Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State Football Mourns the Loss of Ralph Wilson
February 23, 2021 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER – Former Oklahoma State football player Ralph Wilson passed away Saturday at the age of 73 after a long battle with Alzheimer's.
Wilson, who was on the Cowboy football team for the 1966 to 1969 seasons, also served OSU football as part of the chain crew for 26 years at home games.
Born in Alva, Oklahoma on November 28, 1947, Wilson grew up in Waynoka, Oklahoma, and became the first All-State player to come out of the town as he earned a scholarship to play at OSU.
As part of the Cowboy football program, Wilson played for Coach Phil Cutchin and Coach Floyd Gass. In his career in Stillwater, Wilson played both offensive end and defensive end. He was part of Cowboy football teams that combined for 16 wins, including a 10-7 win at No. 3 Colorado in 1967, a 21-17 win at No. 11 Houston in 1968 and a 28-19 Homecoming win against No. 15 Kansas State in 1969.
Wilson went on to earn a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from OSU, and afterward spent the rest of his career working in Cushing, Oklahoma as a teacher and coach.
During his career in Cushing, Wilson coached football, wrestling and boys and girls golf. He became known around the state for his successful golf teams, as his boys teams combined for 17 regional championships and four state championships, and his girls teams combined for eight regional championships and five state championships. He coached 24 all-state golfers, was named the Oklahoma Boys Golf Coach of the Year in 1991, was named the Oklahoma Girls Golf Coach of the Year in 1995 and was inducted into the Cushing High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017.
In addition to his career success, Wilson was loved by his students, sang in the choir at First Baptist Church, hunted rattlesnakes and chaperoned high school dances with his wife, Debbie.
A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, February 27 at 10 a.m. at FBC Cushing.
Wilson, who was on the Cowboy football team for the 1966 to 1969 seasons, also served OSU football as part of the chain crew for 26 years at home games.
Born in Alva, Oklahoma on November 28, 1947, Wilson grew up in Waynoka, Oklahoma, and became the first All-State player to come out of the town as he earned a scholarship to play at OSU.
As part of the Cowboy football program, Wilson played for Coach Phil Cutchin and Coach Floyd Gass. In his career in Stillwater, Wilson played both offensive end and defensive end. He was part of Cowboy football teams that combined for 16 wins, including a 10-7 win at No. 3 Colorado in 1967, a 21-17 win at No. 11 Houston in 1968 and a 28-19 Homecoming win against No. 15 Kansas State in 1969.
Wilson went on to earn a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from OSU, and afterward spent the rest of his career working in Cushing, Oklahoma as a teacher and coach.
During his career in Cushing, Wilson coached football, wrestling and boys and girls golf. He became known around the state for his successful golf teams, as his boys teams combined for 17 regional championships and four state championships, and his girls teams combined for eight regional championships and five state championships. He coached 24 all-state golfers, was named the Oklahoma Boys Golf Coach of the Year in 1991, was named the Oklahoma Girls Golf Coach of the Year in 1995 and was inducted into the Cushing High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017.
In addition to his career success, Wilson was loved by his students, sang in the choir at First Baptist Church, hunted rattlesnakes and chaperoned high school dances with his wife, Debbie.
A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, February 27 at 10 a.m. at FBC Cushing.
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