Business Manager’s Report

 
Hello, Brothers and Sisters,
 
I hope your spring is shaping up well for your families and loved ones. As you know, opportunities close to home are thinner now than we would like them to be, with many of our Brothers and Sisters on the road. The bright side of this is that many of us are in the position to help other Locals fill their calls and get their projects manned, which benefits their Halls, their signatories, and our members who are able to travel. Please make sure you have all your ERTS information up to date – we don’t want you missing out on any hard-won benefits while you are on the road.
 
We are, however, pleased to announce some projects that are finally taking shape or look likely to take shape in the near future. The OESCO job for the Oilers Ice Rink has already started to man up, and P1 will be spearheading the new Scheels Sporting Goods store in Tulsa, as well as Data Center Cub. Both of these last two projects look to be progressing more in May. See www.IBEW584.com for latest updates on these and other potential projects. I’d like to emphasize that the manpower numbers and start dates are likely, given the information we currently have – but they are not set in stone.
 
We also have an informational Pension Meeting for members to get up to date on their beneficiaries, tax info, and more -- which you can read about below in this issue.

 
Finally, I want to touch on one of the founding principles of the IBEW, which is listed in our Objects: “To assist each other in sickness or distress.” Coming off a holiday season where there was a lot of illness, for us and many of our family members, I want to encourage you to check in on your Brothers and Sisters to see how they are doing, mentally, physically, financially, and otherwise. Construction is a wonderful career path, but it has boom and bust cycles unlike most other industries where employees have a more traditional nine to five. When we have less work and don’t see each other as often, it can sometimes get stressful and isolating. IBEW members strive to be their Brothers’ (and Sisters’) keeper, so let’s make sure we’re taking good care of ourselves and our friends. If you need mental health or financial guidance, the Hall has resources we will always offer. It takes the strength of a warrior to ever ask for help, but your Union is here for you, and we want you to thrive in your career, and in your family life.
 
I look forward to seeing many of you at the next regularly scheduled Union meeting at 7 pm, tomorrow, Friday, May 5, 2023. If you need anything or if any of us at the Hall during the day can be of assistance, please always feel free to reach out – (918) 592-2989.
 
Fraternally,
Dustin Phelan
Business Manager / Financial Secretary
IBEW Local Union 584

New Insurance Option For Members – Dental, Disability, Life, And More

Informational Pension Meeting: May 24

In Memoriam

 
Jerry Tackett
April 18, 1948 - February 1, 2023
Card Number D486237
Death Benefit No. 293
 
IBEW 584 regrets to report the passing of brother Jerry Tackett. Brother Tackett of Owasso passed away Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at the age of 74.
 
Jerry was born to Jewell and Bernice Tackett in 1948 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He graduated from Central High School in 1966, and worked as an electrician for 37 years. He was a member of IBEW local #584 in Tulsa. In May, 1980 he married the love of his life, Kimberly Bryant, and together they raised two children, Jonathan and Marcus.
 
Jerry loved to spend time with his family, play golf, watch OU football games, and attend his grandsons sporting events. He was also a skilled wood craftsman and spent much of his time in his shop working on projects his sons and wife would dream up for him.
 
Jerry is preceded in death by his father, Jewell Tackett, his mother, Bernice Tackett, and his brother Jimmy Tackett. 
 
He is survived by his wife Kimberly; his son Jonathan and wife Megan; his grandsons Ryker, Reid, and Grady; his son Marcus and fiancé Rebecca; his brothers Harold (Annie), Richard (Jeanne), Steven (Angie), and Chris (Sandy); and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
 
The officers, staff, and entire membership extend our hearts and our condolences to Brother Tackett’s family, friends, and loved ones during this time of loss.
 
Esteban "Lou" Justo Vargas
December 26, 1937 - February 8, 2023
Card Number D627926
Death Benefit No. 294
 
We regret to report to the membership of IBEW 584 the loss of Local Union Brother Esteban "Lou" Justo Vargas, a lifelong resident of Dewey, who passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2023. He was 85.
 
Esteban was born on December 26, 1937, in Dewey, to Alfonso Vargas and Dolores (Ruiz) Vargas. He attended Dewey schools through the 10th grade and then worked as a cowboy on area ranches as a teenager. In 1954, at the age of 17, Esteban joined the Air Force, serving stateside as a weapons mechanic. Following his honorable discharge, he remained in Lawton for a short time, where he worked for a bottling company and painted signs. He married Dolores “Jean” Reid in 1962 and they moved back to Dewey in 1968. They divorced in 1979, but the couple remained lifelong friends.
 
Esteban has left a legacy in the Bartlesville and Dewey areas. In the 1970s he went to school to become an electrician and did electrical work all throughout the area. Driving around with his children, Esteban would point out the work he completed in numerous homes and businesses. He was an extraordinarily gifted craftsman utilizing his tools with great skill. He built his own house for his family. He was a proud member of IBEW (the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union) Local 584 out of Tulsa.
 
Esteban was a talented guitar player and a lifelong member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Dewey. He leaves behind a loving family and friends who will miss him dearly.
 
Esteban is survived by his ex-wife and longtime friend, Dolores Vargas; three children, Tommy Vargas, Lisa Vargas, and Esteban Vargas and his fiancé Tara; 11 grandchildren, Lekisha, Jessica and her husband Royce, Colby and his wife Rebecca, Michelle, Brooke and her husband Justin, Lacey, Justin, Kelcie, Jarred, Jesse, and Colton; 28 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren and 2 more on the way. 
 
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Jo Lena Jordan; grandson, Joshua David; and all eight of his siblings, Cecilia Meade, Emila Martinez, Frances Gomez, Pastor Vargas, Alfonso Vargas, Louis Vargas, Clemente Vargas, and Mary Maldonado.
 
During this time of bereavement, IBEW 584’s membership, staff, and officers wish to offer our prayers to Brother Vargas’ family, friends and loved ones.

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