CARTHAGE, Mo. – The Hall of Carthage Heroes Oversight Committee is pleased to announce the election of three Carthage Heroes to the Class of 2023.
Founded in 2012, the Hall of Carthage Heroes, located inside the Fair Acres Family YMCA, is the fulfillment of a dream of Marvin VanGilder and others to recognize and honor Carthaginians whose lives or accomplishments have brought credit and recognition to Carthage, and who are worthy of emulation by today’s citizens. It honors heroes past and present, citizens of distinction, as well as outstanding athletes and teams.
The Class of 2023 was chosen by an independent selection committee, representing various Carthage civic organizations, from nominations submitted by the general public.
These heroes join 96 other Carthaginians inducted to the Hall since 2012.
The Heroes of the Class of 2023 are:
Dr. Emil Louis Oexman, Doctor, Civic Leader, and friend to all – A graduate of Cleveland Chiropractic College, Dr. Oexman began the practice of his profession in 1950 in Carthage. He served on the Missouri State Chiropractic Association for many years, including Secretary for two terms, 1st Vice President for two terms, and President for one term. He was a member of their Board of Directors for two terms, and Chairman of the Practice Assistance Program for six years. During this time, he was awarded the Missouri Chiropractor of the Year.
Dr. Oexman was dedicated to his community, serving in many important roles throughout the town. These included being a member of the Carthage City Council; President of the Carthage Board of Public Works, Elder and Deacon of the First Presbyterian Church; Carthage-Ozark Presbytery Men’s Council President; Principal founder of the Carthage and Sarcoxie Layman’s Pre-Christmas Services; President of the Carthage Toastmasters Club of which he was awarded Toastmaster of the Year in 1965; President of the Carthage Sportsman’s League where he led efforts to develop an extensive fish-stocking program and lighting and landscaping improvements at Kellogg Lake Park; Honorary Colonel for Carthage Senior High School ROTC as well as a recipient of service awards from the football and music teams; Served two terms as Maple Leaf parade Chairman; a member of the Wings of Music Volunteer band and Flying Rifles Drill Team; Founding Chairman of the Jasper County Historical Society’s Genealogical Committee; and was active in local and district Boy Scouts.
A proud member of the Lions Club, Dr. Oexman served as Lions Club Director, Secretary, and President; Chairman and Cabinet Secretary of District 26-E Lions Zone; he was awarded Lion of the Year; established and chaired the Lions Club boxing program; led the Lions Club sponsored Leo Club for boys and young men; established the Carthage Citizen of the Year award; served as Sight Committee Chairman, and Easter Egg Hunt Chairman for two years.
JONATHAN CHAD MURRAY, Exceptional Runner, and Coach – Jon graduated from Carthage High School in 1986, where he broke the school records for the 1600 and 3200 meter runs multiple times. Including a time of 9:25:19 in the 3200, a CHS school record that stood for 34 years. As a junior, Jon placed 6th in the state in the 3200 meter and 2nd as a senior. Murray was also a member of the 3200 relay that placed 3rd state in 1986, with a record time of 8:02.67. Jon’s split was 1:56 according to the Carthage Press. He was the high-point scorer in track events as a senior and named Most Valuable Player.
In Cross Country Jon was named All-State after placing 3rd at the state meet in the 5k run as a junior and was 6th his senior year.
Jon attended Harding University in Searcy, AR where he was an All-American in 1989 and 1990. He was National Champion in the NAIA marathon race in 1990. Jon was inducted into the Harding Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.
After a year as a graduate assistant coach at Harding, he moved to Abilene Christian University where he spent 14 years as head coach of the cross-country program, five years as head track and field coach, and nine years as assistant track and field coach. His teams at ACU won 11 NCAA Division II National Championships and eight Lone Star Conference Championships. His Wildcat men’s team was undefeated in 10 NCAA Division II indoor and outdoor national meets, and his women’s team won the indoor title in 2000. At ACU he was Lone Star Conference Coach of the year in men’s and women’s cross country and men’s track and field and served as President of the NCAA Division II Cross Country Coaches Association.
At Texas Tech since 2006, now head cross-country coach, Murray has guided the Lady Raiders to multiple Big 12 Championships. He also serves as assistant coach for the men’s track and field team which won the NCAA Division I National Championship in 2019. During his time at Texas Tech, he has guided the development of 4 NCAA Champions, 14 First team All-Americans, 8 Big 12 Champions, 3 Big 12 Track Championships, and 3 Big 12 Cross Country Championships.
JARED OSBORNE, Youth Sports Champion & Coach – During his career at CHS, Jared broke all 8 individual school records as well as swimming on 3 record-breaking relay teams. He still holds 4 individual marks and is a member of one school record relay. Jared was a year-round swimmer and was committed to becoming a championship swimmer from a young age.
Osborne swam two open events at the 1999-2000 state meet of his freshman season placing 12th in the consolation finals of the 100-yard backstroke. His sophomore year Jared earned a 5th place medal in the 100-yard backstroke, and he swam in the consolation finals in the 100-yard butterfly placing 13th. He also swam as a member of the 200-yard medley relay team that finished 10th. In his junior year, Osborne was state champion in the 100-yard butterfly.
Jared opted to swim with his club team, the Jasper County Killer Whales, his senior year of high school. There he competed at the US Junior Swim Championships. He placed 12th in the 100-yard butterfly and 24th in the 200-yard backstroke at Nationals.
After graduation from Carthage High School in 2003, Jared continued his swimming career as a walk-on for the University of Washington. He quickly earned a scholarship for the remainder of his college career. He was awarded the most improved U.W. swimmer in 2004. In 2005, Jared placed 11th in the Pac 10 Championships, qualifying for Nationals. He swam in the U.S. summer Nationals in 2004 and 2005 and the World Championship Trials in 2004. Jared earned the Coaches Award in 2005, 2006, and 2007.
For information on nominating someone for the Class of 2024, visit the Hall website at hallofcarthageheroes.org.
The installation ceremony for this year’s class will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at the Fair Acres Family YMCA. Family, friends, past recipients, community members and media are all invited to attend. We hope to see you there!
About Hall of Carthage Heroes
Established in 2012, Hall of Carthage Heroes is a distinctive honor for citizens of Carthage, Missouri who have exhibited the highest qualities, in both their professional and personal lives, in the betterment of Carthage and our country. The Hall has two divisions, one to recognize pioneers & citizens of distinction, the other to honor outstanding athletes. New nominations are accepted each year and an anonymous committee made of citizens from various Carthage civic groups selects the class of honorees. Learn more at hallofcarthageheroes.org and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/hallofcarthageheroes. Gifts to support Hall of Carthage Heroes are appreciated and may be made at Carthage Community Foundation.
