Morton C. Cuplin

Morton Cuplin, formerly of Bartlesville, passed peacefully in the presence of his loving family at age 84 on September 7, 2012 in Oklahoma City. Morton Cecil Cuplin was born September 20, 1927 in Holdenville, OK to Harrison and Otha (Sullivan) Cuplin. Morton married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Agee, on August 26, 1947. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education in 1951 from the University of Wichita and began his teaching career in Preston, KS. Morton served in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955. While in the Army he organized men’s choruses, TV performances, radio programs and church services. He was in the 97th Army Band and served as post bugler at Fort Sill. Following his service, Morton taught band, choir, and orchestra in Sedan (1954-1963) and Columbus, KS (1963-1966), before moving to Bartlesville, OK in 1966 to head the music department at Sooner High School from 1966-1982. He retired from his public school career as teacher at Bartlesville High School and music administrator for the Bartlesville Public Schools in 1986. He continued to give private music lessons following his retirement for as long as he was able. Throughout his career, individual and group music performances under his direction received numerous district and state honors. Morton directed the Phillip’s Men’s Club Chorus, Philips 66 Singers, Bartlesville Little Theatre musicals, and Green Country Music Camp orchestra, concert and symphonic bands. For several years Morton directed Neewollah musicals in Independence, KS. He was an interim conductor for the Bartlesville Symphony, guest conductor of the NE Oklahoma District Band, judged auditions for OMEA All-State orchestra, served on the North Central Evaluation committee and the OK State Superintendent’s committee to draft competency exams for instrumental music teachers. Morton was a member of Phi Beta Mu National Honorary Bandmaster Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia National Honorary Music Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Oklahoma Music Educator’s Association, American School Band Directors Association, Northeastern Oklahoma Band Directors Association and the Music Educators National Conference. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge in Sedan, KS and the Bartlesville Lions Club. Morton was a devout Christian who gave his time and talent as choir director of Epiphany Episcopal Church in Sedan, KS and First Methodist Church in Columbus, KS. He was choir director for First Christian Church and choir member, lay minister and parish administrator for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Bartlesville. Mort Cuplin’s greatest legacies are the family he loved and the multitudes of students he taught. He will be remembered for his wisdom and wit, spirit, passion and dedication to music appreciation and education. Morton was preceded in death by his parents and six half sisters. Morton is survived by his wife of 65 years, Patricia, and two daughters: Pamela Dowd (Timothy) of Oklahoma City and Meg Gregory (Scott) of Eden Prairie, MN; grandchildren Kelley, Megan, Tim (Brittany) and Molly Dowd, Adam and Alex Gregory, sister-in-law, Joan McClatchey of Tulsa,along with niece Jan Pepper (Doug) and family of Tulsa, OK. The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the caring staff of Crossroads Hospice, The Fountains at Canterbury and The Mansion at Waterford in Oklahoma City. Funeral services will be held at 1 P.M. Friday, September 14 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Bartlesville, OK with Fr. Lee Stephens officiating. Following a reception, Interment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Stumpff Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Morton’s name to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church for ministry outreach or to the Bartlesville Education Foundation to support music education. PDF Printable Version

Morton C. Cuplin

September 20, 1927 - September 7, 2012