Herman Cecil Sullivan

Herman Cecil Sullivan, Jr., 92, lifelong Seminole resident and civic leader, died Wednesday morning, November 16, 2016. Cecil was born March 11, 1924 in Seminole, Oklahoma to Herman Cecil Sullivan, Sr. and Mary Elizabeth (Hill) Sullivan.  Cecil was the longtime co-owner of Sullivan-Dollar Insurance Agency in Seminole. Cecil grew up in Seminole, attended Seminole Public Schools and graduated from Seminole High School in 1942. While in high school he was very active in the Seminole High School Band and served as Drum Major. After high school he attended the University of Oklahoma until he was called to join the United States Army. Cecil was a Private Ist class in the 99th Infantry Division during World War II and also led General Eisenhower’s Army Band while in the service. Cecil married Geraldine “Jerry” (Matthews) Sullivan on December 5, 1943 and they have had 73 wonderful years of marriage. Cecil’s lifetime of living in Seminole  afforded him the opportunity to give back to his Church and his community. Cecil was a member of the Seminole Church of Christ where he served as an elder for 42 years and was one of the song leaders of the congregational singing at church services. The list of civic activities for the City of Seminole is a testimony to his love for the “City of Seminole” and wanting to help the city grow. “Without Cecil’s wilingness to serve, Seminole would not be the city it is today”. He was a 60 year member of the Seminole Lions Club and had served in all the capacities of the club and was their chief song leader. He was recently awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, the highest honor paid to a member of the Lion’s Club, presented by Lions Club International. Cecil was one of the founding members of the Seminole Industrial Foundation, which led to Seminole obtaining many of the industries located here today. He was one of the leaders who was instrumental in building Seminole State College, he also was a member of the Seminole Chamber of Commerce, serving as president, member of the Seminole School Board, Library Board, Seminole City Council and other countless committees. He has been elected into the Seminole Hall of Fame and and was also named  Citizen of the Year. Cecil is survived by his wife Jerry Sullivan of the home, four daughters; Susan Sullivan of Seminole, Oklahoma, JoAnn Gilkey and her husband Dick of Edmond, Oklahoma, Jill Reynolds and her husband Dan of Seminole and Nancy Klimkowski and her husband Daniel of Edmond, Oklahoma; his grandchildren, Jason Gilkey and his wife Debbie of Nashville, Tennessee, Brad Reynolds and his wife Janelle of Ft. Worth, Texas, Shelly Mercer and her husband Brent of Owasso, Oklahoma, Greg Reynolds and his wife Jaime of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, Ryan Neice of Seminole, Oklahoma, Kristen Miller and her husband Bob of Detroit, Texas and Jenifer Hopkins and her husband Heath of Tahlequah, Oklahoma; great grandchildren, Preston Mercer, Madi  Mercer, Grady Mercer all of Owasso, Oklahoma, Gracie Reynolds, Ellie Reynolds, Ruby Reynolds and Jett Reynolds all of Highland Ranch, Colorado, Christian Cato, Carson Cato, Caden Cato, and Chyler Reynolds all of Ft. Worth, Texas, Levi Miller, Kensley Miller, Maylee Miller of Detroit, Texas, Aislyn Hopkins of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, Connor Sullivan Gilkey and Treasure Ruth Gilkey of Nashville, Tennessee and  Brayden Neice of Houston, Texas. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Monday, November 21, 2016 at the Seminole Church of Christ with Chris Stinnett officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery with military honors. His grandsons and grandsons -in-law will be serving as casket bearers and honorary bearers will the members of the Seminole Lion’s Club, Seminole Industrial Foundation and the Elders at the Seminole Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations for college scholarships be made to:  Communities Foundation of Oklahoma, H.  Cecil Sullivan, Jr. Scholarship Fund #513, 2932 NW 122nd, Suite D, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma  73120-1955. Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma is in charge of arrangements.   Funeral Information: November 21, 2016, 10:30 AM Church of Christ at Seminole, at 12040 Highway 99N, Seminole located at Seminole, Seminole, OK 74868