OKC Friday okcfriday.com • facebook.com/okcfriday Vol. 59, No. 40
People you should know
February 13, 2026
Don Howe and Helen Wallace were friends in high school and reconnected at a class reunion in 2024. She is wearing his 1958 U.S. Grant class ring.
- Photo by Rose Lane
1 Section • 14 Pages
At 86, couple is enjoying life with lots of laughter By Rose Lane Editor In 2024, Don Howe passed on open heart surgery so he could try to win Helen Wallace’s heart with an invitation to their high school reunion. Both 1958 graduates of U.S. Grant High School, the pair had been very good friends in high school. But, they never dated. Helen and Don attended the University of Oklahoma. She pursued a journalism degree and he became a chemical engineer. They saw each other twice during their college years. See FUN, Page 11
STACY McNEILAND CEO & President Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma Where did you grow up, and do you have a favorite childhood memory? I grew up in Oklahoma City. One of my favorite childhood memories is going Girl Scout camping with my mother. What did you want to be when you grew up? A professional dancer. What are you most passionate about professionally? Children. I love seeing them grow, flourish and experience challenges and success. Has your definition of success changed as you’ve developed your career? See PYSK, Page 2
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Devon to maintain ‘significant’ presence in OKC By Eric Oesch Staff Writer Many were surprised last week when Devon Energy announced its merger with Houston-based Coterra Energy along with a forthcoming headquarter move to Houston. The combination creates a leading large-cap shale operator with a high-quality asset
Allied Arts launches $3.85 mil campaign Allied Arts officially launched its 2026 fundraising campaign at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art with more than 200 supporters in attendance. Campaign cochairmen Susan Davis Jordan and Farooq Karim announced that more than $1 million has been raised toward the $3.85 million campaign goal. The Allied Arts annual campaign supports more than 40 See ARTS, Page 3
base anchored by a premier position in the economic core of the Delaware Basin. The combined company is to be named Devon Energy with headquarters based in Houston. Devon officials say they plan to maintain a “significant” presence in Oklahoma City. The new company is expected to unlock substantial value by leveraging each
company’s core strengths and through the realization of $1 billion in annual pre-tax synergies. The transaction, unanimously approved by the board of directors of both companies, is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and customary See DEVON, Page 2
FRIDAY’s Dog of the Week Mango is Jeff and Shannon Lockwood’s four-year-old golden doodle. Her favorite hobbies are trying to sneak her plush toys outside and sharing peanuts with Jeff. She is a very good girl! Email Pet of the Week submissions to rose@okcfriday. com.
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