2024-2025 DISTRICT 3-NORTHWEST

J D Koch Biography

JD graduated from Orlando High School in 1963. After working as a welder in Enid he eventually spent a total of 45 years working at the Ditch Witch factory in Perry, Ok. He served several years as Sunday School Superintendent at the Nazarene Church in Perry. He also served several years on the Cherokee Strip Museum board in Perry. He has served as President of the Orlando Alumni association for several years and in 2022 was named Alumni of the year. While living in Perry he was a member of the Jaycees and enjoyed the idea of serving others.

His journey in Lions began in 1976 when he moved his family from Perry to Orlando and immediately wanted to get involved in the community. He showed up at the Mulhall-Orlando Lions club meeting, not realizing that you were supposed to be invited to join. They were happy to give him an application and he became an official Lion on 10-1-1976. In 1976 Mulhall-Orlando was in District 3-A, one of 5 districts in Oklahoma. In 1979 he was elected President of the M-O club as the districts expanded from 5 to 7 with M-O being in 3-N. Shortly after joining, club member John Bode started talking to him about the Oklahoma Lions Boys Ranch. Over the next several years he spent a considerable amount of time at the ranch working to support the program. He later served a total of six years on the ranch board. During his time on the board, he lost his wife in 2006. Also, a board member at this time was a Lion from Ponca City after 5 named Mary Fultz. He served alongside her until his second term was up. 

 At the state convention in 2010 he was honored with a Melvin Jones Fellowship by members of District 3-A, which was not his own district. This was one time when he was totally speechless. In October of 2016 he and Lion Mary were married in Perry, Oklahoma. Their combined family includes 3 girls and 2 boys. Mary moved her membership to M-O and in 2017 was elected 1^st VDG of the new District 3 Northwest. They spent the next two years travelling 3NW. while she served as 1^st VDG and District Governor.

JD has been involved in District and state duties for many years and is currently serving on the State Office building committee as well as serving as 2^nd Vice District Governor for the year of 2022-2023.  

2025 NW Convention: The Oklahoma Lions Northwest Convention will be held in Perry Oklahoma on Friday March 28th and Saturday March 29, 2025, at the First Christain Church 701 Holly Street, Perry, Ok. Please click on the link above for the registration form.

Multiple District 3 Northwest Awards

District Lion of the Year Guidelines for selection of the District Lion of the Year shall be: Must be an active member in good standing. Must be nominated by his/her club or zone chair. Must have performed outstanding service beyond the club level during the current year. Nominations for District Lion of the Year must be received by the District Governor 45 days prior to the State Convention. All nominations should include a photo of the individual member nominated. Past District Lion of the Year Winners may not be selected again. A Lion who moves into the district and has received the award in another district may be eligible in District 3-SW. This recipient must be a Lion in good standing, from a club of good standing with district, state, and International.

District Lion of the Year:

2017-2018 Claire Scott (Ponca City Noon)

2018-2019 (Does Mary remember?)

2019-2020 Terry Woodruff (Ponca City Noon)

2020-2021 Debbie couldn't find any photos from this year (Covid)

2021-2022 Sheila Stone (Stillwater Noon)

2022-2023 Cathie Huddleston (Ponca City Noon)

2023-2024 Charles “Chuck” Osgood 

Leo of the Year The District Governor will select the District Leo of the Year from nominations received by Leo-sponsoring Lions Clubs in the District. Nominations for District Leo of the year must be received by the District Governor 45 days prior to the State Convention.

District 3NW PID R. Hal Long Rookie of the Year Award

This is a Distinctive award to recognize a Lion who has advanced the development and progress of Lionism in a tangible and meaningful way. This award will be given at the NW District Convention to one Lion. The purpose of the award will be to provide a means for Lions clubs to recognize one member of their club for his/her outstanding efforts in Lionism. Eligible Nominees: All active Lion members that have been a member for not more than 5 years. Nominee must be in good standing with his/her club. Nominations shall be submitted to the District Governor at least 30 days prior to the District Convention.

2017-2018 Kim Coleman (N. Enid)

2018-2019 Richard Thackery

2019-2020 Ann Marie Stanford (Ponca City Noon)

2020-2021 Debbie couldn't find any photos from this year (Covid)

2021-2022 Judy Fields (N. Enid)

2022-2023   Lu Calavan (Perkins) and Aaron Fowler (Stillwater Noon)

2023-2024 Joanna Ware (Ponca City Noon)

District 3NW PCC Carobelle Carson Women in Lions Award

This is a Distinctive award to recognize Women in Lions. This award honors Past Council Chair Carobelle Carson who was one of the first female District Governors in Oklahoma. She was a shining example to other women and encouraged Lions leadership and protocol. Each year, Oklahoma Lions honor a woman in her name who has advanced the development and progress of Women in Lionism in a tangible and meaningful way.  She should be active in her club, someone who shows leadership, kindness, and is willing to step up with needed to further the goals of Ok Lions. She should be someone who knows the importance of the role of women and is willing to guide other women to grow in their service as a Lion. This award is presented at the NW District Convention to one Lion.

2017-2018  Colleen Michael

2018-2019  Dee Carson (Garber)

2019-2020  Debbie Woodruff (Ponca City Noon)

2020-2021  Mary Koch (Mulhall-Orlando)

2021-2022  Kim Coleman (N. Enid)

2022-2023  Camilla Riley (Stillwater Noon)

2023-2024  Sheila Stone (Stillwater Noon)