Comments on: Dick Bardon Pawn Shop

By: Jon Oliver

Jon Oliver — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:18:43 +0000

What a great story, what great memories. My sister sent me this link, which she found while surfing the ‘net. Dick Bardon was my Great Uncle. His sister, Elizabeth “Lizzy”Oliver was my great grandmother. She married my great grandfather Isaac Wesley Oliver and they had 6 children, Roy, Wilmer, Claude, Virgil, Elizabeth and the youngest, Richard (Dick), named after Uncle Dick.

Roy, Virgil, Claude and Wilmer all worked for their Uncle Dick Bardon when they were young, and when they got older, the 4 boys started their own jewelry and loan business. Eventually, Virgil and Claude went their separate ways. Roy established Roy Oliver Jewelry and Loan at 406 South Boulder and Wilmer (my grandfather) eventually set up his own business as W.L. Oliver Jewelry at 521 S. Boston.

My memories are from when our mom used to me and my sister to Bardon’s when we were growing up in Tulsa in the 50′s. One of my ‘family treasures’ is an old calendar from Dick Bardon’s which hung in the back of my grandfather’s store for 20 or 30 years.

My father, Wilmer Oliver, Jr. is 92, and living in Sacramento, CA. He calls and talks to Roy’s son Ralph Oliver, .. and Larry about the “good old days” every month or so.

Thanks for the memories !

jon-oliver@sbcglobal.net

By: Sara Anderson

Sara Anderson — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 02:54:59 +0000

I am so proud to be Larry’s granddaughter. This story was incredible. Although I don’t remember the pawn shop, (I was too young to remember) I do remember my Grandpa’s office and all of the stamps and papers that he would let my cousins and I play with. My cousins and I would pretend that we had a pawn shop just like Grandpa’s. I am blessed with the most phenomanal grandparents anyone could ever ask for. I had the pleasure of growing up out at Therapy Hill and it is absolutely breathtaking (even after the ice storm!) It is definetly a retreat for our family. It is so peaceful.

By: Justin Anderson

Justin Anderson — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 21:14:04 +0000

Great read! Just like Grandpa would have told the stories! Thanks Story Corps!

By: susan holt

susan holt — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 02:18:21 +0000

Many of my happiest childhood memories involve time spent with my grandfather and Uncle Larry at Dick Bardon’s and at the Kilgore’s house. Both places were filled with affection, compassion, and the belief that most folks will do right when given the opportunity. The store was filled with both old and new things; my favorites were the saddles upstairs. They were beautiful, and the leather smelled so good. I’m a horse lover too, and that’s probably a result of Larry and his kids who were always so nice to spend time riding with me when my branch of the family came back to Tulsa. A lesson from the store was, “Never engrave your jewelry; it lowers the pawn value.” A lesson from Therapy Hill was to slow down and listen to quiet. An especially treasured time was when Larry was putting out feed for the horses and told a friend and me, “Listen…All you can hear is the sound of birds singing and the horses eating.” It was true, but we hadn’t noticed. The soothing sounds have stayed with me across the years.

By: Neil Moore

Neil Moore — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 00:35:39 +0000

This is a great tribute to Larry. A personal friend for many years. I had the privilege to rope with him on many occasions. We also dealt in horses together. Neil M.

By: Donna M.

Donna M. — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:02:02 +0000

Five couples rode through life together and knew each other as well as, or better, than family. Three of the men in this group passed away in one year (2008); one a few years before, and Larry is the remaining member of the quintet. These guys
were the standard bearers of what a friend should be. Always there for each other; one did something a little extra and the others were there for him. Anniversaries, birthdays, events brought them together. From pre-college, through college, through marriage, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nothing deterred the
time for friends. ‘Rare’ is not a good enough word to describe what life has meant
through friendship with Larry, Patsy, Turner, Patty, Leo, Jimmie, Harold, Marylou,
and my life partner, Clem. Great story..and there’s so much more to tell…….Donna Mc…..

By: Doris Kuntz

Doris Kuntz — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:18:58 +0000

November l2, 2008
It has been my pleasure to know Larry Kilgore almost 70 years since we first met in 7th grade at Horace Mann Junior High School in Tulsa. He is one of my dearest friends and I have known Larry at church. I adore this whole family. My children grew up with the Kilgore girls. I met Patsy at Central High School. What a great family. I love you guys. I enjoyed hearing more about Dick Bardon and the pawn shop although I had never been there. Larry was always so generous to share his animals with young people and my daughter is a wonderful horsewoman now largely because of her association with Larry Kilgore.

By: Jeff Burch

Jeff Burch — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:20:56 +0000

I think Jack Burch would have said, “Larry was a good man. I was proud to know him. And, he was a pretty good rodeo cowboy, for a kid.”

Way to go Larry.

By: Sarah B.

Sarah B. — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:29:09 +0000

When I was in grade school, my Uncle Larry had a wonderful horse, Prince. When they would circle the arena after a rodeo, sometimes Larry would put me on the saddle for a “victory lap”. And those blue eyes have not changed! I remember going to Bardon’s to buy my first saddle, my first pocket knife and a new straw hat in the springtime.

Larry is one of my favorite Wise Men too.

By: Donn B.

Donn B. — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:24:49 +0000

I had the good fortune to have Larry as a neighbor on Therapy Hill, and while not having the time to visit as much as I wanted to, I loved to hear his stories. Dick Bardon Pawn Shop is just the tip of the iceberg to this man