GuthrieAmerica Story: Courtney McLemore

Tell the world your name. 

Courtney McLemore

Where were you born specifically?

I was born in Houston, Texas and we lived there for a couple years and then moved to Louisiana for about a year before my family finally landed in Owasso, Oklahoma.

When did you move to Guthrie?

We moved to Guthrie 7 years ago. My husband was working in Oklahoma City and I took a position at Oklahoma State University and we were looking to find a great community to settle down in and raise our family and BOOM- Guthrie it was.... Funny story though, but a big motivator for us was Guthrie Football. My husband played with Coach Beeby and they were like family and with having no family close by- we knew moving to Guthrie was a good choice. I ended up taking a position at the Logan County Health Department... which was even better as I have been able to be part of the goodness that Guthrie has to offer.

What's your favorite Guthrie-related memory?

Mumford and Sons. It was the time that it really clicked for me that this community was special. I was part of the hometown volunteers that helped gather other volunteers and put them in the right places to make the wheels spin that day. 

I remember standing by the stage when Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros played their song Home and Lance Benton said to the crowd "Home is Guthrie and we want to welcome you to our Home" (gosh I hope I quoted you right... it's been a couple years.) That was the moment the world saw what I saw. Guthrie has this close knit, family atmosphere that I always said I wanted to be part of.

What's the best part about living in Guthrie?

Gosh, I may have some tears in my eyes as I write this. But hands down- it is the people. Everyone is like family. I believe in this quote and try and live by it at home and at work " If we take time to care about people, we can transform whole communities. You never know how you can change someone's life by showing them that you care." I would not be successful in my position without this community. Another part is the quirkiness. We are not your average community and we know it, but we aren't afraid to take chances to become better.

What does Guthrie have that other towns don't?

A Courtney McLemore that gets everyone thinking about their health, duh! Okay, just kidding. Guthrie has doers. We may not have a lot of money..... but we make it up for in leadership and manpower. Which means as citizens we have to work harder... but in the end it will mean that much more to us.

Are you a GHS alumni?

I am not. I am a PROUD Owasso Ram.....BUT my children will be PROUD Guthrie Bluejays...so I can count that right?

If you lived here at some point and moved back why?

Live here now.. with no plans to leave.

Where do you currently work and how long?

Currently, I work at the Logan County Health Department and I have been here for 6.5 years.

What do you love most about your job?

I am the Wellness Coordinator... which in a nutshell means I believe that the health of a community plays a HUGE part in the happiness of a community and I try my hardest to creatively think of ways we can put health in where we work, go to school, play and pray.... it's hectic. I am 80% out of the office, but you don't want me in the office because my mind goes 100 MPH and I am always coming up with ideas or crazy thoughts on how we change our environment of health. In my short time here, Logan County has went from the 15th healthiest to the 3rd healthiest.. I can't take all the create because Mercy Hospital coming into our community played a HUGE part as well. Just like today, I won't say her name (Paige), but she posted something on social media about a neighbor needing tires to neighborhood playground and my mind went to "PLAY STREETS!.. WE NEED PLAY STREETS" (I encourage everyone to check out what they are!) That's what I love. I literally have the best job.

Do you have family here? If so explain...: 

I have my handsome husband Chris and 2 kiddos: Holland (8) and Hogan (2)... That's my blood family... We have about 1000+ community members that I have personally adopted as family.

How did you first hear or learn about the GuthrieAmerica brand?

Cody Mosley introduced Heady to me when Heady and his family first moved back to Guthrie and I remember leaving going "Cody- he is going to keep us on our toes and we gotta step up our game and make his ideas come to life." He told me about this GuthrieAmerica and I think I said YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

BUT we ALL know the real brains behind the brand (BERNIE!)

Why do you wear GuthrieAmerica tee?

To rub it in to other communities how awesome we are. Kidding. I wear it because:
#1 it is comfortable
# 2 It goes with everything
and more importantly
#3 It shows how PROUD I am to be part of this community and its efforts to being us all together (which is what the GuthrieAmerica tee did)

It's not about griping at what we don't have, it is about embracing what we do have.. which is A LOT! Keep choosing Guthrie and we will continue to grow together.

What are your favorite things to do in Guthrie?

My list could go on and on... but here I go: Friday nights at the Rock, snooping on all the cool TV shows being filmed here, 89er days, our buildings (whew they are amazing), walking around downtown, visiting all the outdoor amenities Guthrie has to offer for families to be active, and Guthrie Summer Streets!

How would you define what it means when you hear or say COMMUNITY WINS?

I think in my head. Yes it does! Communities need those that are willing to shout it from the top of the Temple and be prideful in what we have to offer because it takes those individuals to really make a community win. 

I encourage every single person who is reading this to think in their head "How are you making your COMMUNITY WIN?"

Anything significant about your life you would like to share?

I don't share this much, but here I go. When I was 16, I was in a bad car accident on a major highway in between Owasso and Tulsa. I walked away with a scratch on my right wrist. I remember sitting there waiting for the ambulance to come saying "If I make it, I make this promise that I will try my hardest to be the best I can be, give my everything, change the world, and be a better person day in and out." Ever since then, I made sure in my family and professional life that I am living up to those standards. If I am down, I look on my wrist and I am reminded that I am here for a reason.

Lastly, we love SHOUT OUTS! Who do you want to give a shout out to?

Dr. Mike Simpson- who doesn't know this... but you started right after I did. I knew you had an uphill battle, but everything you have done and the steps you have taken to bring our schools back to life amazes me. It has not been an easy stretch, but I learned how to be a better professional from just watching you. I am thankful for your friendship and guidance. So thank you. 

Cody Mosley - who used to be our Economic Development Director and realistically my right hand person He really taught me how to see the bigger picture and how I could utilize that in my profession.

And to the person that puts up with me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for the last 9 years, my husband. He deserves a HIGH FIVE if you see him.

Wait, one more. What does it mean to CHOOSE GUTHRIE?

It's not about griping at what we don't have, it is about embracing what we do have.. which is A LOT! Keep choosing Guthrie and we will continue to grow together.