A look back at a tribute to Will Rogers

Many people are familiar with “Oklahoma’s Favorite Son,” Will Rogers, and his impact on the world more than 100 years ago. He was known for his clever sayings, syndicated column, acting in vaudeville and in the movie industry and for his expert roping skills. In 2015, Field Editor Lacey Vilhauer discovered that Rogers’ great niece, Doris “Coke” Meyer—the last living relative of the famous Oklahoma cowboy—was still living in Oklahoma.

Meyer wrote a book about her famous relative in 2012, titled, “I Called Him Uncle Will,” and even at 95 years old, she was eager to share her memories of Rogers with the High Plains Journal readers. The article was published in conjunction with the 80th anniversary of Rogers’ tragic death in 1935.

Even 145 years after his birth, Rogers remains an American icon, and his life and words still resonate with the masses. Although Meyer died at age 97 in 2017, the memories she shared of her favorite uncle live on in this article, which includes a video interview of Meyer and numerous historical photos provided by the Will Rogers Memorial Museum. To read the full article and view the video and photos, visit hpj.com/2015/08/14/remembering-will-rogers/.

Lacey Vilhauer can be reached at 620-227-1871 or [email protected].