John Richard Cathey was born June 13, 1933 in Pauls Valley, Okla., to John A. and Hazel B. Cathey and died on April 15, 2020 in Durant, Okla., at the age of 86.
John grew up in Pauls Valley and graduated high school there in 1951. Upon graduation, he attended Cameron University in Lawton, Okla., for a short time before moving to Stillwater, Okla. to attend Oklahoma State University.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army in August of 1953 at the end of the Korean War. He was fortunate to serve all his time stateside in Ft. Belvoir, Va., and Ft. Bragg, N.C. After his discharge in June 1955, he returned to the Lindsay, Okla., area and worked in the oilfield.
During this time, he met his long-time love, Wynona Wigley. On August 22, 1958, they married and shared 61-plus years of memories together. They immediately moved to Okmulgee, Okla., where he received a Certificate of Drafting from Oklahoma State Tech. This was the background for his long-term career as an abstractor and title insurance professional.
John worked for and managed companies in Oklahoma City and Andarko before moving to Durant in 1977 to purchase and operate Bryan County Abstract Company. Throughout his title career, he held many offices both for the Oklahoma Land Title Association (OLTA) and the American Land Title Association (ALTA). He served both associations as President and was involved with many committees for both. One of his biggest passions was serving on the legislative side of the industry. He logged many hours on the phone and in person with politicians and lobbyists at the Oklahoma State Capitol and in Washington, D.C.
One of John’s proudest accomplishments to him personally was his involvement in the formation of TIAC (Title Insurance Assurance Company), a leading errors and omissions insurance company for the industry. His service with ALTA allowed he and Wynona to visit many state conventions and form long lasting friendships nationwide. John’s work with the OLTA and ALTA and his vast knowledge of the title industry made him very well respected with his peers. It was this respect that earned him the honor of being the first “Bill Gill Title Award” recipient in 1989. After his retirement from BCAC in 1997, he owned and operated Cathey Consultants and continued his work in that capacity until his death.
John was always heavily involved in local civic work as well and served Durant as a City Councilman and a long-time member and chairman of the Durant Industrial Authority (DIA). His work with the DIA helped to bring Durant infrastructure such as Durant Lake and new airport facilities and such businesses as Big Lots, Cardinal Glass and Eagle Suspension. His knowledge will be sorely missed by many.
He enjoyed many rounds of golf and was proud of his three hole-in-ones on the Durant Country Club course. John also spent countless hours planting and tending to the beautiful flowers and plants at he and Wynona’s Durant home.
He is preceded in death by his parents, John A. and Hazel B. Cathey, and a brother, Harve Cathey.
He is survived by his wife, Wynona; sons, David Cathey and wife, Deanna, and Scott Cathey and wife, Melissa; and cherished grandchildren, Michael Cathey and Lauren Cathey, all of Durant.
Private family service will be held.
