Jack Basse (left) Honored Alum 2003 receives award from committee chair Allan Holcomb (right)

-Related story-

Jack Basse, a member of the Sperry High School Class of 1945, was honored on October 4^th as the 2003 Sperry High School Outstanding Alumnus.  The award was presented to Jack at the annual alumni dinner by the Sperry Alumni Association’s Outstanding Alumni Committee, chaired by Allan Holcomb, Class of 1960, and last year’s outstanding alumnus.  

Jesse James “Jack” Basse was born April 2, 1927 in Tulsa, OK to J.E. and Effie Irene (Peachey) Basse.  He moved with his parents and siblings Bill, Earl, Darlene & Hugh to Sperry in May of 1930. 

Jack started to school in the old Washington School in Sperry in 1933.  He left school his sophomore year and joined the U.S. Navy on his 17^th birthday.  After radio school he became part of the Beach Party Team of five signalmen and five radiomen as part of the amphibious force of the Navy in World War II.  He finished his high school requirements while in the Navy.  He was discharged in June of 1946 and according to Jack, “came home to the most beautiful place in the world, Sperry, Oklahoma”. 

Not too long after returning home, he met the girl of his dreams, Jonnie Fae Lyles.  On January 24, 1948, they were married at Bill and Mary Buck’s home in Tulsa by long time Sperry RLDS minister Ward Rumsey.  Jack was working for the telephone company at that time and came home to Sperry on the weekends. 

In December 1950, as a member of the naval reserves, he was called to active duty to serve on the USS Estes (AGC 12) a communication’s ship as a Second Class Petty Officer during the Korean War.  He came home January 1952. 

Jack then worked as a truck driver for the Santa Fe and B&B Truck Lines in Tulsa.  He began delivering mail in the early 1950s for the U.S. Postal Service, Tulsa, OK, and continued until his retirement in 1983.  

Jack has served as president of the Sperry Chamber of Commerce, President of the Sperry Quarterback Club, Trustee on the Sperry Cemetery Board and the Sperry Utilities Services Authority Board for several years.  He coached many little league baseball teams and for more than 25 years he, James Coyle, and Claude Miller were seen most fall and winter Friday nights running the chains at the Sperry High School football games.  In 1960-61 Jack was instrumental in getting the Sperry Park built and also helping Jack Avant get the “fighter jet” installed for the park which at that time was located west of the current RLDS church.  He continues to be a big supporter of the FFA and other school and civic activities.  

Jack was baptized into the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in January 1962.  He was ordained to the priesthood of the RLDS church first as a priest, then elder and then in 1968 to the office of High Priest.  He served as pastor for the Sperry Branch for approximately 4 years.  He also served as missionary coordinator and has held preaching services and small group meetings throughout the United States and in Mexico, Germany, Sweden, France, England and Holland.  Jack now ministers for Jesus as a Patriarch/Evangelist in the Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.