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.

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