The Pryor High School Aviation program received a significant gift Monday, August 31—a 42-year collection of specialized aviation maintenance tools donated by the family of the late James Charles “Jim” Park.

Park had expressed his wish that his tools be given to an aviation maintenance program where young people could use them while learning to carry on the profession. Following his passing, his son, Ryan Park, worked to fulfill that wish with the help of Ronnie Morris, Park’s former crew chief at American Airlines.

Morris spearheaded the search for a program where the tools could continue to serve a meaningful purpose. That search ultimately led to Pryor High School and the Aviation Aces.

The donation included three roll-around toolboxes filled with specialized tools collected throughout Park’s career. The tools were delivered to the Aces’ new dedicated hangar, located adjacent to the Pryor Middle School STEM facility.

Instructors Dr. Jenny Peters and Tami Rowland joined their students in accepting the donation and exploring the tools that will now become part of the program’s hands-on instruction.

“I can’t express enough how neat it was to witness the students go through the tools that were donated,” Peters said. “It was like Christmas morning, and it was all made possible because of the generosity of one family and a friend of their late father.”

For Peters, the gift represents much more than additional equipment for the growing aviation program. It provides students with tools shaped by decades of experience while allowing Park’s aviation legacy to continue through a new generation.

“Because of this one simple act, students for years to come will get to learn and benefit,” Peters said. “It’s a great honor to know that we are doing exactly what Mr. Park wanted. We are using his tools to build airplanes!”

Pryor Public Schools is deeply grateful to the Park family and Morris for entrusting the Aviation Aces with this remarkable collection and for supporting students as they develop the skills needed to become the next generation of aerospace professionals.