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One of a Kind
Sports
October 13, 2021
One of a Kind

For more than 20 years, Donny Trammell served as a teacher and coach at several Oklahoma public schools.

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For more than 20 years, Donny Trammell served as a teacher and coach at several Oklahoma public schools.

At Okmulgee High School, Trammell walked the sidelines as the head boys basketball coach, as well as served as an assistant football and baseball coach.

Coach Trammell was loved and admired by everyone at OHS and made a huge impact on the lives of so many people during his time as a Bulldog.

On September 21, 2021, at the age of 67, the world lost a great person in Coach Trammell.

Along with his stint at Okmulgee, Trammell also spent time at Mounds, Seminole, and Chouteau-Mazie, retiring as principal at Chouteau-Mazie in 2009.

During his time at OHS, Trammell inspired many student-athletes as both a coach and a teacher.

Listed below are a compilation of stories from some of the people whose lives Coach Trammell impacted during his time at Okmulgee High School.

Tram was a great coach, but a better friend, husband, and father. He always had a smile on his face and will be missed.

Danny Morgan

Tram told a story about a ref he was riding pretty hard during a basketball game he was coaching. He said the ref warned him “Not another word or you are gone”. Tram said he was good for a little while but eventually he said something as the ref ran by. Tram said when the ref stopped and turned to look at him, he immediately turned to the stands and told a gentleman he didn’t know “Dad please be quiet! He is gonna kick me out of this game if you don’t stop yelling at him”. Tram said the ref turned around and continued on down the floor. He was one of the smartest coaches I’ve ever known and his quick wit I’m sure saved him many times. I am thankful I got to call him friend and he will be missed dearly.

Darin Johnson

Hard to pick one and some I cannot tell in this format, lol. However, this is one of my favorites. We opened our baseball season one spring at Cascia Hall. Tram was the “pitching coach”. After the first 3 innings, we had walked and/or hit like 8 batters. I walked up to Donny in between innings and got up close so Coach Morgan couldn’t hear and asked softly, “Who is the pitching coach around here?” Donny got up even closer and whispered “ME, how am I doing so far?”. I’m not sure how I kept from losing it, but did so #1 didn’t fire me on the spot for laughing when getting beat. Later that evening, I’m driving the bus home through downtown Tulsa after we lost that opener. I pull up to a stop light where there are about 3 homeless dudes on the corner panhandling. Tram looks over and smiles and says, “Hey Beener, open the door and see if any of ‘em can pitch”.

I didn’t do as good a job containing myself on that one. Neither did Coach Morgan!!

Love you Tram. Will never forget our years coaching together in the “Mug”. And those stories? They live ON!! Just like your impact on us ALL!!

Justin Been

Coach Donny Trammell was not only an amazing coach but also an amazing man as well. I actually met Coach Trammell before he started working as a coach at Okmulgee. I think he was working at Mounds and in his spare time, he would umpire baseball games for Coach Morgan. Being a catcher, when Donny was behind the plate, you could always get a first-hand conversation with the man affectionately known as Sugar T. He came to Okmulgee my senior year and coached me in both basketball and baseball. Coach Tram was always there to put an arm around your shoulder or know just the right thing to say to get a laugh and calm you down. After my playing career, Coach Tram was always just a phone call away when needed as a mentor or just a friend. He was truly an awesome family man and father, and I can only imagine the void his passing has left. My condolences go out to both Kelly and Tyler and the entire Trammell family. We lost a great coach, but his legacy at Okmulgee will never be forgotten.

David Dunlap

I grew up with one brother all my life. When Donny Trammell came in my life, he became part of my family and a brother I loved more than anything. His loyalty is second to none. I love you.

Mike Snyder

Oh, where to begin! Donny was so easy to know and love! I was the girls coach and he of course was the boys coach, but he never treated the girls as a non-important group, he was always there for us and so helpful to me! We not only worked together but we socialize with him and Kelly and they both loved to have fun and Donny’s humor was priceless! He later became principal at Okmulgee High and so easy to go to with issues and you felt like he cared about you and I believe that he did! Mike and I loved Donny and Kelly and pray for peace and comfort for the family!

Beth Flud

During your life, certain people can cause an immediate reaction in your thoughts, even the very mention of their name can bring about emotions. I have been blessed with having a few people in my life who bring about this feeling - and one of those is Donny Trammell. The smile I get when I think back to the great times we all had together, the stories he could tell, the zaniness he could bring just makes me smile. He was very special to so many and he will be missed. Thank you to his family for sharing him with us. Thoughts, prayers, and much love go out to his family and friends. Love you, Tram!

Gene Walters

He was a well-respected high school coach in Oklahoma. His teams were always well prepared to play. He always demanded that his teams play well and hardnosed on defense. His team respected the other team and treated them fairly. He was a teacher of life skills for his team. He was always ready to help young coaches learn needed skills. I would be happy for him to coach my children.

Dan Sullivant

My junior year at OHS I became a mom. Everyday I walked into class and could expect a “Good Morning Ma’am” with a huge smile! He never could remember my real name, so he made his own up! So, for 2 years, my name was “Reagan Louise” until I graduated and he figured out what my actual name was! He gave me encouragement every day to finish! Because of him, I’m a high school graduate.

Rachel (Gartrell) Grogan

Rest in love Coach Trammell…

He really helped me get back into high school when I was going through some sh*t. He would tell me “It’s no time for any of your bullsh*t Candi. I believe in you you can do it”. He handed me my diploma and a hug when I graduated. You’re going to be missed very much. I feel like I owe you to do better and the best I can because you believed in me and not too many did.

Candice “Candi” Selfridge-Smith

I spent many hours in the gym with my dad and Coach Trammell when I was 3-5. He had a giant jar of Vitamin C tablets on his desk. He always told us they were candy. I ate several every time I went to their office. I was the healthiest 4-year-old in my class! Coach Trammell always had the biggest smile and the best laugh. He’ll always be in my memories as a Seminole Chieftain.

Sandy Turner Teel

I played tennis for his wife Coach (Kelly) Trammell. The following year, I was office aide for Coach (Donny) Trammell. I already felt like I was part of their family, as we all knew Tyler. Between tennis & school, they all treated us kids as family. Donny taught me that you can be in power, in control, and in charge, without being aggressive. He taught me that you can be a leader without being cold hearted. He also showed me how contagious a smile can be, especially when he flashed his infectious mug!! Donny made me feel heard, respected, and that I was a person, not just another kid he was a principal for. He taught me that my thoughts and ideas were not just a dream. When I was terrified to send my college applications, he was my biggest cheerleader! He even helped me with the typewriter!! I will never forget the time I had with the Trammell family. I pray for comfort and peace in the coming days. Let the Lord be your pillow and know that he is watching over you all!

Halie McKeeI had the honor of knowing Coach Tram while he wore multiple hats. From being friends with Tyler, student aid for principal’s office, and playing basketball. Coach Tram always had a smile on his face and some witty advice or joke for me! You will truly be missed!

Maureen Motte

During our time together at OHS, you provided me with care, tough love, and character-building moments. There were times where you seen the best in me when I didn’t notice it myself. The firm conversations filled with jokes to keep me grounded put life in perspective during our time together. You preached in practice “Practice fast, Play fast” and that is something that has stuck with me! I appreciate your family for sharing you with all of us at OHS.

Davion Hemphill

Coach Trammell was a life saver. He spoke motivation into us everyday. He treated us like family, listened to our stories, jokes around with us all. Most definitely, one of the best humans I’ve ever met! Fly high Coach Trammell!

Bobbie Chronister

If it wasn’t for Coach Tram, I wouldn’t have graduated. He made sure I went to class. He looked out for me more than any other coach I ever had. He made me humble myself. He never let me give up or give in. For that and all the great memories that we had, I just want to say Thank You. I really appreciate you and Mrs. - Coach Tram for all you did for me. WE STILL THE BEST. Rest in paradise Coach. Much love.

Rickey Smith

It’s a funny one. One day during a hard basketball practice for the guys, I was getting the scorers table ready for the next day’s games. Coach Tram was making the guys run suicides after one of the freshmen messed up/wasn’t paying attention during practice while running a practice play. While they’re running, he’s starts going on about “How there are 2 things in life he hates. One is Dumb people and two are freshmen. And yet, here we are with Dumb Freshmen!!” You had to know Coach Tram and all his sideline ad libs he had, because I was on the sidelines cracking up. Him and his wife Kelly cared for all his players like they were their own. Coach will be missed by the many athletes and students whose lives he impacts still to this day.

Ashley Aguilera

Coach Tram was the assistant coach that everyone loved at the baseball field. He came to all of us with care and fun. Tram kept everything light, yet, at the same time, if you were slacking, he was quick to calm you out. Many times, as a pitcher, Coach Tram would hang out as we warmed up getting ready to pitch before games. We spent alot of time together joking about how we would be unhittable. He made me, as a player, feel like a million bucks. Better yet, as a young man, he supported me and provided me yet another amazing male role model in my life from the Okmulgee community that showed me what it means to support and care.

Matt Hancock

One day before practice, two of our starting lineup players had a disagreement that quickly came to blows. After the two were pried apart and their respective stories were heard by Coach, he pulled the remaining team leaders into a private meeting. “You got two options boys, you can kick them both off the team or I can discipline them”. I suspect Tram already knew what our answers might be as we unanimously voted for the latter.

His punishment selection was not overly harsh, but fitting, and done in true Trammell fashion. Both boys, a bit the worse for wear after the dust up, were to jog around the top isle of Brock Gym and give each other high fives each time they passed. “You boys are going to be best friends by the time practice is over!”, Coach Tram yelled out from the gym floor as the rest of us conducted practice as regular. I don’t think the two ever became best friends but they never fought again. My favorite part of this story, one of the disciplined players was his son, Tyler. Coach Trammell was a Bulldog for over 20 years and lives in so many of my most impressionable memories. I’ll carry them with me always.

Love You, Coach.

John Neal Jr.

Coach Donny Trammell was an Okmulgee Legend. I will never forget being in the 8th grade at basketball practice when he walked in the gym. He came in and introduced himself to us and showed us the legendary T-game. I will nev er forget entering high school as a freshman and I was hearing people talk about I would be playing varsity but I didn’t believe it one bit. I remember it was after football season and I was trying to go to basketball with the 9th grade and I heard a deep voice say “Hill!” I turned around and it was Tramm and he told me to get to the gym. Coach Trammell instilled so much confidence in me plus he taught us all how to be men. When I got the news about my favorite coach, it hurt me to the core. I will never forget our talks or any of the workouts after practice. Mrs. Kelly Trammell, thank you for allowing Coach Tramm to be a father to us all! Tyler Trammell, you will forever be my lil bro man and I love you! Oh yeah, he has the best record in Okmulgee High School history 25-0 even though we came short. We had a good ride though Coach you will forever be missed.

Michael Hill

He was the best dressing coach around. He will be missed.

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