Alfred E. Oulds


Alfred E. Oulds, resident of Ponca City, passed away Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, at his home. He was 86.

Al was born Oct. 30, 1927, in Denver, Colo, the son of Alfred E. and Anne M. Morgan Oulds. The family relocated to Ponca City, and Al graduated from Ponca City High School.

Upon graduation, he attended Northern Oklahoma Junior College and later served in the U.S. Army. After his discharge, Al was employed by Continental Oil Company in Ponca City and Houston, Texas.

Following his passion for golf, he left the corporate world and pursued his dream of becoming a PGA golf professional. He began his golf career as an Assistant Golf Professional at Ponca City Country Club.

In 1969, Al married Mickie Atkins Bussey, and they moved to Wichita, Kan., where he became the Assistant Golf Professional at Pawnee Prairie. Then, in 1970, Al was named the Head Professional at Creve Coeur Golf Course in St. Louis, Mo., where he was awarded Gateway Section Teacher of the Year. After 18 years, he retired from Creve Coeur Golf Course and returned to Ponca City.

Upon Al and Mickie's return, his passion for golf continued through their purchase of The Practice Tee where he provided golf lessons to young and old, and later, his time spent as part of the Wentz Golf Course staff.

Throughout his life, Al continued his involvement in the PGA, often attending tournaments throughout the U.S. Most recently he had the opportunity to attend The Masters in Augusta, Ga.

Al's legacy will continue on through the life lessons he exemplified: the courage to follow his heart, the unconditional love of his family, the confidence to adhere to his convictions, and the ability to inspire others to follow their dreams.

Survivors include his wife, Mickie, of 43 years; daughter, Marsha Orr and husband, Jerry, of Ponca City; son, Scott Oulds of St. Louis, Mo.; stepsons, Billy Bussey and wife, Kathi, of Ponca City, David Bussey and wife, Julie, of Victorville, Calif., George Bussey and wife, Denise, of St. Louis, Mo.; stepdaughter Karol Lea Woods and husband, John, of Red Rock; grandchildren, Keri Bartley and husband, Chris, Casey Orr and wife, Amber, Amanda Oulds, Jennifer Oulds, Toni Cloud and husband, Shane, Jacy Bussey, George Bussey and wife, Gillian, Jimmy Bussey, Traci Bussey, Matt Bussey, Katie Bussey, Jamie Palen and wife, Rebecca, Madison Palen, and Angela Bussey; great-grandchildren, Emma and Sawyer Bartley, Gracie and Jackson Orr, Tommy and Sierra Oulds, Dalton, Payden, Brenon and Shalynn Cloud, Abigail Bussey, Caydon Anderson, and Elise Seo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, and great-grandson, Benjamin Bartley.

At his request, Al's body was donated to medical science. A private family service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Al's name to Wentz Golf Course, Junior Golf Program c/o Rod Alexander, 2928 LA Cann Drive, Ponca City, OK 74604 or Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 1904 N. Union, Ste. 103, Ponca City, OK 74601.

And, one of his final requests was, for those who shared his love of the game, to play a round of golf in his memory.