Lloyd Jernigan [Basketball '16]

Lloyd Jernigan graduated from Checotah High School in 1946, and upon receiving a basketball scholarship, attended Connor State College where he earned his associate degree in 1948. After Connors State, Jernigan attended the University of Tulsa, playing basketball, and eventually transferred to Panhandle State College where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in history and science, and earned an Oklahoma teaching certificate. 

After graduation, Jernigan taught high school science and history and was both boys and girls all sports coach at a small, rural school in Panhandle, Oklahoma. 

After his education career, Jernigan worked for Boeing, which was engaged in research and development of defense systems from 1953-70. Jernigan then owned and operated a small general contracting business for a number of years, and worked for Bechtel on the Alaska pipeline. 

During the 18 years before he retired, Jernigan worked with power plant stations, which included construction, start up, and modifications, along with managing contract negotiations, completion deadlines and project closeouts. 

In 1996, Jernigan retired and returned to Checotah to do all of the things a retired man looks forward to doing. Though, after a month of retirement, Jernigan was offered the Executive Director position for the Checotah Chamber of Commerce. Jernigan since has joined several professional and social organizations and stated he is always one of the first to volunteer his time.

Jernigan was recognized in 2000 as a Checotah High School Significant Alumni, voted the Lions Club Member of the Year in 2005, has won the State of Oklahoma Citation Award and, in 2008, was voted the Checotah Citizen of the Year. 

Jernigan said his accomplishments have been based on family, faith, education, coaches, and a positive attitude.