Stan’s Pools Construction:
Reflecting on almost 50 years of success
LAWTON - After his Naval duty ended in 1971, 23-year-old Stan Oldham found himself in Lawton working with vinyl pool liners. Little did the Walters native know, what began as “just a job” would become a profitable business venture for he and his family.
When it comes to swimming pools, Stan’s Pools Construction has become the choice for many homeowners in the region. The company has been a part of the Lawton area for close to 50 years and has created beautiful backyard retreats for hundreds of families across southwest Oklahoma and north Texas.
“I started out working with vinyl pool liners in 1972,” said Stan. “By 1976, I was working with concrete and had established my own pool construction company. I found that by listening to customers, using quality products, paying close attention to detail, and providing customer service after the sale, my wife and I were able to raise our sons, Jason and Austin.”
Stan believes in integrity, quality craftsmanship and 24-hour customer service. The company has a solid reputation for standing behind each project and being available to customers day or night.
Although the unusual amount of rain has delayed some recent projects, Stan’s typically constructs, repairs or renovates pools year-round. Stan’s youngest son Austin explains that most new construction projects are done in January and February, so the pools are ready to use by spring.
“A pool is a reflection of your success,” said Stan. “We have between 30 and 35 new construction and close to 20 remodel projects each year. Many times, 20-year customers will call on us to retile, restructure, repair or just update their pool. I often have customers come up and thank me Stan’s Pools Construction... tell me how glad they are that we installed their pool, or we were available to help them with any issues; that means a lot to me.”
“I found that by listening to customers, using quality products, paying close attention to detail, and providing customer service after the sale, my wife and I were able to raise our sons, Jason and Austin.”
RESTAURANT BUSINESSES
Two Lawton restaurants are also owned by the Oldham family.
They purchased The Silver Spoon in August 2011, and opened Atlanta Bread in December 2018. In the seven months it has been open, Atlanta Bread is doing quite well. A re-opening of The Silver Spoon is planned for August after an electrical fire destroyed a large part of the kitchen earlier this year.
“Business is just part of our lives,” said Austin. “I remember how much fun it was going out with dad to help retile a pool when I was 12 or 13 years old. Since then, we have worked together so much that it doesn’t seem like a job.”
Stan jokingly referred to himself as “just a ditch digger,” but he and his family still make time to do the things they love.
He has a deep appreciation of antique cars and currently has 14 in his collection. His wife of 43 years and the driving force behind the two restaurants, Vera, is actively involved with several organizations in the Lawton community. Austin and older brother Jason like to play golf whenever they get the chance.
With close to five decades in the pool construction business, Stan has seen quite a few fads come and go. But he has instilled in his sons the same values that have made the company a success: integrity, product quality and an unending commitment to customers.