With a glimmer in his eye, Glenn Beebe lifts the toy vintage fighter plane in his hand and explains how the wings fold up, imitating its life-size counterpart.

It’s only one of thousands of antique die-cast toys he has amassed over 50-plus years.

Well known in the community for his countless hours of service to others, Beebe somehow still found time to pursue his second passion of collecting an array of toy vehicles from yesteryear.

Previously recognized as Kingfisher Citizen of the Year as well as Volunteer of the Year, Beebe has donated many volunteer hours to Kingfisher in Lights (the precursor to Kingfisher Winter Nights), Meals on Wheels, the Upper Room and just about anyone who needed a helping hand.

Early in his career, Beebe worked for National Packaging in Oklahoma City and then returned to Kingfisher where he was employed as custodian of the Emmanuel Lutheran Church.

In his free time, Beebe said he, and often his sister Karen Curtis, would hit the estate sales searching for treasure on the weekend.

“I don’t remember how I got started,” Beebe said. “I just loved toys and I’ve been collecting for a long time.”

Finding “a little here and a little there,” Beebe’s collection consists of thousands of old toys, from ride-on pedal tractors, construction and farm toys to various trucks and vehicles with company advertising.

A collector’s dream, many of the toys made by toy manufacturers such as Smith/ Miller, Wyandotte, Buddy-L, Structo, Marx, Nylint, Hubley, Ertl, Tonka and others are in pristine condition and still in their original packaging.

Beebe was born and raised in Kingfisher. His parents, Ralph and Laura Beebe, owned and operated Sinclair gas stations in town and his grandfather also operated a gas station north of Kingfisher (at Kloeppel’s corner).

That history played a big part in Beebe’s interest in collecting. Although Beebe has a love for all types of die cast toys, big and small, antique and modern, used or still in the box, he said he has a special fondness for various gas station memorabilia.

“Many of my favorite pieces have the Sinclair, Texaco, Kerr McGee or other oil and gas company logos,” he said. “It has a sentimental value.”

The toys remind him of his childhood, Beebe said, adding that he’s loved toys most of his life and believes that all children should have the opportunity to have and enjoy a few toys in their lifetime.

Examining the details on some of his collection, Beebe is quick to point out some of the elements – wheels, decals, headlights and other features – which indicate a toy is from a bygone era.

While hunting for treasure, Beebe said, it’s not the value he cares about, but the enjoyment of finding something he likes.

Some items in his collection were given to him as gifts from good friends on the lookout for memorabilia, Beebe said.

Although Beebe’s passion for collecting has mainly focused on toy vehicles, he also has collected hundreds of yardsticks with company advertising.

Recently limited by his health, Beebe no longer participates in the “thrill of the hunt” like he used to and has decided, along with his family, to auction off some of his collection.

With thousands upon thousands of toys, it will take some time and five auctions (one a month) are planned to liquidate much of his vast collection.

Offered to the highest bidder, the first auction included everything from a Murray 50s flame painted pedal car, Ertl Campbell Soup semi and trailer, Nylint Tom Thumb Pharmacy truck and trailer to Tonka steam shovel and much more.

At the upcoming auction to be held in late April, collectors will have the opportunity to bid on a large variety of Hot Wheels and Matchbox vehicles as well as a menagerie of other toys.

As fellow collectors may find treasures they’ve only dreamed about, Beebe said, “I hope they will take care of them and enjoy them as much as I have.”

Although parting with a good portion of his collection, Beebe’s holding on to a fair share, while still keeping an eye out for more treasures if given the opportunity.

“To me it was the fun of finding it,” Beebe said.