AEC Gator For A Cause

Loretta was born south of McWillie, OK, and graduated from Helena, OK. She grew up on the farm doing chores alongside her brothers, Kenneth and Ernest Rexroat. Ernest Rexroat had ties to Alfalfa Electric as he served on the AEC Board from 1991-2004. The night of the Annual Meeting Loretta kept telling me, “I wish Ernest were here. He would have loved this.” Attending the Annual Meetings was a yearly event for Loretta. As in the past, this year she had come for the food, the entertainment, and, well, just a fun night. “I never thought about winning, just always came.” She never dreamed of winning the 2015 John Deere Gator – she didn’t even know what it was!

After hearing her name announced as the Gator winner, Loretta told me, “I have never won anything in my life. I just can’t believe I won.” Later she informed me that she would probably sell it and use the money to help her grandson who had fought through two pancreas transplants and was facing more health issues. I assured her that she could take some time to think about it, and I would contact her the next week.

Over the weekend, I could not  get Loretta and what she had shared with me off my mind. Tuesday morning I called Loretta to get some information for this article. She was still just as excited as she was Friday night. “I haven’t been this excited since we got electricity on the farm in 1947. I still remember watching AEC put up our yard light. It was so bright. We couldn’t believe we were getting electricity to our house.” After a long conversation, Loretta confirmed her desire to sell the Gator. She had no second thoughts to selling it to help her grandson, but I could tell she was curious about this “Gator.” I simply asked her if she would like to come to Cherokee for a ride in her Gator before she sold it. “I would love to!” she exclaimed.

The next morning Loretta arrived with her sister-in-law Nadine Rexroat, who had driven Loretta to Cherokee – not because Loretta was unable to drive at 85, but because she was so excited that she didn’t think it would be safe for her to drive.

Before I began interviewing Loretta, she informed me that I knew her daughter Dennette Ray. It suddenly hit me. I not only knew Dennette and her husband Randy but also knew her grandson Trevin.

I taught both Trevin and his brother Landon when I lived in Enid several years ago. These boys were two of my favorites – yes, teachers do have favorites! I remembered reading articles about Trevin’s transplants but had not made the connection. Now, I would like to share Trevin and Loretta’s story.

Trevin Ray was born with a genetic birth defect that was not discovered until he was a junior at Enid High. Like his older brother Landon, Trevin was an awesome athlete and an even better kid. He was forced to give up his athletic dreams of high school and college. Since his junior year he has had 2 pancreas transplants and 14 major surgeries. Trevin didn’t sit at home and feel sorry for himself. With the help of his family and the determination of an athlete, Trevin overcame many obstacles. In December of 2014, he graduated from Keiser University in Port St. Lucie, Florida. In January Trevin married Jenn Fisher, a heart transplant recipient. The couple met while competing for the United States in Durban South Africa at the World Transplant Games. Jenn competed with Team Philly, while Trevin competed with Team Oklahoma. Trevin and Jenn live in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, where Trevin works for a golf course and a computer company. Recently Trevin received word of more medical complications, and that’s when his biggest fan, Grandma Retta, steps in.

Soon to be 86 in June, Loretta Ball continues to help with the company Surety Title Service that she founded. Her husband Bill passed away in 1990. She is a member of the North Garland Church of Christ and helps hand out food there on Thursdays. To insure she wasn’t late for dominoes at Helena on Wednesday afternoon, I had to rush the interview and the Gator ride. Loretta has 2 daughters and 7 grandkids. Her church and her family have always been her main focus.

Since Trevin became ill, Grandma Retta has helped financially to see that he received the best of care. She has made sacrifices, such as selling her farms, to help her grandson. Her daughter, Dennette said, “I don’t know what we would have done without Mom’s help.” Because of her love and dedication to family, hesitated to allow me to tell Trevin’s story or to let AEC help her sell the Gator. “I don’t want people to feel sorry for me or Trevin.” I assured her that she was only giving others a chance to join in the fight for Trevin. With the permission of Trevin and his family, she agreed to allow us to help.

AEC is partnering with Bellamy & Co. LLC of Cherokee to sell the Gator for Loretta. Josh Bellamy has agreed to handle the auction with no commission and no buyer’s fees. The auction will open on May 1st and close at 3:00 p.m. central time on May 14th.  All terms for the auction will be available at callbellamy.com. The auction will be advertised both locally and nationwide. If you are looking for a 2015 John Deere Gator and an awesome cause, look no further – be a part of AEC’s Gator Giveaway that just keeps giving! has decided to sell her Gator and have the money available to help Trevin continue his battle.

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