 35 years.”

During his hospitalization, Luber said medical professionals weren’t giving Inge much hope and suggested she take him home and place him in hospice care.

They didn’t know how many people would answer a widespread Facebook post calling for prayer on Inge’s behalf.

Within two hours, Luber said, “…prayers were answered and David began to eat and make a complete turn-around.”

Since Valentine’s Day in 1984 when Inge was transferred to his current home at CFL, he’s become a “bit of a celebrity” where most everyone in the community knows him and showers him with love.

Recounting just a few of the honors that the community has bestowed on him through the years, Inge said in the late 80s he was selected to carry the torch through Okarche during the Olympic trials held in Oklahoma City.

Beginning the run on the north edge of town, Inge said, “There was nobody around until I came around the curve.

“It really surprised me when I turned the corner and people were screaming, honking their horns and snapping pictures.”

Another time, he was selected as the honoree for Okarche Public Schools’ A Week of Love (AWOL) in which all the funds raised during the week were ded-icated to helping him and his friends at the Center of Family Love.

Inge said he’s also been honored with a plaque naming him Okarche’s number one honorary fan and was “police chief for the day.”

“When people see me downtown, sometimes they call me the mayor,” Inge said with a laugh and a smile.

Inge was also a featured ambassador at the annual CFL Gala fundraising event held at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

Leading a very active and productive life, Inge has been employed at Walmart, the Vernie Snow Aquatic Center and, at 71 years old, currently works part-time at the CFL air filter manufacturing center.

He also participates in Special Olympics every year, previously running the one-mile event and other long distance races, but he said he now runs shorter distance events.

Inge also recalled a special time in 1987 when he competed against athletes from over 70 other countries in the Special Olympics World Games (previously International Games) on the campus of the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.

He also enjoys golf and has participated in a bowling league.

Even with all his activities, Inge always has time for the Okarche sports teams and loves to encourage and cheer them on to victory.

“There’s nobody in town that doesn’t remember me being at their games,” Inge said.

Keeping up with their schedule and stats, Inge also lovingly shares his opinions on the teams’ performance.

“His passion for Okarche sports is contagious and gives everyone a huge smile seeing his passion,” Sumrall said.

“David can also be very honest in his critique and assessment of how the team has played that particular day, which is another fun-loving attribute.”

Thinking about the relationship which has blossomed through the years, Luber said, “They really spoil him at the school. They love and protect David and he’s their number one fan.” With support from CFL, the school and the community, Luber said, “David has had an amazing life. I’ve always said the Lord works in amazing ways and David is one of them.

“He’s a great ambassador for the Center of Family Love and the town.”

Grateful for the love the community pours out on her brother, Luber said they will treasure the quilt and have plans to hang it prominently on Inge’s bedroom wall.

He’s been a Warrior fan for a long, long time, Rother said.

“It was a pleasure and an honor to be able to do that for someone who’s such a sweet guy,” she added.

With everyone glad he’s healthy again and able to attend home games, Inge said he’ll be there to encourage his favorite teams, giving them pep talks now and then.

“I’ve got this little thing going when they get behind a little, I step out on the sidelines and start the wave… then people start screaming,” Inge said.

As the regular basketball season comes to a close and playoffs begin, Inge will be seated in his VIP seat, front and center, which OHS offi cials had emblazoned with his name when the new gym was built a few years ago.

He’s hard to miss, but by chance you do, you’ll probably hear him cheering for his favorite teams and encouraging them to “go get ‘em.”

As one of the Warriors biggest fans, Inge said, “I’ve been known to scream a little.”