Otie Ann Fried, one of Oklahoma's most accomplished government relations specialists, died at her home in Oklahoma City on July 1, 2023, after a short battle with Pancreatic Cancer. She was surrounded by her adoring husband, Jim, her children, and her beloved dog, TJ, who never left her side. Her mind was sharp to the very end, and she embraced death as a natural part of the life experience.
Otie Ann was born to Otis and Frances Delaporte on January 10, 1950. She spent the majority of her childhood in Clinton, Oklahoma and graduated from Weatherford High School. Otie Ann attended the University of Oklahoma, where she was a Pi Beta Phi sorority member. She graduated with a degree in English from Southwestern University in 1972 and began teaching English, Speech, and Drama in Lawton. She left teaching when she felt called to work on the 1976 Jimmy Carter Presidential campaign. Otie Ann studied the legislative process when she went to work on the Oklahoma Senate staff in 1977. There she staffed both the Senate Appropriations and Senate Education Committees.
In 1981, she left state government to become one of the first female contract lobbyists in Oklahoma. Otie Ann was a founding partner of FKG Consulting, Oklahoma's largest lobbying firm, where she lobbied alongside her husband, Jim, and stepson, Bryan. Otie Ann was known as a tireless trailblazer in her industry. She helped pass legislation that paved the way for the arrival of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Google, and the creation of the Stephenson Cancer Center of Oklahoma. She was instrumental in the enactment of the most progressive optometry legislation in the country and helped pass bills banning puppy mills and smoking in public places. As a lobbyist for OU Health and the Oklahoma Medical Association, she helped OU become a certified Level 1 Trauma Center and helped create laws requiring seatbelts.
A lifelong resident of Oklahoma, she and her husband split time between their home in Oklahoma City and "Friedporte," their home of 26 years in Kennebunkport, Maine. In recent years, Otie Ann was instrumental in helping build the Community Labyrinth at Emmons Preserve for the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust.
Otie Ann was a paradox; the consummate professional, tough and fierce, and yet the most tender soul. She was an incredible listener and friend to many. She was a champion of women's and animal rights and an avid yoga student. She was a student of life, always growing in her spiritual journey, and, also, a teacher to many. She was charming and beautiful, inside and outside. Otie Ann delighted in her everyday life. She was an inspiration, personally and professionally, to many. Otie Ann was an esteemed lobbyist, devoted wife, adored step-mother, prized mother-in-law, treasured Nana, cherished friend, and unmatched mom to TJ.
Otie Ann is survived by her husband of 35 years, Jim Fried; son Bryan Fried and wife Tanna; daughter Julie McKone and husband Chris; and her nephew, Evan Delaporte. Otie Ann was the most precious Nana to her four grandchildren: Ella Fried, Harrison Fried, Madeline McKone, and Graycen McKone. She is preceded in death by her parents, Otis and Frances Delaporte and her brother, Chris Delaporte. Her passing has, no doubt, left a hole on this Earth and in the hearts of the many family, friends, and colleagues who loved and admired her so dearly.
A celebration of her life is being held on Wednesday, July 12 at 6:00 PM in the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive in Oklahoma City. We will be dressing with an emphasis on green, her favorite color, to truly celebrate her memory.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Otie Ann's name to the Oklahoma Humane Society, PO Box 18471, OKC, OK 73154, or to the new University of Oklahoma women's softball stadium (Love's Field) by visiting TheSoonerClub.com/softball or contacting the Sooner Club at (405) 325-8000.
Posted online on July 07, 2023
Otie Ann was born to Otis and Frances Delaporte on January 10, 1950. She spent the majority of her childhood in Clinton, Oklahoma and graduated from Weatherford High School. Otie Ann attended the University of Oklahoma, where she was a Pi Beta Phi sorority member. She graduated with a degree in English from Southwestern University in 1972 and began teaching English, Speech, and Drama in Lawton. She left teaching when she felt called to work on the 1976 Jimmy Carter Presidential campaign. Otie Ann studied the legislative process when she went to work on the Oklahoma Senate staff in 1977. There she staffed both the Senate Appropriations and Senate Education Committees.
In 1981, she left state government to become one of the first female contract lobbyists in Oklahoma. Otie Ann was a founding partner of FKG Consulting, Oklahoma's largest lobbying firm, where she lobbied alongside her husband, Jim, and stepson, Bryan. Otie Ann was known as a tireless trailblazer in her industry. She helped pass legislation that paved the way for the arrival of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Google, and the creation of the Stephenson Cancer Center of Oklahoma. She was instrumental in the enactment of the most progressive optometry legislation in the country and helped pass bills banning puppy mills and smoking in public places. As a lobbyist for OU Health and the Oklahoma Medical Association, she helped OU become a certified Level 1 Trauma Center and helped create laws requiring seatbelts.
A lifelong resident of Oklahoma, she and her husband split time between their home in Oklahoma City and "Friedporte," their home of 26 years in Kennebunkport, Maine. In recent years, Otie Ann was instrumental in helping build the Community Labyrinth at Emmons Preserve for the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust.
Otie Ann was a paradox; the consummate professional, tough and fierce, and yet the most tender soul. She was an incredible listener and friend to many. She was a champion of women's and animal rights and an avid yoga student. She was a student of life, always growing in her spiritual journey, and, also, a teacher to many. She was charming and beautiful, inside and outside. Otie Ann delighted in her everyday life. She was an inspiration, personally and professionally, to many. Otie Ann was an esteemed lobbyist, devoted wife, adored step-mother, prized mother-in-law, treasured Nana, cherished friend, and unmatched mom to TJ.
Otie Ann is survived by her husband of 35 years, Jim Fried; son Bryan Fried and wife Tanna; daughter Julie McKone and husband Chris; and her nephew, Evan Delaporte. Otie Ann was the most precious Nana to her four grandchildren: Ella Fried, Harrison Fried, Madeline McKone, and Graycen McKone. She is preceded in death by her parents, Otis and Frances Delaporte and her brother, Chris Delaporte. Her passing has, no doubt, left a hole on this Earth and in the hearts of the many family, friends, and colleagues who loved and admired her so dearly.
A celebration of her life is being held on Wednesday, July 12 at 6:00 PM in the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive in Oklahoma City. We will be dressing with an emphasis on green, her favorite color, to truly celebrate her memory.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Otie Ann's name to the Oklahoma Humane Society, PO Box 18471, OKC, OK 73154, or to the new University of Oklahoma women's softball stadium (Love's Field) by visiting TheSoonerClub.com/softball or contacting the Sooner Club at (405) 325-8000.
Posted online on July 07, 2023
Otie Ann Fried, one of Oklahoma's most accomplished government relations specialists, died at her home in Oklahoma City on July 1, 2023, after a short battle with Pancreatic Cancer. She was surrounded by her adoring husband, Jim, her children, and her beloved dog, TJ, who never left her side. Her mind was sharp to the very end, and she embraced death as a natural part of the life experience.
Otie Ann was born to Otis and Frances Delaporte on January 10, 1950. She spent the majority of her childhood in Clinton, Oklahoma and graduated from Weatherford High School. Otie Ann attended the University of Oklahoma, where she was a Pi Beta Phi sorority member. She graduated with a degree in English from Southwestern University in 1972 and began teaching English, Speech, and Drama in Lawton. She left teaching when she felt called to work on the 1976 Jimmy Carter Presidential campaign. Otie Ann studied the legislative process when she went to work on the Oklahoma Senate staff in 1977. There she staffed both the Senate Appropriations and Senate Education Committees.
In 1981, she left state government to become one of the first female contract lobbyists in Oklahoma. Otie Ann was a founding partner of FKG Consulting, Oklahoma's largest lobbying firm, where she lobbied alongside her husband, Jim, and stepson, Bryan. Otie Ann was known as a tireless trailblazer in her industry. She helped pass legislation that paved the way for the arrival of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Google, and the creation of the Stephenson Cancer Center of Oklahoma. She was instrumental in the enactment of the most progressive optometry legislation in the country and helped pass bills banning puppy mills and smoking in public places. As a lobbyist for OU Health and the Oklahoma Medical Association, she helped OU become a certified Level 1 Trauma Center and helped create laws requiring seatbelts.
A lifelong resident of Oklahoma, she and her husband split time between their home in Oklahoma City and "Friedporte," their home of 26 years in Kennebunkport, Maine. In recent years, Otie Ann was instrumental in helping build the Community Labyrinth at Emmons Preserve for the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust.
Otie Ann was a paradox; the consummate professional, tough and fierce, and yet the most tender soul. She was an incredible listener and friend to many. She was a champion of women's and animal rights and an avid yoga student. She was a student of life, always growing in her spiritual journey, and, also, a teacher to many. She was charming and beautiful, inside and outside. Otie Ann delighted in her everyday life. She was an inspiration, personally and professionally, to many. Otie Ann was an esteemed lobbyist, devoted wife, adored step-mother, prized mother-in-law, treasured Nana, cherished friend, and unmatched mom to TJ.
Otie Ann is survived by her husband of 35 years, Jim Fried; son Bryan Fried and wife Tanna; daughter Julie McKone and husband Chris; and her nephew, Evan Delaporte. Otie Ann was the most precious Nana to her four grandchildren: Ella Fried, Harrison Fried, Madeline McKone, and Graycen McKone. She is preceded in death by her parents, Otis and Frances Delaporte and her brother, Chris Delaporte. Her passing has, no doubt, left a hole on this Earth and in the hearts of the many family, friends, and colleagues who loved and admired her so dearly.
A celebration of her life is being held on Wednesday, July 12 at 6:00 PM in the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive in Oklahoma City. We will be dressing with an emphasis on green, her favorite color, to truly celebrate her memory.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Otie Ann's name to the Oklahoma Humane Society, PO Box 18471, OKC, OK 73154, or to the new University of Oklahoma women's softball stadium (Love's Field) by visiting TheSoonerClub.com/softball or contacting the Sooner Club at (405) 325-8000.
Posted online on July 07, 2023
Otie Ann was born to Otis and Frances Delaporte on January 10, 1950. She spent the majority of her childhood in Clinton, Oklahoma and graduated from Weatherford High School. Otie Ann attended the University of Oklahoma, where she was a Pi Beta Phi sorority member. She graduated with a degree in English from Southwestern University in 1972 and began teaching English, Speech, and Drama in Lawton. She left teaching when she felt called to work on the 1976 Jimmy Carter Presidential campaign. Otie Ann studied the legislative process when she went to work on the Oklahoma Senate staff in 1977. There she staffed both the Senate Appropriations and Senate Education Committees.
In 1981, she left state government to become one of the first female contract lobbyists in Oklahoma. Otie Ann was a founding partner of FKG Consulting, Oklahoma's largest lobbying firm, where she lobbied alongside her husband, Jim, and stepson, Bryan. Otie Ann was known as a tireless trailblazer in her industry. She helped pass legislation that paved the way for the arrival of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Google, and the creation of the Stephenson Cancer Center of Oklahoma. She was instrumental in the enactment of the most progressive optometry legislation in the country and helped pass bills banning puppy mills and smoking in public places. As a lobbyist for OU Health and the Oklahoma Medical Association, she helped OU become a certified Level 1 Trauma Center and helped create laws requiring seatbelts.
A lifelong resident of Oklahoma, she and her husband split time between their home in Oklahoma City and "Friedporte," their home of 26 years in Kennebunkport, Maine. In recent years, Otie Ann was instrumental in helping build the Community Labyrinth at Emmons Preserve for the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust.
Otie Ann was a paradox; the consummate professional, tough and fierce, and yet the most tender soul. She was an incredible listener and friend to many. She was a champion of women's and animal rights and an avid yoga student. She was a student of life, always growing in her spiritual journey, and, also, a teacher to many. She was charming and beautiful, inside and outside. Otie Ann delighted in her everyday life. She was an inspiration, personally and professionally, to many. Otie Ann was an esteemed lobbyist, devoted wife, adored step-mother, prized mother-in-law, treasured Nana, cherished friend, and unmatched mom to TJ.
Otie Ann is survived by her husband of 35 years, Jim Fried; son Bryan Fried and wife Tanna; daughter Julie McKone and husband Chris; and her nephew, Evan Delaporte. Otie Ann was the most precious Nana to her four grandchildren: Ella Fried, Harrison Fried, Madeline McKone, and Graycen McKone. She is preceded in death by her parents, Otis and Frances Delaporte and her brother, Chris Delaporte. Her passing has, no doubt, left a hole on this Earth and in the hearts of the many family, friends, and colleagues who loved and admired her so dearly.
A celebration of her life is being held on Wednesday, July 12 at 6:00 PM in the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive in Oklahoma City. We will be dressing with an emphasis on green, her favorite color, to truly celebrate her memory.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Otie Ann's name to the Oklahoma Humane Society, PO Box 18471, OKC, OK 73154, or to the new University of Oklahoma women's softball stadium (Love's Field) by visiting TheSoonerClub.com/softball or contacting the Sooner Club at (405) 325-8000.
Posted online on July 07, 2023
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