Orin K. (O.K.) Fulton
Passed: January 17, 2020
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Orin K. (O.K.) Fulton
Passed: January 17, 2020
Obituary
Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Orin K. (O.K.) Fulton, 87, of Litchfield Park passed away peacefully in Litchfield Park, Arizona, January 17, 2020. He was born on September 14, 1932, to John and Leone (Kartchner) Fulton in Snowflake, Arizona. He was a second-generation native Arizonan. O.K. played basketball at the University of Southern Mississippi where he earned a Bachelors’ Degree in secondary education. He earned a Masters’ Degree in Education at the University of South Dakota and a Masters’ Degree in Education Administration at Arizona State University.
O.K. spent his professional career of 41 years in Arizona High Schools. This included two years at Round Valley High School in Springerville, 36 years at Agua Fria Union High School as a teacher, coach, athletic administrator, assistant principal, and principal, and three years as principal at Wickenburg High School. He was elected to the Governing Board of the AFUHS district in 1996 where he served as a board member until 2012.
O.K. was active in the West Valley community for more than 55 years. He was the “Voice of the Owls” announcing Agua Fria football games for 55 years. He was on the Goodyear Town Council and the Litchfield Park City Council for six years each. He was also active in CAS West. During his teaching career, he also served as foreman for Boswell Farms offering summer jobs to many students on the west side of the valley.
O.K. accomplished much in life. These accomplishments included three state basketball championships and selection to the Arizona and National Coaches Hall of Fame. O.K. was named National Athletic Director of the Year, President of the Arizona School Administrators Association, and the ASA Principal of the Year. One of O.K.’s greatest honors was to present Randall McDaniel at his induction into the NFL Hall of Fame.
According to O.K., his passion for teaching and his love of young people allowed him a long career in which he never worked a day in his life. Anyone given the pleasure of knowing O.K. would agree that, with his winning personality, warm smile, repertoire of quotes and corny jokes, he could take command of any room he entered. He found his strength in self-discipline, a strong work ethic and a fierce competitive nature. Throughout O.K.’s many years of community service he instilled in many young men and women the belief that with hard work and determination, regardless of economic or social background, there is no limit to what one could accomplish in a lifetime. However, the most valuable credo he shared was that integrity, a firm handshake and respect of others was the strongest, most enduring quality anyone could possess. However, first and foremost, to “Honor First, Win or Lose.”
O.K. was preceded in death by his father, John; mother, Leone; and brothers, Lafe and Robert. O.K. and his wife Judy have a combined family of six children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. O.K. leaves behind his wife, Judy; daughters, Beth (Mike), Jan (John), Deborah (Tim), Bridget (David) and sons, Mel and Mark (Veronica); grandchildren, Ashley, Damien, Andra, Emily, Madelyn, and Jacob; great-grandchildren, Avery and Lincoln. O.K. is also survived by brothers, Royal and Leo (Odette).
The family of O.K. Fulton would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Hospice of the Valley and to Hacienda del Rey for the excellent care and kindness he received during his extended illness, especially to Krys. Angels do walk among us. “See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.” – Exodus 23:20
A memorial service for O.K. Fulton will be held Saturday, February 8, 2020, 11:00 a.m. at The Church at Litchfield Park, 300 N. Old Litchfield Road, Litchfield Park, AZ with a reception to follow at the O.K. Fulton Gymnasium located at 530 E. Riley Drive, Avondale, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in O.K. Fulton’s name to the Agua Fria Foundation, 14175 W. Indian School Road, Suite B-4, #518, Goodyear, Arizona 85395.
Condolences for the family may be left below.
78 responses to Orin K. (O.K.) Fulton
Pamela Scofield says:
February 7, 2020
OK Fulton was a special member of the Agua Fria Staff. We were lucky in the 60’s to have such great teachers and especially lucky to have Coach Fulton! Coach knew everyone’s name. Not sure how he remembered us all with students coming and going each year. He had the ability to make each student feel they “belonged”. Also, he helped those of us with perhaps not a lot of self confidence, to see our own potentials. I sincerely believe Coach Fulton, cared deeply for each and every student attending Agua Fria.
God Bless Coach and God Bless his Family.
Pam Perkins Scofield, Class of 1967
Keith Bearup (Class of 77) says:
February 8, 2020
From coach to teacher to administrator, Coach Fulton was a leader in every sense of the word! First and foremost, he cared about people! He made you feel like you really mattered. He was a role model, a mentor, a teacher, a coach, and most of all… a friend. He made a positive impact in the lives of countless students, faculty members, parents, and in the community as a whole. He is truly an unforgettable part of our Agua Fria legacy and helped make my years at Agua Fria some of the best years of my life! Thank you Coach Fulton for being such a great leader and friend.
Don Shaver says:
February 8, 2020
Coach Fulton was the reason I went into teaching and coaching. The way he could get through to students and the caring way he handled any situation was special. After being in his biology and physical education classes and being his student assistant my senior year, I knew I wanted to try and touch young peoples lives the way he did. I will forever be grateful for what he taught me he will always be in my heart. My condolences and prayers to his family.
Kimberly West says:
February 8, 2020
Sending prayers to all of the Fulton family. May God wrap His loving arms around you during this time and always. Mr. Fulton was a wonderful and caring administrator. When I asked him if he would be so kind to give a tour of Agua Fria at our 79 and 78 reunion, he happily obliged. It was BEST part of our reunion weekend, spending a few hours with him, and reminiscing about our high school days. He took us into Lisa Brainard’s (class of 79) classroom and didn’t mind that we left post it notes on the students’ desks and wrote 79 rules on her whiteboard. OK will be missed and never forgotten.
Lisa Brainrd says:
February 9, 2020
OK Fulton was a man like no other. He always greeted me with a smile and a hug and called me by name. His sense of humor and unending smile brightened even the most challenging of days. In my professional life he was a valuable resource offering measured advice, encouraging me to always try to see the other side of issues. I remember fondly finding the notes left in my classroom and then explaining them to my students. As seniors, they knew that it was special to be an Owl, and I hope they value that bond even more today. OK truly cared for people around him and understood how important it was to make sure people knew he valued them. He loved the Owls. I will miss this incredible man.