The Oklahoma agricultural education community is mourning the loss of one of its most dedicated and influential champions, Jackie “Jack” Dean Staats. Born December 15, 1951, Staats dedicated nearly five decades of his life to shaping the future of agricultural youth, serving as a high school instructor, the State FFA Advisor, and a university educator.
Growing up on a farm and ranch between Laverne and Buffalo, Oklahoma, Staats was immersed in agriculture and FFA from an early age, serving as president of his local chapter. After studying at Panhandle State University and eventually graduating from Oklahoma State University with a degree in agricultural education, he began a classroom legacy that spanned 34 years.
He touched countless lives as an ag teacher at Freedom High School from 1973 to 1976, at Buffalo High School from 1976 to 1977, and, most notably, during his thirty-year tenure at Alva High School from 1977 to 2007.
In 2008, Staats transitioned to state leadership, taking on the role of program manager for agricultural education and Oklahoma State FFA Advisor at the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education. For 12 years, he guided thousands of Oklahoma blue-jacketed members, instilling the values of leadership, personal growth, and career success until his retirement from the state office in the spring of 2020.
His commitment to training the next generation of agricultural leaders didn’t end with retirement. In the fall of 2020, Staats joined the faculty at Northwestern Oklahoma State University as the William Donald Campbell Family Chair in Agriculture, drawing on his extensive experience to recruit, mentor, and prepare the next generation of classroom-ready ag educators.
Throughout his storied career, Staats earned the highest respect of his peers nationwide, culminating in his induction into the Oklahoma CareerTech Hall of Fame and receiving the prestigious National FFA VIP Citation in 2021.
Jack Staats leaves behind a monumental legacy that will continue to live on through the hundreds of agricultural educators he trained, the thousands of students he inspired, and the enduring strength of the Oklahoma FFA Association.
Six years ago, as Staats retired from his time with Career tech, Ron Hays sat down with him and they looked back at his life in agriculture and in ag education- click here to listen to that visit between Hays and Staats.
From The Oklahoma Youth Expo: “Jack was many things to many people, and for ‘The Greatest Show,’ that is no exception. Jack was a change-maker, leader, jokester, and encourager. He began his involvement with the Oklahoma Youth Expo in 2007, the same year he was deemed the State Program Administrator for Agricultural Education and State FFA Advisor of Oklahoma at the Oklahoma Department of CareerTech. He served on the OYE Board of Directors for his 13 years of service, and for nearly two decades, Jack worked diligently and in numerous capacities to make OYE a better place for the agricultural youth of Oklahoma to gather and compete.
Perhaps his most notable involvement with the Oklahoma Youth Expo is his service as the OYE Goat Superintendent. Because of Jack’s gift for establishing relationships and his natural leadership, in addition to his impressive 34-year teaching career in agricultural education, Jack was a catalyst in strengthening the Ag-Ed community’s belief in the Oklahoma Youth Expo.
Jack’s impact has also spanned far beyond the realm of OYE. He was a helping hand in every role he took on. There to make the tough decisions, gift laughter, and assist in whatever way was needed, Jack Staats was the man you wanted on your team and in your corner. He made the Oklahoma Youth Expo a better show and our staff better people.
Thank you, Jack, for making our show and our state better with your servant heart. May we always remember your wise words today and every day: “There’s never a wrong time to do the right thing.” Rest in peace, Mr. Staats”
The Oklahoma FFA Association: “Today, the Oklahoma FFA family mourns the passing of former State Supervisor of Agricultural Education and Oklahoma State FFA Advisor, Jack Staats.
Mr. Staats dedicated his life to agricultural education, FFA, and the development of young people across Oklahoma. His leadership, vision, and servant heart left a lasting impact on countless students, teachers, and communities.
We are grateful for his many years of service and the legacy he leaves behind. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Staats family and all who were blessed to know him.”
Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, today issued the following statement on the passing of former Oklahoma FFA Advisor and longtime agricultural educator Jackie “Jack” Staats:
“Jack Staats was one of those people who could walk into any room and instantly make it better. He dedicated his life to investing in young people, strengthening agricultural education and mentoring generations of Oklahomans who went on to serve their communities and our state.
I first got to know Jack as a State FFA officer and later had the privilege of working with him as a student employee at Oklahoma State University (OSU) in the agricultural education division at CareerTech. He was a mentor and friend to me from a young age, and like so many others, I benefited from his wisdom, encouragement and contagious positivity.
Jack never stopped advocating for students, teachers and retired educators. Every year I’ve served in the Legislature, he has called me to talk about the importance of fixing retire-rehire policies so experienced educators could continue serving Oklahoma students. I truly do not believe this year’s retire-rehire legislation, House Bill 2288, would have happened without Jack Staats’ persistence and passion for the issue.
From the high school classroom to serving as Oklahoma FFA state adviser, Jack’s impact on agricultural education in our state is immeasurable. He helped shape not only programs and policy, but the lives and character of countless young Oklahomans.
Oklahoma lost a tremendous educator, mentor and advocate. My prayers are with his family, friends, former students and the entire agricultural education community during this difficult time.”
Rep. Carl Newton, R- Cherokee, joins Hilbert in mourning and praying for the Staats’ family.
“Mr. Staats was a wonderful influencer in so many youth and agriculture organizations across our state,” said Newton. “His total impact made on Oklahoma agriculture is beyond measure. I will truly miss his warm smiles and firm handshakes.”
Staats served more than four decades in agricultural education, including 30 years at Alva High School and 13 years as Oklahoma FFA state adviser and state supervisor for agricultural education. He was inducted into the Oklahoma CareerTech Hall of Fame in recognition of his lifelong contributions to education and leadership.
