Joe Russel Kreger (born 1939 in Tonkawa, Oklahoma)[1] served twice as poet laureate of the American state of Oklahoma.[2] He was previously appointed in 1998 after the death of Betty Shipley,[3] and reappointed in 2021.[2] Kreger was the first poet laureate of the state to be considered primarily a "cowboy poet,",[2] preceding Eddie Wilcoxen (2011–2012) and Jay Snider (2023-2024). Born in Tonkawa, Oklahoma,[2] Kreger has spent most of his life as a rancher.[3][4][5]

His poems have been published as Lookin' at Life (1997, Innovative Broadcast Corp) and Still Lookin' (2000, Doane Agricultural Service).[6][7]

Early life

Joe Kreger was born in Tonkawa, Oklahoma.[1] His father was a medical doctor who served in the U.S. Army during World War II.[1] Kreger earned a bachelor's degree in animal science in 1961[7] and a master's in agricultural education in 1968 from Oklahoma State University.[8] He served in the U.S. Army Reserves, worked for Redbud Hereford Ranch, taught at Northern Oklahoma College, and then founded his own ranch, Kreger Ranch.[7]

Works

Collections

Publications

The High Plains Journal has published numerous poems by Kreger:[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Browne, Archibalde (2 June 2021). "Oklahoma poet laureate Joe Kreger reflects on his life as a 'cowboy poet'". NonDoc. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d Martin, Brandon (22 April 2021). "Joe Kreger named Oklahoma State Poet Laureate". KOKH. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  3. ^ a b Holliday, Shawn (2015). The Oklahoma Poets Laureate: A Soucebook, History, and Anthology. Norman, OK: Mongrel Empire Press. p. 202. ISBN 9780990320432.
  4. ^ "Cowboy Poetry". Kreger Ranch. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  5. ^ Root, Ken (30 May 2017). "Joe Kreger: My most unforgettable character". Iowa Agribusiness. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  6. ^ a b c "Catalogue records". WorldCat. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  7. ^ a b c Burke, Mack (25 August 2021). "Joe Russell Kreger is Oklahoma's poet laureate again". Oklahoma State University. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  8. ^ "Joe Kreger". Spears School of Business. November 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
  9. ^ "Cowboy Poetry by Joe Kreger". High Plains Journal. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
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