Family Hopes Others Learn From Man Who Died Jumping Off Skiatook Lake Bluffs

The family of a man who drowned at Skiatook Lake is begging Oklahomans to learn from their grief.

Jeffrey Clegg died after illegally jumping from some bluffs, and it's something lake patrol has been struggling with for years.

Clegg was an only child. His family says he was quiet, but quick to smile and loved the outdoors.

They say he made a bad decision and now they're suffering because of it.

"He was a good, good, good guy who loved his family and he just made a mistake," said his aunt, Tammy Isenhour.

Clegg's aunt and uncle say he was a fun-loving thrill seeker, and that may have cost him his life.

6/9/2013 Related Story: Man Drowns In Skiatook Lake

"It's not worth it, that few minutes of excitement and fun is not worth it," Tammy said. "Not worth what everybody's going through in our family. It'll never be the same."

Tammy Isenhour says her nephew had been jumping off these bluffs all day at Skiatook Lake. But when the 32-year-old hit the water wrong and lost his breath, he never resurfaced.

Lake Patrol has had on ongoing problem with people jumping off of the cliffs, so much so that they posted big red signs saying "No diving or jumping." You can actually see the signs from across the lake.

The signs haven't stopped the cliff jumping.

A video taken at Skiatook Lake even shows the sign, then reveals numerous people hurling themselves into the water below.

"There's going to be the adventure seekers. They could fence it off, and they'll just climb or cut the fence. I just don't know how to stop them," said Jeffrey Clegg's uncle, Jim Isenhour.

The Isenhours say first responders told them people were jumping off the cliffs while rescuers searched for Clegg's body.

Enforcement officers write tickets when they see violators, but the Oklahoma Highway Patrol says the cliffs are a problem every summer.

"We just urge people to stop, think about what they're doing. Stay away from the cliffs, don't jump," said Captain George Brown.

Clegg leaves behind two children, an 11-year-old boy and 8-year-old girl. His family says he loved his kids more than anything and they hope others can learn from his tragic mistake.

"Maybe one person will think twice and it won't happen to them and one family will be saved this pain," Tammy said.

Clegg's family says he had no insurance. They've set up a fund in his name to help out the two children he leaves behind. You can donate at any Banc First location.