Eight inducted into Oklahoma Hall of Fame

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- A state Supreme Court justice, a former legislator and a former college football coach were inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame during a ceremony Wednesday evening.

The induction class included Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Marian Opala, former Oklahoma City legislator Hannah Atkins, former University of Texas football coach Darrell Royal, Poteau veterinarian John Montgomery, Oklahoma City businessman Tom Love and the late Ardmore oilman Lloyd Noble.

U.S. District Judge Lee West joked that former federal judge Thomas Brett, also an inductee, did not seem qualified for the Hall of Fame.

"I thought you had to have had a hard time in life," West said. "Tom Brett breezed through a long series of successes and made it look disgustingly easy."

Melvin Dow presented oilman Charles Schusterman, who founded Samson Investments, one of the nation's largest independent oil and gas operations. He and wife, Lynn, have given millions of dollars to projects in Oklahoma and in Israel.

Entertainer and sausage magnate Jimmy Dean presented Royal, a native of Hollis and a celebrated OU quarterback. Even though he went on to coach the Longhorns, he said he has always been proud of his Oklahoma heritage.

Opala, a native of Poland who came to Oklahoma after World War II, said many people in Oklahoma are as deserving of the honor as he is.

"But there could be no one who appreciates it more," he said.

Atkins said she learned the importance of public service from her mother and her father. She served six terms in the state House of Representatives and was secretary of state in the second administration of Gov. Henry Bellmon.

Montgomery was the first veterinarian in LeFlore County when he moved to Poteau in the early 1950s. Being a black man and an outsider, Montgomery found difficulty in winning the confidence of local farmers and ranchers easier.

The former college football and basketball star served 18 years on the Board of Regents of A&M Colleges and played a prominent role in state and local affairs.

Love built a retail fueling operation from a single service station to more than 125 stores in six states. The Shawnee native has also been active as a supporter of St. Gregory's University.

Noble, honored posthumously, endowed a foundation named for his father that has since become known for its work in agricultural and medical research as well as its support of higher education.

Guthrie musician Byron Berline received the Ambassador of Good Will award.