2018 Distinguished Alumni Honoree
Dewey F. Wilson, Jr. ‘66
Dewey F. Wilson, Jr. attended OMA from August 1964 to January 1966. His highest rank held was Staff Sergeant and he was a member of the Color Guard. Wilson was involved with the Chapel Foundation, DeMolay, New Cadet Detail and Cadet Capers. He was awarded the Military Proficiency Ribbon and Merit Ribbon.
After OMA, Wilson enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1966 to 1969 followed by two years inactive reserve. In 1973, he re-entered the Air Force and served in Intelligence Operations until February 1, 1990, when he retired with the rank of Master Sergeant culminating a 22-year career. His career included positions from Intelligence Operations Specialist to Intelligence Operations Superintendent. Wilson served in various assignments worldwide. Decorations awarded to him included the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal (four awards), Air Force Good Conduct Medal (six awards), Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal, and Korea Defense Service Medal. His professional military education included NCO Leadership School, NCO Academy, and Senior NCO Academy.
Wilson graduated from Oklahoma City University in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Graphic Arts and received a Distinguished Achievement Award. He then went on to work as a buyer in the Tulsa County Purchasing Department obtaining and managing bids for goods and services for various county departments and retired in 2005.
Wilson volunteered from 2008 to 2017 at Arms Around BA, a mission of several Baptist churches in the Broken Arrow area. He also is involved with the Military Living History group for the 45th Infantry Division Museum in Oklahoma City. Wilson is also a collector of military memorabilia/artifacts from World War I to Vietnam and has provided numerous military displays around the state of Oklahoma to include displays at Ft. Sill, Tinker AFB, Tulsa Marine Corps League’s annual Medal of Honor events, the National WWII Museum (formerly the D-Day Museum) in New Orleans, and the Eisenhower Museum in Abilene, Kansas.
On January 1, 2017, Wilson became Curator of the Oklahoma Military Academy Museum and was appointed to the OMA Alumni Board in summer 2017.
Wilson and his wife Nona have been married for 43 years. They have one married daughter and two grandchildren who live in Broken Arrow. In his spare time, he creates fine art graphic illustrations using various mediums.
Wilson states, “After having attended OMA, and going through the ‘RABBIT’ period, Air Force Basic Training was a breeze. OMA’s military discipline/training attributed to my success in my military career.”