Alvin Naifeh (1933-2009)

[MemphisFFAdmin]

Recently, we lost a good friend of the Memphis Film Festival - Alvin Naifeh - who passed away at the age of 76.

Alvin was born to Dora Kouri Naifeh and Noimmer Naifeh April 26, 1933 in Sapulpa, Okla. Following his graduation from Classen High School in 1953, Alvin attended classes at Oklahoma City University. He volunteered for & appeared in Lyric Theatre productions. He also worked in the campus post office. Alvin was an icon at OCU, and many people knew who he was and admired him for his accomplishments.

Alvin's Cafe is a special place on OCU's campus and is named in his honor. He loved the Lord, movies, and plays. Thank you to Dr. & Mrs. Walker & Wilt Conine, who were special friends to Alvin. He is survived by Eleanor & Jean Vandruff, their children & grandchildren; Carrie Lee Kouri & her children & grandchildren. David & Susie Opp were his loving caregivers in recent years. Alvin was preceded in death by his grandparents, Addy & Mary Kouri; his parents; aunts & uncles.

Alvin visited Memphis almost every year since the festival tradition began. He always impressed everyone with his extensive knowledge of Hollywood film history. He leaves behind a large group of friends who will miss him. He was part of our family too.

[bigd]

I first met Alvin when I lived in Oklahoma in the 70s. He was a member of a collectors group called OAF (Oklahoma Alliance of Fandom). I was a member of that group for only about a year but was really impressed with Alvin.

He could rattle off film/TV facts and trivia with ease and no matter what topic came up, he was knowlegable about it.

I then moved away from OKla and then started attending the Memphis Film Festival in the mid 90s. There I was reunited with Alvin again after all those years. He hadn't changed a bit. And we continued to visit with each other over the next several years at the MFF.

It won't be the same without him.

[Robert Lowry]

From 1961-1965, a lunch with Alvin was an adventure in new experiences. Life is larger than one knows. Alvin was a memorable guide. He will be in my thoughts.

[doden101@ sbcglob]

Wilton 'Wilt" Conine of Oklahoma City graduated into Heavens Pearly Gates to see his Lord & Savior Jesus Christ Sunday 12/27/14 at 9:39am in oklahoma City, OK. Wilt is survived by his wife Patty Conie and daughters Tammy and Sally and numorous grandchildren and great grandchildren. memeorial Service pending

Oklahoma Chapter Official State Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Sept. 27, 2012
STILLWATER, Okla. – Seven contributors to the sport of wrestling will be honored Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012 by the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Dr. Tom Allen, Wilton Conine, Stan Deardeuff, John Finn, Danny Kendle, Mike Kirk, and Eddie Sullivan will be honored with a banquet and induction ceremony in Oklahoma City at the Jim Thorpe Museum. A thingytail hour will begin at 3 p.m. with dinner and the ceremony to follow at 4 p.m.
Reservations are $50 per person and are available online at www.ok-nwhof.ticketleap.com and are being accepted at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater.
All seven of this year’s honorees will be inducted with Lifetime Service to Wrestling Awards, an honor given annually to those coaches, officials and contributors who have given a minimum of 20 years of service to the sport of wrestling, to their communities, and, most importantly, to the young people they have coached, taught and inspired.

Wilton “Wilt” Conine graduated from Ponca City High School in 1957 where he was a three-time placer at the Oklahoma state wrestling tournament and a two-time state champion. Conine won over 50 tournaments during the course of his competitive wrestling career. He received a wrestling scholarship at Oklahoma State but an injury kept him from continuing his career as a Cowboy wrestler. Conine led his YMCA teams to the Southwest Area Championship for eight years and coached Hoover Junior High School in Oklahoma City to three undefeated seasons during his nine years. He also coached baseball, football, track, and wrestling in Ponca City.

Wilt was a longtime dealer and supporter of the Memphis Film Festival. He and Patty have operated the "Super Stars Shop of Colletibles" in OKC at the OLD PARIS FLEA MARKET. Patty is going to keep the shop open in OKC. posted - Danny Oden 405-534-2428

[Wilt Conine by Danny A. Oden]

WILT CONINE Rides Off TO HEAVEN Dec 30, 2014 at 12:13pm QuotePost Options Post by Guest on Dec 30, 2014 at 12:13pm
Wilton 'Wilt" Conine of Oklahoma City graduated into Heavens Pearly Gates to see his Lord & Savior Jesus Christ Sunday 12/27/14 at 9:39am in oklahoma City, OK. Wilt is survived by his wife Patty Conie and daughters Tammy and Sally and numorous grandchildren and great grandchildren. memeorial Service pending

Oklahoma Chapter Official State Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Sept. 27, 2012
STILLWATER, Okla. – Seven contributors to the sport of wrestling will be honored Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012 by the Oklahoma Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Dr. Tom Allen, Wilton Conine, Stan Deardeuff, John Finn, Danny Kendle, Mike Kirk, and Eddie Sullivan will be honored with a banquet and induction ceremony in Oklahoma City at the Jim Thorpe Museum. A thingytail hour will begin at 3 p.m. with dinner and the ceremony to follow at 4 p.m.
Reservations are $50 per person and are available online at www.ok-nwhof.ticketleap.com and are being accepted at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater.
All seven of this year’s honorees will be inducted with Lifetime Service to Wrestling Awards, an honor given annually to those coaches, officials and contributors who have given a minimum of 20 years of service to the sport of wrestling, to their communities, and, most importantly, to the young people they have coached, taught and inspired.

Wilton “Wilt” Conine graduated from Ponca City High School in 1957 where he was a three-time placer at the Oklahoma state wrestling tournament and a two-time state champion. Conine won over 50 tournaments during the course of his competitive wrestling career. He received a wrestling scholarship at Oklahoma State but an injury kept him from continuing his career as a Cowboy wrestler. Conine led his YMCA teams to the Southwest Area Championship for eight years and coached Hoover Junior High School in Oklahoma City to three undefeated seasons during his nine years. He also coached baseball, football, track, and wrestling in Ponca City.

Wilt was a longtime dealer and supporter of the Memphis Film Festival. He and Patty have operated the "Super Stars Shop of Colletibles" in OKC at the OLD PARIS FLEA MARKET. Patty is going to keep the shop open in OKC. posted - Danny Oden 405-534-2428