‘We Are All Struggling:’ Co-Workers Remember Teacher Who Died Saving Son In Lake

A metro teacher is dead after Oklahoma Highway Patrol said he jumped into a lake to save his son who fell into the water.

Casey Satterlee,42, was a high school math teacher at Putnam City North. He was just enjoying time with family on the water when tragedy struck.

“From the moment I met him and he walked in and sat down and we started talking, I was asking him questions (and) I knew he was somebody we needed for our students,” said Keely Frayser, part of the curriculum staff at Putnam City Schools.

Frayser hired Satterlee at Capps Middle School before working at Putnam City North High School.

Co-workers said he had a way with students.

“You just can't say enough good things about him,” said Tammye Bishop, who works in the math department at Putnam City North. “What happened is totally what I would expect out of him.”

Troopers said Satterlee dove into the water to rescue his 8-year-old son that fell off a floaty.

As he did, the boat Casey's 12-year-old was still on, floated away as he called 911.

Winds were reportedly high that day. 

“He's definitely a family man, cares about his kids, cares about his family,” said Bishop. “He’s definitely an icon that is going to be missed at North. We are all struggling. We're having to meet and talk to each other about everything because it is hard. It is hard to lose someone.”

Divers found Satterlee’s body at a nearby island. His son swam to a nearby marina following the incident, according to troopers.

As the sun sets on another day, saying goodbye has never been more difficult.

“I’m proud of him,” said Bishop. “He is going to be missed and he is definitely going to be remembered.”

 Satterlee ran for office in 2018, advocating for public education.

His wife, Lisa, is also a teacher in Edmond.

Donations for the family are being collected online.