I enjoyed catching up with legendary author, attorney and Broken Bow native, Bob Burke over lunch recently. Bob has written more historical and non-fiction books than anyone in history. His stellar career includes being an ABC football broadcaster, respected historian and induction in the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.
Bob would call our Broken Bow high school games in the 1980’s, then be on TV doing an ABC football broadcast the next day. The Broken Bow boy that grew up next to my grandparents, has made a huge impact in Oklahoma.
Bob is elated about the tourism boom in Broken Bow and co-wrote a historical Broken Bow book.
“Uncle Johnny Beavers would not believe his eyes if he could see the booming tourism in and around what once was his farm along the Mountain Fork River. From his vantage point in the “bend” in the river, Uncle Johnny surely thought God had carved out this magnificent vista just for him. However, he was a man who shared his bounty with his neighbors. He was a legendary hunter who frequently gave his dressed game to fishermen drifting down the sparkling water of the Mountain Fork.
If visitors came by around meal time, Uncle Johnny invited them into the house where his wife, Aunt Levina, always had three or four different fresh meats cooked up or hanging in the smokehouse.
I predict that if any of the millions of visitors to our beloved Beavers Bend and Hochatown run across Uncle Johnny in Heaven, he will stick out his chest and say, “See what I preserved for you. I was glad to share it with you!”
-Bob Burke
“Bob Burke is one of the hardest workers I know. Must have been a work ethic he picked up as a child…no one loves Oklahoma more than he.”
-Mick Cornett, Former Oklahoma City Mayor
Bob Burke, an Oklahoma legend. His kindness, tremendous heart and great contributions will always be cherished by those that love the Sooner State.
Jerry Isbell, a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, has a diverse background in corporate, entrepreneurial and international sales, marketing, philanthropy and media ventures. In 2021, he co-authored the book "Explosion of Prosperity-A History of Broken Bow Lake, Beavers Bend State Park and Hochatown" with Oklahoma Hall of Fame member and famed author/attorney, Bob Burke.
Isbell began his career in media and marketing at KGOU Radio, KTVY Television and Remington Park Racetrack in Oklahoma City. Isbell also worked at a network affiliate in Minneapolis, MN. He has consulted internationally on sales, marketing and media projects.
Isbell was chosen as Oklahoma’s first field representative for Xerox Corporation's authorized agency program in the early 1990's. He later enjoyed success at Curtis 1000, an international print communications company, and was named “Great Plains Sales Representative of the Year” in 1994 and 1995.
In the late 1990's Isbell worked in management at Commercial Financial Services. He led a department of over 50 employees and was responsible for millions of dollars in monthly revenue. Isbell returned to Xerox in 1999 and won numerous Par Club awards while simultaneously completing the Xerox Management Program and earning certifications in Lean Six Sigma. He directed new business development territories that produced multi-million dollar annual sales in public, corporate and graphic arts sectors. He is a consultant for the Xerox Agent organization covering Oklahoma.
He has traveled the United States and Europe on projects involving marketing, sales, media, social media, including a project to begin an English speaking television channel in Paris, France.
Isbell founded BeaversBendVacations.com, a popular luxury resort in the mountains of southeastern Oklahoma. This creation was featured in the Sooner State’s centennial celebration book, Treasures of Oklahoma.
Isbell has been involved in American Kennel Club dog shows with his nationally ranked Brussels Griffon and boxers for many years. He resides in Norman, OK with his wife Sherri, a senior administrator at the University of Oklahoma. Sherri was named the International Publishing and Management Association’s National Contributor of the Year in 2013 and she has served as their President.
