Cecil L. O’Brate
Cecil L. O’Brate – farmer, banker, oil and gas producer, ethanol investor, real estate developer, and devoted philanthropist – passed away today in Garden City, Kansas at the age of 95.
O’Brate is survived by his wife of 76 years Frances, who continues to reside in Garden City, KS; four sons Patrick (Jennifer) of Houston, TX, Michael (Judy) of Garden City, KS, Steve (Bonnie) of Garden City, KS, and Mark (Marilyn) of Bentonville, AR; eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter.
O’Brate was born in Enid, OK and later moved to Kansas, graduating from Syracuse High School in 1946. He attended Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater, OK. He then began his illustrious career as a successful farmer and rancher in Southwest Kansas. In 1966, he purchased Palmer Mfg. and Tank Inc., which still operates today. He also owned several banks, farm implement dealerships, and many other ventures. He was well known as one of the largest independent oil and gas producers in the state of Kansas, with the flagship company American Warrior, Inc. He also invested heavily in ethanol production and real estate development, including the forthcoming indoor sports complex in Garden City.
O’Brate was passionate about giving back to community, especially youth. In 2013, Cecil and Frances established the O’Brate Foundation. To date, they have awarded over $7 million in college scholarships to students, most of whom grew up either in foster care or economically disadvantaged. A die-hard Oklahoma State University Cowboys fan, Cecil was the lead donor for the construction of O’Brate Stadium. His namesake baseball stadium proudly displays his mantra, “Make it Happen.”
Plans for a Celebration of Life ceremony at First United Methodist Church are pending. Funeral details and full obituary will be posted on Garnand Funeral Home’s website.
OBITUARIES
Richard “Rick” Phillip Coupland, Jr.
Richard Phillip Coupland, Jr., lovingly known as Rick, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2026, in Flagstaff, Arizona, at the age of 80. Rick was born on August 25, 1945, in Pueblo, Colorado, to Richard Phillip Coupland and Irma Eileen Coupland (Shacklett). He is survived by... [More]
Thelma I. Carlson
Thelma Isabel Carlson of Longmont, Colorado passed away on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at the age of 97. Thelma arrived at the Ferne and Oscar Carlson home in Tribune on December 16, 1928. She joined two-year-old Selma and one-year-old Velma. In the following two years both John... [More]
Arla Peter
Arla Peter, age 71, passed away on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at the Greeley County Hospital in Tribune. She was born on September 17, 1954, in Tribune to Lawrence and Marjorie Woelk Peter. She was a lifelong member of the Tribune community. Surviving family includes her brother... [More]
Judson P. Price, Sr.
Judson P. Price, Sr., age 96, passed away on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at the Sunrise of Sandy Senior Living Center in Sandy, Utah. He was born on April 21, 1930, in Sabetha, the son of Lyle Phillips and Ruth Mildred Hall Price. He was the past owner and operator of... [More]
Becky Lynn Keller
Becky Keller, 74, of Olathe, passed peacefully into God’s arms on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Becky was born on July 14, 1951, to her loving and devoted parents, Israel “Harry” and Thelma Trigg in Ottawa. Her childhood was spent in rural southwestern Kansas, where... [More]
Celebration of Life for Derek Justin Smith
A Celebration of Life for Derek Justin Smith will be held Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church in Tribune. Memorials can be given to the Derek Smith Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 433, Tribune, KS 67879.
Shawn Harney
Shawn Harney, age 61, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2026, surrounded by the love of his friends and family. Born on January 14, 1965, in Norfolk, Shawn grew up with a strong work ethic, a love for family, and a passion for the simple things in life. He graduated from Clarkson... [More]
Don E. Moore
Don Eugene Moore was born on March 3, 1962, in Tribune. He was the son of Emmit C. Moore and RoseElla (Kuder) Moore-Graham. He attended Greeley County High School and graduated in 1980. In 1982, he married Cindy Tillis and they had two children Amanda (Bobby) Ward of... [More]
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- John Warren “Skip” Conard, Jr.
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SPORTS
Greeley County Fun Run/Walk Results for 2026
Photo caption: Ryleigh Gooch, Jim Myers, Reagan Hahn, Quenton Myers, Jeryn Stewart, and Tenley Stewart were among the 36 runners and walkers taking part in Saturday morning’s Fun Run/Walk. The Greeley County Cross Country team would like to thank all of the participants... [More]
Prairie Ridge Golf Course Club Championship held Saturday and Sunday, July 25 and 26
Photo caption: Mike Mishler, left, won the seniors division in the Club Championship with a 162 weekend total. Monica Slattery, center, was the women’s champion; she shot a 93 for the weekend. AJ Govert, right, was the men’s champion. He shot a 144 for the weekend.... [More]
Fireworks & Fairways results
Editor’s note: I apologize for the delay in sharing these results from the Fourth of July. On Saturday, July 4, the Prairie Ridge Golf Course hosted a two-person scramble titled Fireworks and Fairways. Winners were as follows: Championship Flight First... [More]
Cheerleaders bring home hardware from UCA camp
Photo caption: Lorilai Zerr, Britney Helpingstine, and Annaleigh Long flash their various trophies and medals after last week’s UCA Camp in Sterling. Photo by Bailey Talbott. The Greeley County High School Cheerleaders attended a Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA)... [More]
Lady Jackrabbits change style of play during summer competitions
Photo caption: The High School Lady Jackrabbits competed in a Scott City League, at a Greensburg tournament, and at home against Syracuse over the summer. In the front row, from left to right, are Scarlett Shafer, Addyson Kennedy, Shaydan Howell, and Charlize Shafer. In... [More]
Slattery hits hole in one
Jeff Slattery hit his second hole in one on hole two at Prairie Ridge Golf Course at Men’s Night last Thursday evening, July 9. Courtesy photo.
Youth Golf
Photo caption: High School Golf Coach Keith Slattery reported that last Monday’s free golf clinic for students entering third grade through freshman had their best turnout yet. Twenty students took part in the first session, assisted by current high school players. In the... [More]
Adult co-ed softball wraps season
Collin Holmes waits for the pitch on the final night of adult co-ed softball, which was held on Wednesday, July 1.
More Sports
NEWS
Ordinance reminders for City of Tribune residents
Submitted by Jeff Crockett, Unified Administrator Tribune is a great place to live and raise a family. The following is a reminder of some of the City Ordinances that help keep our community a safe and attractive place to live. According to Article 4 of the Code of the City... [More]
Country Fresh Market this Wednesday
The next Country Fresh Market is scheduled for this Wednesday, August 5. The market will take place from 4:30 –6 p.m. in front of and on the lot south of the Greeley County Library, just north of the Greeley County Republican newspaper office. Vendors will... [More]
Fair week temperatures remain toasty
Photo caption: Shade was a hot commodity during Saturday morning’s Fair parade. Photo by Sheryl Crotinger. New all-time high record tied Hot days and warm nights were on tap for Greeley County Fair week, with highs in the mid 90s and 100s and lows ranging from 58 to... [More]
Notice of Hearing - Gutierrez
FIRST PUBLISHED IN THE GREELEY COUNTY REPUBLICAN ON THE 5TH DAY OF AUGUST, 2026, FOR THREE (3) CONSECUTIVE WEEKS IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF GREELEY COUNTY, KANSAS In the Matter of the Estate of Bonnie Louise Gutierrez, deceased Case No. GL-2026-PR-000007 NOTICE... [More]
USD #200 Board of Education Agenda
Monday, August 10, 2026, 6:00 p.m. 1. Call to Order 2. Approval of Agenda 3. Approval of July 8, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes 4. Approval of expenditures and transfers 5. Comments from the public 6. Administrative Reports 6.1. Superintendent / PreK-5 Principal... [More]
Unapproved minutes of the Regular Meeting of USD #200 Board of Education
July 9, 2026, 6:00 PM Board members: Sheryl Crotinger, Shanon Schneider, Aaron Myers, Shea Stewart, and Kenton Mangan. Superintendent John Niehues, JH/HS Principal Dale Wolgram, and Clerk Katie Zerr were present. Absent: Scott Clevenger and Jessica Alexander. From... [More]
Winners announced for Greeley County Fair Photo Contest
The first place photo, as voted on by likes on Greeley County Community Development’s Facebook page, was of Hesston Smith, enjoying a nap on the Little Ferris Wheel at the Greeley County Amusement Association carnival. Photo by Lesa Nolan.
KDOT’s Cost Share Program, with additional dollars, to open applications Aug. 17
The Kansas Department of Transportation will begin accepting applications for the fall 2026 round of the agency’s Cost Share Program Monday, Aug. 17. Nearly $170 million has been given to Kansas communities since the program began in 2019. The Cost Share Program provides... [More]
More News
- Wheatland Electric awards Sharing Success Grant to Senior Center
- The 2026 Greeley County Fair is now underway: 250 years of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
- Primary Election
- Pursuit of Happiness Celebration is scheduled for Saturday, August 1
- Museum celebrates Greeley County and USA’s 250th
- GCCD announces 2026 Fair Photo Contest
- Board of Supervisors meeting notes
- Record breaking temperatures lead into Greeley County Fair week
OPINIONS
Vote NO to keep Kansas courts independent
On August 4, Kansans will decide whether to amend our Constitution and fundamentally change how justices of the Kansas Supreme Court are selected. Whatever one thinks about particular court decisions or individual justices, this vote is about something much larger: whether we... [More]
Open letter to the community: Tilt-A-Whirl plans go sideways
We’re sad and sorry to report that we will not have a Tilt-A-Whirl by the 2026 Greeley County Fair. The seller, a ride company out of Arizona, recently informed the Greeley County Amusement Association board that he would be breaking our contract and not selling the ride... [More]
From the Editor’s iPhone, at the corner of Kiowa County’s Road J and 76
No, there’s not a true intersection there, just a county road, a trail, and a corner post marking the field lines. But there are some free-range yaks - maybe just out of their pen - within a couple of miles. You never know what you’re going to see during harvest…or... [More]
From the editor's desk
Change isn’t my favorite. Though I like to think I’m open-minded and forward-looking, I can become rooted in patterns, comfortable in the way things are done. If I can navigate the mental maze of getting from point A to point Z several times, then just follow... [More]
Letter to the Community: We need lifeguards
How lucky are we to have a small-town swimming pool? Honestly–very. It’s more than just a place to cool off. It’s where summers happen. Kids learn to swim, teens hang out, families relax, and the whole community comes together in one spot. In a small... [More]
In Pursuit: Lesson #1 – From George Washington
Editor’s Note: The Kansas Press Association and Kansas Humanities have partnered to provide access to a series of essays honoring the 250th Anniversary of our nation. There is so much we can learn from the lessons of our past. In Pursuit is a new initiative from... [More]
FFA isn’t all sows, plows, and cows
Photo caption: Anna Marquardt, left, attended the ACC Conference in Lakin last week. Courtesy photo. FFA is growing tomorrow’s leaders, instilling confidence in members, and preparing members for career success and the ACC Conference did just that. ACC stands for authentic,... [More]
Letter to the Editor: Passing the Rotor Act is Plane Common Sense
Failure to pass it means another day, week, month that we put at risk the safety of all passengers who fly our skies. By U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) March 6, 2026 Crafted as a response to the deadly midair collision that occurred over the Potomac River in January... [More]
More Opinions
- Letter to the Editor
- Letter to the Editor: Trump promises handouts to farmers. Politicians promise development benefits. We pay for it all.
- Letter to the Editor
- Right to repair
- Letter to the Editor
- Letter to the Editor
- Letter to the editor: Political uncertainty shakes Kansas farmland values, and prosperity hangs in the balance
- From the Editor’s desk: Reflecting on the Symphony in the Flint Hills
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