Jack Choate Jr. honored at promotion ceremony

Jack Choate Jr. honored at promotion ceremony

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol recognized a number of recent promotions with a ceremonial pinning on Monday, April 15. Jack Choate Jr. was joined by his son, Tech Sergeant Joshua Choate and his brother retired Trooper Mike Choate at the pinning ceremony as they pinned on his Major insignia and badge.

Jack Choate Jr. was promoted to Major in the Oklahoma Highway Patrol on February 1. He will command Zone 5 which covers all northeast Oklahoma (Troop B-Tulsa, Troop L-Vinita, and Troop C-Muskogee districts). According to Major Choate, “that’s from I-40 to Kansas and basically US75(but include Creek county) to Arkansas.”

Jack Choate Jr was born in Wetumka in 1967 to Jack Sr, and Betty Choate, he grew up in Okemah after briefly living in Mannford, Oklahoma while his father served as a State Trooper.   

Choate graduated Okemah High School in 1985. He played varsity football and was an active member of the high school band as a drummer.

Choate has 2 sons, Jacob and wife Marce’ of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and son Joshua of Tulsa.  His family still resides in Okfuskee County area.   Choate’s family includes his brother Mike and wife Tammy and their family which includes Tanner (Lexy), Tyler (Madison), his mother Betty Choate, his sister Stacey (Kevy Vass) son Kamden and daughter Kerrigan.

Jack Choate Jr, his father Jack Choate Sr. and his brother Mike were all State Troopers actively serving on the Patrol at the same time for a while.   Jack Choate Sr retired in 2006.   When Mike graduated patrol school, it was the first time in OHP history that there was a father and two sons actively serving.  Mike Choate retired from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol in 2020.