He’s done it again. Local radio personality and poet Eddie Wilcoxen has released a new book of poetry, “Ridin’!” Rodeo and Range. The Altus Public Library takes great pleasure in introducing Eddie’s new book of poetry with a poetry reading on Saturday, August 1 at 10 a.m. Copies of his new book will be available for purchase and autographs. Eddie is graciously donating all proceeds from the sale of his book to the Great Plains Stampede Rodeo.

Eddie Wilcoxen has been writing poetry since early childhood. In high school and college he won many honors for his original oratory, debate, and interpretation of poetry. In 2008 he was a finalist nominee for Poet Laureate of Oklahoma. He was chosen Poet Laureate of the Western Trails Historical Society. Wilcoxen has written half dozen books of poetry, including his Centennial book, Oklahoma Proud! His books range from the introspective with Reflections of a Wandering Mind, to the thematic such as Oklahoma Proud! “Ridin’! Rodeo & Range. He has also written a very popular children’s book of poetry, Animal ABC’s – A Book of Whimsy. His morning radio show on KWHW Radio is the most listened to in Altus, Oklahoma.

Eddie grew up on a farm in southwest Kansas, the fifth of six boys. He spent much of his childhood in hospital overcoming polio, severe asthma and other severe illnesses. A graduate of Dodge City College and the National Radio Institute in Kansas City. He received a First Degree Engineering License from the Federal Communications Commission. His career in broadcasting spans almost 40 years in Kansas, Ohio, Colorado, Virginia and Oklahoma, and includes numerous awards in excellence. He has lived in Oklahoma since 1977 with his wife Joan.

Eddie is also a three time National Karate Champion. With his karate studio in Altus, Eddie has trained of black belts in Kihido Karate, a system founded on the principles of character development. He was proclaimed an “Official Olympic Hero” and chosen to carry the Olympic Torch on its journey to Athens, GA for the 1996 Olympic Games.

Eddie has received much recognition for his gardens and for the waterfalls, ponds and fountains he has created. His work has been featured in Oklahoma Gardner Magazine and his gardens are included in the charity fundraiser, Garden Tours of Southwest Oklahoma.

Eddie is strongly involved in Altus community affairs. During his tenure as President of the Altus Kiwanis Club he founded the world’s largest chapter of a Kiwanis youth club, and was chosen as “Kiwanian of the Year.” He has served as Chairman of the United Way Campaign, and was honored by the City of Altus with “Eddie D. Wilcoxen Day.” He is also a strong supporter of the Altus Public Library, always willing to come and do Karate programs or just read to the kids or do a program for the Coffee Cup Bunch.

Eddie is an entertaining and inspirational speaker so don’t miss the opportunity to hear him read his poetry on Saturday, August 1st at 10 AM at the Altus Public Library. For more information about the program call the library at 477-2890.