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
Ivan Earl Parks
Longtime Goodland resident Ivan Earl Parks, 95, passed away on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at the Greeley Long Term Care Facility in Tribune. Ivan was born on February 22, 1931, in Stockton to Earl and Pearl (South) Parks. He attended school in Stockton through the 8th grade.... [More]
Carl Levi Evans
Carl Levi Evans, age 42, passed away on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at the Greeley County Hospital in Tribune. He was born on August 5, 1983, to Carl Albert and Synthia Lynne Evans in Tribune. He was a dedicated husband, father, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and... [More]
David Northrup
David Northrup passed away on April 9, 2026. Born on October 18, 1950, Northrup was 75 when he passed away. David graduated from Greeley County High School in 1968. He was a member of the basketball team that won a state title that year. Services were held on... [More]
Lloyd E. Surprise
Lloyd E. Surprise, age 92, passed away on April 10, 2026 at Scott County Hospital in Scott City. He was born on September 3, 1933, in Greeley County, Kansas, the son of Mark and Effie Surprise. Lloyd went to grade school in Weskan. His family moved to Greeley County, where... [More]
Celebration of Life for Daryl Miller
The family of Daryl Miller warmly invites all Daryl’s friends to join them on Saturday, April 18, at 3 p.m. at the Greeley County 4-H Building for his “Going Away” party. Family and friends will gather to honor and celebrate Daryl’s life. All are invited... [More]
Derek Justin Smith
Son, even though you didn’t make it to the end of our story, we will always have the corner folded down on your page because it was one of our favorites. - Dad and Mom With heavy hearts and the world becoming quieter and dimmer, we mourn the traumatic and heartbreaking... [More]
Venita Fankhauser
Venita Fankhauser (née Stewart), aged 89, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2026, in Meridian, Idaho. Born on September 3, 1936, in Littlefield, Texas, Venita lived a life filled with love, dedication, and community. Venita met the love of her life, Paul Fankhauser,... [More]
Catherine Ann Wilson
Catherine Ann Wilson, 83, passed away Friday, February 20, 2026, at the Greeley County Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. Ann was born on Easter Sunday, April 5, 1942, in Okmulgee, Okla., to Clarence and Margaret (St. Clair) Ogle, Jr. She grew up in Rock Springs, Wyo.... [More]
More Obituaries
- Carl Eugene Le Blanc
- Jaqualine “Jackie” Smith
- Ethel D. Kuder
- Graveside Services scheduled for Carl LeBlanc
- Celebration of Life scheduled for Derek Smith
- Darrell Piper
- Daryl Eugene Miller
- Graicy Liv Platt
SPORTS
High School Jackrabbits compete in track meets at Scott City, Montezuma
Photo caption: Samuel Warner threw the shot put at the Scott City Relays on Tuesday, April 21. Photo by Sheryl Crotinger. Compiled with information submitted by High School Track Coach Haylee Hennick Greeley County High School Track and Field traveled to Scott City on Tuesday,... [More]
Golf team competes in varsity tournament in Grinnell
Photo caption: Maggie Votruba, a senior golfer, has competed with both the varsity and junior varsity squads this year. This photo was taken at a JV meet earlier in the year. Photo by Drew Zerr. The Greeley County Golf team had a slow week this past week with only one varsity... [More]
Junior High Jackrabbits compete in Cheyenne Wells, Colo. meet
Photo caption: Jackrabbit runners Ruben Coello, Deacon Gooch, and Paul Marcelino chase a runner from Burlington during last Thursday’s meet in Cheyenne Wells. Photo by Trista Shafer. Compiled with information submitted by Junior High Track Coach Keli Myers The... [More]
Jackrabbits compete in track meet in Elkhart last Thursday
Photo caption: Taven Schmidt, wearing bib number 12, and Marco Coello, next right, challenged a couple of Hugoton runners at last Thursday’s high school track meet in Elkhart. Schmidt placed first in the 800-meter run; Coello placed fourth. Photo by Trista Shafer. ... [More]
Golf team competes at Goodland, Grinnell, and Atwood
Photo caption: Braxon Mangan, Maggie Votruba, James Marquardt, and Knox Mangan claimed second place as a team at the Saturday, April 18, varsity meet in Atwood. They are pictured here with Head Coach Keith Slattery. Photo by Brecken Mangan. The Greeley County High School... [More]
JH Tracksters break records at two meets
Photo caption: Brielle Harkness, Tenley Stewart, Kendrix Mangan, and Baileigh Schmidt claimed first place in the 4x200-meter relay, breaking a school record and setting a new team record. Photo by Brecken Mangan. On Tuesday, April 14, the Junior High Track team traveled... [More]
Golfers tee off season with three first-week meets
Photo caption: James Marquardt, Marco Coello, Luke Clevenger, Knox Mangan, Caleb Young, and Braxon Mangan, pictured here with golf coach Keith Slattery, competed in their first varsity meet of the season on Tuesday, April 7. Photo by Brecken Mangan. The Greeley County... [More]
Jackrabbits place fourth, fifth as teams at home opener
Photo caption: Bailey Moritz, Jeryn Stewart, Charlize Shafer, and Jailyn Brandl finished first in the 4x800-meter rely with a time of 11:29.05. Courtesy photo. The Greeley County Jackrabbits hosted the first track meet of the season on Tuesday, March 31. It was a windy and... [More]
More Sports
- Junior High Jackrabbits break four school records at first meet
- Mangan breaks one free throw record, ties second
- Four Jackrabbits named to Northwest Kansas All-League Teams
- Lady Jackrabbits defeated by Longhorns to end season
- Grubb places second, Reynolds places fourth at WaKeeney Powerlifting Meet
- Basketball Memories
- Jackrabbits defeat Eagles, fall to Lancers to end season
- Lady Jackrabbits defeat Kiowa County to advance to next round of sub-state play
NEWS
First Farm Bank honors Alan Peter
First Farm Bank honored Alan Peter, Senior Vice-President of Lending, at a reception on Wednesday, April 22. Peter plans to retire in May after a long banking career in Tribune. He is pictured here with the staff from First Farm Bank. They are, front row, from left to right,... [More]
This Weekend: The 43rd Annual Loyalty Day Spring Livestock Show
The 43rd Annual Loyalty Day Spring Livestock Show is almost here! Local 4-H and FFA Members will be competing against other area exhibitors from Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Nebraska here in Tribune. The sheep, goat, and swine shows will take place on Saturday,... [More]
A rural nonprofit grocery store is closing in Kansas, showing how hard it is to fight food deserts
Photo caption: Cara Cain, manager for the rural grocery store Grand Avenue Market in Plains, helps a customer check out. The store is set to close by the end of the month.Photo by Calen Moore of the Kansas News Service. Rural communities have been turning to nonprofits... [More]
Despite forecasted moisture, conditions remain dry
Photo caption: The sun rose colorfully behind light clouds on Friday morning, April 24. Photo by Ryan Tyrell. Though last week’s forecast provided hope for moisture, a scant .01 inches was recorded at the Experiment Station. The week’s high temperature... [More]
Board of Supervisors meeting notes
Notes by Christy Hopkins and Sheryl Crotinger Monday, April 27, 2026, 1 p.m. Supervisors present: Chairman Steve Mangan, Monty Moritz, Stan Shafer, Scott Steele, and Alan Waggoner Others present: Deputy County Clerk Kaylie Carney, Unified Treasurer Diane Gentry, Unified... [More]
Managing stress key to protecting health and building resilience
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Stress is a universal experience, touching people of all ages and backgrounds, but when it becomes chronic, it can pose serious risks to physical and mental health, according to a Kansas State University extension agent. Joy Miller, a family and community... [More]
Jackrabbits bring home state powerlifting titles
Photo caption: Mia Reynolds, junior at Greeley County Schools, claimed first place in her division in squat, lifting 285 pounds. Photo by Megan Reynolds. Seventeen Greeley County Jackrabbits traveled to Claflin (Central Plains) last weekend to take part in the 2026 Kansas... [More]
Greeley County Fair Theme for 2026
This year’s fair theme is “250 Years of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness!” The Greeley County Fair will take place starting on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, and run through Saturday, August 1, 2026. We are planning a major change for this... [More]
More News
- Evans honored
- Board of Education unofficial meeting minutes
- Trees still available
- Wildfire Risk and Utility Readiness workshop
- Freezing temperatures, dry conditions threaten wheat
- Stewart to play in June 6 All-Star Volleyball Game
- Mobile Tone Hearing expands local services
- Historical Society hosts community potluck, annual meeting
OPINIONS
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]
Letter to the Editor
Many of your readers may be interested to learn an artist of national reputation has painted a landscape entitled, Greeley County Summer. It may be viewed on the artist’s website: catherinefreshleyart.com. Click on prints, select paper or canvas and scroll until you find... [More]
Letter to the Editor: Trump promises handouts to farmers. Politicians promise development benefits. We pay for it all.
As has been widely speculated, Monday brought news that the Trump administration will provide several billion dollars in bailouts to farmers, with an emphasis on corn and soybean growers. Only a small portion may go to Kansas wheat farmers. Predictably, political dances followed... [More]
Letter to the Editor
After watching about three hours of the Supreme Court debate over tariffs, I learned something significant. As of Wednesday, November 5, tariffs amount to an 18% tax on all of us. On top of all the other taxes, that 18% shocked me. That number was shared in the Supreme Court... [More]
Right to repair
Right to Repair is one of the hottest topics not only in agriculture, but also in the US. In the bustling industrial economy, money-hungry companies are looking for any way to save a penny or pass on costs onto the consumer. This then accumulates into the Right... [More]
More Opinions
- 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
- Letter to the Editor: With Trump and Musk driving U.S. policy, Kansas farmers have been played for suckers
- Letter to the Editor: Donald Trump is not our king
- Open letter to Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall
- Letter to the Editor - School bond issue
©2026 Greeley County Republican. Powered by Pluto Sites.