Mickey Joe Thorpe

Mickey Joe Thorpe, 80, passed away on Thursday, August 29, 2024, in Prague, Oklahoma.

Mickey Joe was born on January 11, 1944, in Guthrie, Oklahoma. He graduated from Coyle High School. Mickey married Kathryn “Kathy” Janet Howard on June 15, 1963, in Carthage, Mo. Kathy preceded Mickey in death in 2017.

Mickey started his coaching career at his alma mater, Coyle, in 1969. He coached at Coyle for 1 year before moving on to coach at Calumet for 2 years, Dover for 2 years, Hominy for 12 years, Velma-Alma for 4 years, and finally Meeker for 13 years before retiring in 2003. Mickey’s accomplishments include Assistant Coach for the state champion boys’ basketball team in Hominy (1982), coached the girl’s all-state team (1993), was selected Regional Coach of the Year (1994-95), Little All City 6 on 6 Coach of the Year (1994-95), Finished Runner-up with Meeker in last six on six 3A State basketball tournament (1995), was honored with the Charles K. Heatly Award (1999), coached in the Hall of Fame Classic (1999), and was named the Oklahoma Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year (2002-03). Mickey Joe was also inducted into the Girls Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, served on the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Coaches Association, and the OGBCA All-State Selection Committee. He worked at the state tournaments for OSSAA for many years. Throughout his career he coached boys’ basketball, girls basketball, track, football, baseball, and softball.

Mickey was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife of 54 years, Kathy Thorpe.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Al and Shannon Thorpe of Prague, Ok; daughter and son-in-law, Kristy and JR Cunningham of Chandler, Ok; grandsons, Tanner and Micah Thorpe of Prague, Brady Thorpe of Prague, and Drew and Makenzi Cunningham of Stillwater, Ok; granddaughter, Kaylee Burchardt of Chandler; great-granddaughters, Hartley and Hollis Burchardt of Chandler; sister, Linda and Larry Brinster of Long Lake, MN; brothers, Paul and Marie Thorpe of Merrill, IA, Mark and Chris Thorpe of Ankey, IA, and Jerry and Candy Thorpe of Elk Point, SD; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Brown of Manassa, VA, Nancy Roop, and Susan Martens; as well as many other family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations made to the Oklahoma Coach’s Association Assistance Plan: 8080 Crystal Park Dr., Oklahoma City, Ok 73139.