Hargis Family Genealogy & History

Billy James Hargis was a prominent American Christian evangelist, particularly influential during the 1950s and 1960s through his Christian Crusade ministry. His anti-Communist and segregationist message reached audiences via over 500 radio stations and 250 TV stations. Hargis founded institutions like a radio station, monthly newspaper, and American Christian College in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Despite his controversial stances, including opposition to sex education and support for segregation, Hargis maintained a significant following. He was associated with figures like Carl McIntire and Edwin Walker and received an honorary degree from Bob Jones University in 1961.

Billy James Hargis was adopted by Jimmie Earsel Hargis, a railroad employee, and his wife, Laura Lucille Hargis. His early life was marked by hardship, including financial struggles during the Great Depression and his adoptive mother's poor health, which influenced his early religious devotion and eventual ordination in the Disciples of Christ denomination.

Vaden Burns Hargis, born on October 29, 1945, is an accomplished American attorney and the former president of Oklahoma State University (OSU). Serving from 2008 to 2021, Hargis succeeded in driving significant fundraising initiatives, notably the "Branding Success" campaign which exceeded its $1.2 billion target. An Oklahoma Hall of Fame inductee in 2009, his career spans roles in law, banking, and higher education governance, including Vice Chairman of Bank of Oklahoma and a member of the Board of Regents for OSU. Known for his political finesse and strategic vision, Hargis has held influential positions such as president of the Oklahoma County Bar Association and was a candidate for Governor of Oklahoma in 1990.

Gary Lynn Hargis, born November 2, 1956, in Minneapolis, is a former professional baseball player best known for his brief Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates. Hargis, a versatile infielder, played primarily as a shortstop and second baseman in Minor League Baseball from 1974 to 1981, boasting a .273 batting average. His lone MLB appearance came during the 1979 season, as a pinch runner in a crucial game against the Chicago Cubs, contributing to the Pirates' eventual World Series victory. Hargis's minor league success included playing for the Navegantes del Magallanes in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League during the 1977-78 offseason.

Frankie Darlene Hargis was a prominent Cherokee politician born on July 19, 1965, in Claremore, Oklahoma, and raised in Stilwell. She served as the registrar of the Cherokee Nation from 2018 to 2021 and was a member of the tribal council for District 7 from 2011 to 2018. Hargis was known for her influential role in securing significant funding for community projects, including $80,000 for a domestic violence shelter and $11 million for clinic expansion. She sponsored 333 pieces of legislation and played a pivotal role in amending Cherokee citizenship laws. Her political career was marked by dedication to the Cherokee people until her untimely death on August 15, 2021.