A lot has changed since 1985.

Ronald Reagan was president.

A gallon of gas cost an average of $1.20.

A postage stamp was 22 cents.

The World Wide Web was years away.

Back to the Future was a box office hit and MacGyver was a popular TV series.

One thing has remained the same - a familiar face in the Kingfisher County Court Clerk’s office.

Since August 1985, Lisa Markus has dedicated 39 years of service to the citizens of Kingfisher County, serving the last 12 years as court clerk.

That season will soon come to a close as Markus plans to retire at the end of the year and embark on a new season of life.

Her career began under Court Clerk Gladys Rivers, followed by Beatrice Jech and then Vonnie Dow, Markus said.

Reflectingonherdecision to run for the court clerk’s position in 2013, Markus said she had served as Dow’s first deputy throughout her terms and as Dow was planning for retirement, she encouraged her to run for the office.

“I liked the job and the work and was nervous, but she prepared me well,” Markus said.

Over the years, Markus said she’s seen a lot of change, starting with the transition from everything being handwritten or typed in the early years to complete computerization in 1998.

“We did everything by hand…wrote in the docket books, handwritten checks and typed the dockets…,” she said. “The advancements with computers has made it easier as to how we do our job.”

The digital age has also made documents more accessible to attorneys, defendants and the public, which eased some of the paperwork associated with the court clerk’s office, she added.

As court clerk, Markus said some other advancements she’s seen within the office have included implementation of a cost collection system with a dedicated cost administra- tor streamlining defendants’ payments of fines and costs.

Other software advancements have helped organize the appeal process and another upgrade has brought their system more in line with other systems used by larger counties within the state, she said.

There have been challenges with some of the changes, but overall Markus said most everyone she has worked with has made her job easier.

“We have really good judges that help me out and they stay on top of things on their end and the district attorney’s office is very easy to work with,” Markus said.

“It takes all of us…the judge, the court clerk, the district attorney to make it work. We have a really good group of people and my girls (in the court clerk’s office) are great.”

Some of the court clerk’s responsibilities include recording, filing and maintaining permanent records of the district court including civil, criminal, probate, juvenile, domestic relations and small claims as well as collecting fees, fines, court costs and various other duties.

“We try to help people as much as we can because some of them don’t know what they need or how to go about getting what they need and we’ve always prided ourselves on being customer friendly,” Markus said.

Oftentimes it may be people’s worst day when they come to the court clerk’s office and you have to take an extra step or two that you wouldn’t normally take to help somebody get what they need, Markus commented.

“I always felt like you have to be compassionate,” she said. “We still have to do our job, but you can do it without making that person feel worse than they already do.”

Reflecting on some of the more joyous times, Markus said, “Adoptions are great… we don’t always get to do a lot of happy things, so adoptions are always a good day.”

Another enjoyable aspect of the job, Markus said, was when judges performed wedding ceremonies at the courthouse.

Recalling one of those instances under Associate District Judge Susie Pritchett, Markus said she remembered it was Christmas- time when an older couple came in and wanted to get married.

“Judge Pritchett loved to do weddings, so we went around to all the offices in the courthouse and gathered up all the poinsettias to put in the courtroom… made it pretty and she did the wedding ceremony,” Markus said. “It was fun to make somebody’s day special.”

Markus and her husband Joe have been married for 44 years and have two daughters and seven grandchildren.

Once she retires, Markus said she and her husband plan to travel to all the national parks and attend their grandchildren’s activities as well as just spending time together as a family.

“I’ll miss the people, the camaraderie with the judges and attorneys and watching cases from start to finish,” she added.

Markus’ court clerk deputies are sure to miss her too, not only as a kind and helpful leader, but as a friend and mentor.

Following are some of words of admiration her current deputies provided as they prepare for her retirement:

Lisa has been instrumental in this office for many, many years. Her work ethic and dedication to her job is admirable. Lisa is more than just a boss - she is a mentor, a friend and a source of knowledge, encouragement and inspiration to everyone she has served. - Brook Kunneman Lisa is always very helpful and answers all my many questions. Lisa is a team leader; she jumps in to help all of us whenever needed. I have been impressed since the moment I started working with her. - Michele Turpin She is one of the kindest people I have ever met and she is incredibly patient and supportive with all her employees. She has served the public with excellence and we will miss her dearly, but we are also so happy for her and hope she fully enjoys her retirement with her husband and family. - Amanda Blades

Lisa Markus is quite an inspiration to me. Her patience, determination and integrity are just a few of the things that make her an incredible leader. - Jordan Salcedo You will never work for a more caring, or dedicated boss. She has shaped many employees, past and present, to be the best possible versions of themselves. She has served Kingfisher County wonderfully and with pride. It has been a pleasure to be her First Deputy and I wish her the best in her retirement. – Haley Countryman With only a few weeks left in the office to which Markus has dedicated almost four decades of her life, she said, “I’ve seen a lot in those 39 years, mostly good and I’ve met a lot of great people.

“It was a good run, with more good times than bad, for sure.”

Along with Markus, Kingfisher County will be losing two other longtime county servants at the close of the year, as County Clerk Jeannie Boevers and District 3 County Commissioner Ray Shimanek will also be retiring.

Working with all three, Kingfisher County Associate District Judge Lance Schneiter said, “I am grateful for all three of our dedicated public servants. It has been an honor to serve with them, working together for the betterment of our county.”

Working most closely with Markus since he was seated on the bench in 2019, Schneiter said, “We have worked together on a daily basis for six years and she has an unrivaled reputation as a court clerk.

“She is an even better person who I deeply respect for her diligence and loyalty to the judicial system and Kingfisher County.”

Reflecting on her three terms as court clerk, Markus expressed her appreciation to the citizens of Kingfisher County for affording her the opportunity.

“I really appreciate the people’s confidence that I would do a good job and I always tried to make sure that I did everything right and fair,” she said.

“I thank them for that opportunity.”