Winfrey Lee Magnus

Winfrey Lee "w. L." Magnus, born August 29, 1928, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was the second child of Bob Magnus and Laura Winfrey Magnus. The Magnus family was a prominent fixture of Oklahoma City, operating the "The Green Lantern Tea Room," a high-end establishment that attracted celebrities such as Cab Calloway and Oklahoma City's best. Winfrey attended Inman Page Elementary School and Douglass Junior High. However, the family relocated to a farm in Logan County. Afterwards, Winfrey was baptized at Langston A. M. E Church, under the leadership of Pastor Johnson. W. L. completed his studies at both Meridian and Langston High Schools, graduating with honors from Langston High School in 1946. During the years 1946-1948, Winfrey Lee attended Langston University. In 1948, W. L. began working at Tinker Field Air Force Base, and continued until he was drafted in 1950. During the Korean War, Winfrey spent thirteen months on the front line as a Private first-class in the 1st Cavalry Division of the 5th Calvary Regiment with the 1st Battalion. He was meritoriously cited for his service and received "five" Battle Stars, including a Purple Heart prior to being honorably discharged in September 1952. Following his discharge, he returned to Tinker Field Air Force Base for two years before enrolling at University of Arkansas A & M in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. In 1956, W. L. graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Education. He completed post-graduate work at Wichita University, and soon secured a position as flight test engineer with the Boeing Aircraft Company where he worked from 1957-1961. In 1957, W. L. was united in marriage to the former Doris Eva Sutton of Oklahoma City, and one son, Ron L. Magnus, was born to this union. Later, Winfrey L. Magnus joined the McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft firm in St. Louis, Missouri, where he worked until 1965 as flight test engineer and developer of programs for the NASA space program. While living in St. Louis, which was only a few miles away from the East St. Louis, Illinois, home of jazz legendary great Miles Davis, W. L., a gifted guitarist, became active in the music industry playing with several bands including Lloyd Tipton (OKC), Walter Gilmore (Wichita), and the Sonny Rollins Band (St. Louis). Upon returning to Oklahoma City in 1966, Winfrey was employed by Western Electric as a Civil Engineer, retiring twenty-four years later in 1990 from AT&T (formerly known as Western Electric). Following retirement, Winfrey volunteered his vast knowledge and experiences with several civic and community associations. He served as a swimming instructor for the Red Cross and held many offices with the Eastern Golf Club, including President for eight years. While President of the Eastern Golf Club, Winfrey founded his vision to help city youth. One of his greatest thrills was to bring Tiger Woods to Oklahoma City to conduct a golf clinic for local youths. He created the Eastern Golf Club Association "Speakers' Bureau", in which club members visited schools sharing career goals. In addition, he was an ardent member and generous supporter of the Langston University Booster Club and the University of Arkansas A & M, Pine Bluff. When away from his community activities, W. L. was an avid bridge player and loved to fish, swim, and golf. His favorite advice was to "smell the roses while you can!" During the quiet morning of July 8, 2009, surrounded by family and friends, Winfrey Lee Magnus smelled the fragrant bouquet of roses in Heaven's Garden one final time. He was preceded in death by both parents and one sister, Robbie Magnus Hill. Winfrey leaves to celebrate his life and to cherish his memory a beloved son, Atty. Ron L. Magnus, of Washington D. c., other family members, David and Ermentine Long (best friends and special caregivers), other numerous friends and colleagues.