Edward and Jane Hulsey arrived in Mangum in January 1960 to establish an optometry practice. This year marks his 50th anniversary of providing professional eye care to the citizens of Mangum and the surrounding area. Dr. Hulsey still has former patients who visit his office whenever they are in town.

According to the Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians, Dr. Hulsey has been a licensed optometrist for 54 years. “We include the years in optometry school,” which is three years, their representative said. The association confirmed 1959 as his first licensed year after graduating from the Southern School of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. A native of Oilton, Dr. Hulsey returned to Oklahoma where he completed an internship in another optometrist’s office in Oklahoma City before moving to Mangum.

“For 50 years our father was as good as it could get,” said his son, Michael Edward (Mickey). “He sets a great example for not just us, but for all who come in contact with him. I hope we all find what we love to do and get to enjoy it in the same way.”

With five brothers and one sister, Dr. Hulsey served as his extended family’s optometrist as well. His siblings’ families would visit the Hulsey household at least once a year to have their eyes checked. “It was always great fun when the uncles, aunts and cousins came to visit,” said daughter, Jeri Lou. “We had new friends to play with and whenever a cousin was getting contacts, they’d stay a week just so dad could help them get used to wearing them.”

Dr. Hulsey’s first office was downtown until Dr. Fred Sellers built the clinic on South Louis Tittle. He and dentist Dr. James MacRoberts both moved into offices there at the same time. Dr. Hulsey’s office was located in the south portion of Quartz Mountain Medical Clinic. In October 1999, Dr. Hulsey moved his office to current location in the old Phillips 66 station at 129 N. Pennsylvania, where, with the help of Cindy Clayton, it was renovated to resemble the layout of the office on Louis Tittle.

Though he graduated from Central State University (now the University of Central Oklahoma) in Edmond and his wife, Jane, graduated from OSU, Dr. Hulsey has always been a die-hard OU fan. That’s why youngest daughter, Jennifer, was afraid to tell him she’d decided to attend Oklahoma State. “He always told me he’d buy me a car if I went to OU, but if I went to OSU, I’d have to ride the bus.” Even so, he did get Jennifer that car and supported everything she was involved in while she lived in Stillwater, even attending a football game or two.

Not too long after moving to Mangum, the Hulseys joined First United Methodist Church and became active members. Then, they were asked to be class parents for the MHS class of 1962. They’ve been “Mom and Pop” to those “kids” ever since and still consider it an honor. Together, they raised three children who are all MHS grads of the eighties: Jeri, Class of ‘80; Mickey, Class of ’82; and Jennifer, Class of ’84. Jane’s Girl Scout Troop always affectionately called Dr. Hulsey “Dr. Ed” whenever they visited the house, and still do.

A once avid golfer, Dr. Hulsey spent many hours at the city golf course. Over the years, he served as city commissioner, hospital board member, school board member and mayor, as well as on many different church committees and in civic clubs.