Richard Simunek, Hennessey preservationist and town board member, announced a $1.35 million matching gift to the town for the library, history center and “old school gym” located on Hennessey’s Main Street.

The gift is on behalf of Simunek and his late wife, Zorita Zevely Simunek, who died in 2012.

Both graduated from Hennessey High School in 1964 and Simunek returned to his hometown the year after his wife’s death.

The fund will be managed by the Communities Foundation of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City.

Simunek signed an agreement with them after comments by Teresa Crook, the foundations executive director, and by him Monday morning at the library’s history center.

Money Comes Later

“The bad news is that the gift will not be made until my passing,” Simunek said. “There is more bad news: Doc Ferrell has informed me I am in great health and will continue to annoy Hennessey residents for many, many years to come.”

He presented the plan to about 20 invited guests who represented library and town staff, Friends of the Library, Hennessey United Association and press, along with fellow town board members Clif Vogt (vice mayor) and Keith Meek.

Simunek said he was making the announcement now and making it public so his intentions are known. He pointed out that Raymond Kokojan’s gifts to the school foundation are being contested when Kokojan wanted to give his four farms and oil and gas lease money to help Hennessey school children.

Other Stipulations

Simunek also put the town board on notice that if the town didn’t follow his plan for the money then he’d withdraw it.

His caveat to the gift: “If the Town Council does not maintain and preserve the library and history center building in the old high school building, the attached auditorium and old gym, then the $1.35 million of matching funds are to be transferred into the Zorita Zevely Simunek and Anita Hill Zevely (Zorita’s mother) endowed Scholarship Fund at the Oklahoma State University Foundation,” he said.

“I was greatly saddened to learn well over a year ago that there were plans being discussed by the town council to tear down this magnificent facility,” he said about the library.

“This magnificent (almost century-old) building would be replaced by a much smaller newer building,” said Simunek, who was elected last year and went on the town board in May.

He said that board “destroyed half of the north block of Main Street, nearly destroyed the historic Horse Stable and pioneer Dr. Violet Sturgeon’s medical building, and now the library is evidently on the list for destruction. It just does not seem to stop, this destruction of Hennessey’s history, legacy and Main Street.”

Simunek also said that the “Town Council may modify and/or remodel the auditorium for any future proposed public or private use, provided it is approved both by the Friends of the Hennessey Library and approved by a community wide vote.

“No new buildings are to be built on the old school grounds, or buildings moved to the old school grounds, with the exception of building a new museum,” Simunek also specified.

Other “conditions” would require community development education for town board members; monthly agenda items to discuss preservation, Main Street and community enhancement and grants, and for all gifts to be posted on the town and library websites.

Dollar for Dollar Match

Simunek said every dollar donated by others in support of the library and gym will be matched dollar for dollar from the Zorita Zevely Fund. When 100% of those funds are matched then all income from her fund will go to the town.

The Communities Foundation will contribute an additional 5% of any cash gift, or when an irrevocable pledge converts to a cash donation, he said.

“I’m on a hunt for money in support of our town projects and needs,” Simunek said.

Use of Funds

In a 12-page handout, Simunek lists specific use of matching funds at the library: fire proofing, installation of sprinkler system and remodeling of second floor.

Number one on his list for matching funds and direct gifts are the public library, Sam and Burla Snyder History Center, and the old gym, then these items, listed as they are prioritized in Simunek’s document:

•Hennessey School Teacher Enhancement.

•The proposed Hennessey Pavilion (on property south of the former Lee Lumber property owned by Simunek and to be given to the town).

•Christian Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

•Old Sinclair Gas Station/ John C. Karcher Museum.

•Horse Stable Entrepreneur Center.

•Champlin Gas Station Bed and Breakfast.

•Hennessey Grant Writing Position.

•Town Board Required Training.

Simunek also owns and has restored the Champlin Gas Station and turned it and the old hospital into apartments at Second and Main streets, and has also restored the Old Sinclair Station at Third and Main streets and will give that property to the town if his conditions are followed.

Other Named Gifts

Also, 1% of income from the “Zorita Zevely Sokol Fund” each year will be given to the Helen Cline Scholarship Fund, and 5% each to the Mary Haney and Opaleta Blalock Fund. All three to be administered by the Friends of the Library. The late Helen Cline started the FOL. Haney retired a few years ago as library director after 25 years, and Blalock is a long-time library volunteer and FOL member.

About Zorita

The money is from a trust Simunek and his wife created in 2008.

“I have shifted the specified 2008 funds around and added to them because of town projects and goals not known to Zorita and me in 2008. Zorita would undoubtedly approve of the changes.”

“Zorita was what is called in the business world a ‘Rain Maker,’” he said. “Without her superb skills and hard work, this gift would not have been possible.”

The Simuneks were married in 1966, and the couple moved to Washington, D.C. in 1971 where she worked as a graphic artist.

She also accompanied her husband on two foreign assignments with the U.S. Agency for International Development in Ethiopia and Liberia.

Both she and Richard became real estate agents in D.C. where she renovated and restored old and abandoned Victorian townhouses.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in art education from Oklahoma State, 1968; a 1971 MFA in graphic art from Washington State University where she also taught freehand drawing.

After 38 years in Washington, the couple moved to Miami Beach, Fla., where she completed the Cordon Bleu Chef School in Miami, then started her own catering business. She died March 30, 2012 at her home in Miami 38 days after she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.