This week’s “Where Are They Now?” features our first couple: Kevin and Karen Choate. Kevin grew up in Lacey until he was 7 years old, at which point he moved with his siblings and parents, Max and Wanda (Thompson) Choate, to Norco, California, where they lived for 10 years. In 1974, Max and Wanda returned the family to Hennessey to be closer to relatives.
Karen was raised in Hennessey by her parents, Virgil and Carol (Murray) Johnson. Kevin has four siblings: Kenny, Kyla Norman, Kelly, and Kyle. Karen has one sister, Linda (Johnson) Choate. When Kevin returned to Hennessey from California in 1974, he met Karen while they were both juniors at Hennessey High School. They were study hall friends who quickly became high school sweethearts. Kevin and Karen graduated from Hennessey High School in 1975, and that same year, they got married. They will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on April 18, 2025.
After their wedding, Kevin worked for his uncle, Mike Schwartz, at Hennessey Ready Mix. Later, he worked for Petro Lewis and then Kirkpatrick Oil Company. During this time, Kevin entered full-time ministry and moved their family to Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1986. Both Kevin and Karen served as youth pastors at First Baptist Church in Albuquerque.
In August 1988, Emmanuel Baptist Church in Enid, Oklahoma, called Kevin to be one of the associate pastors. They accepted the call and moved to Enid, where they have lived for the past 36½ years. Kevin retired from Emmanuel in 2020 and began attending World Harvest Church in Enid in 2021. Both Kevin and Karen are actively involved in various ministries there, with Kevin serving as one of the executive (associate) pastors.
Kevin and Karen have one daughter, Sharon, who lives in Colorado with her husband, Dave Kline. They also have one granddaughter, Sedona, who is currently attending college in Colorado. Sedona is deeply adored by her grandparents.
In addition to church events and ministries, Kevin and Karen enjoy their individual hobbies. Kevin likes spending time at The Choate Ranch, shooting, and reading. Karen enjoys antiquing, going to estate sales, and crafting. She operates a booth at The Broadway Antiques Mall in Enid, where she has made many friends over the years. Both Kevin and Karen love visiting their daughter and her family in Colorado and cherish spending time with family and friends. AAH, Shelley Muzny
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