City of OKC
Home MenuJack S. Wilkes
Dates in office: April 9, 1963 – May 3, 1964
Born: August 5, 1917
Died: November 8, 1969
Dr. Jack Stauffer Wilkes was born in Honey Grove, Texas and later settled in Oklahoma City. Wilkes was an ordained Methodist minister and pastored at Crown Heights United Methodist Church before serving as President of Oklahoma City University from 1957 to 1963. During his service as Mayor, he was the Pastor for Wesley United Methodist Church.
Wilkes ran for Mayor with the backing of the Association for Responsible Government (ARG), an organization promoting efficiency and integrity in City government. The election was dominated by concerns about metropolitan planning, Urban Renewal and the retention of the Mayor-Council-Manager form of government. During this era of civil upheaval, Dr. Wilkes participated in anti-segregation marches in Oklahoma City.
During Mayor Wilkes’ time in office, City government became more centralized and citizens passed a sales tax to strengthen the City’s finances. The City’s Airport Trust received a large grant for improvements at Will Rogers World Airport and over $317 million was committed toward City growth. The City also celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Land Run in 1964.
Mayor Wilkes resigned in May 1964 to become President of Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana. In May 1969, he accepted a Vice President position with Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He died during a football match in College Station, Texas.