Oklahoma native Henry Charles “Ladd” Hitch, Jr., graduated from Guymon High School, attended Panhandle A & M College (now Oklahoma Panhandle State University), and received his Bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma A & M College (now Oklahoma State University) in 1939. He became president and operating manager of Henry C. Hitch Ranch, Inc., Henry C. Hitch Farms, Inc., and the Henry C. Hitch Feedlot, Inc. He was a director of the University of Oklahoma Research Institute, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, State Fair Board, Board of Regents for OSU, and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. He served as an officer in the state, regional, and national Cattlemen’s Associations, Cattle Feeder’s Associations, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness and Rural Affairs Committee and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Industry Advisory Committee.