Thomas Harry McCormick

Born to Robert L. and Mildred McCormick on December 20, 1940 in Corpus Christi, TX, Tom was the second child of five siblings: oldest brother Bob, sister Susan and younger brothers Jim and Bill. Robert’s education and career in oil & gas took their family from Senton, TX to Pennsylvania in 1941, finally settling in Oklahoma City in 1947.

At Will Rogers Park in Oklahoma City, he fondly remembered breakfast cooked on a fire by his father in the “great outdoors.” One year, on a trip to the family farm in Coraopolis, PA, brothers Bob and Tom were allowed to drive the station wagon the whole 20-hour drive, which they felt was a big responsibility - and achievement. Tom also fondly remembered Christmases past. He recalled getting a Howdy Doody marionette doll, which he wanted very badly. That scary doll was up in the family attic for years!

Tom was also known for his love of animals. At 12 years old, his dog Pepper was renowned for a nasty growl (and bite). Tom was the only one who could put the new tags on Pepper’s collar every year. One Easter, Tom received ducks as a gift. His father, Robert, cut a hot water tank in half and put the ducks in to swim around. “If you sat really still they would come up and nibble on your back,” he once told us.

A graduate of Northwest Classen High School in 1959, Tom earned a B.A. in Chemistry from Oklahoma State University in 1963 and an M.S. in Chemistry from Kansas State University in 1968. A member of Sigma Tau at OSU, Tom was a proud Cowboy football fan for the rest of his life. It became a football season tradition to trade text messages with his brothers every Saturday as they watched the game.

After graduating, Tom traveled the world working in the oil industry as a chemist. He loved sharing stories of his travels with his children and grandchildren. He and Betty later moved back to Oklahoma City and worked for Kimray Inc., from which he retired after 38 years of service as Senior Vice President & Secretary of the Board. Among his many career achievements is his patent for a specialized method of oil extraction.

Tom also had a heart for service. He served on the board of directors of the Kiwanis Club, taught as a Sunday school teacher for his kids, and was deacon and elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Edmond. He made a difference in the greater Oklahoma City community where he lived for 38 years.

At home, he loved gardening. His backyard was the envy of many who knew him, with its gorgeous green lawn, yellow roses transplanted from his parents’ stock, and even a Zen garden that offered serenity at the end of his life.

Tom also had a life-long passion for photography. From an early age, he was the one behind the lens of his Brownie camera at family gatherings. He took classes at the Art Institute of Edmond and he also enjoyed painting. He was a life-long member of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and looked forward to the Prix de West every year.

As a fitness and health enthusiast, Tom participated in endurance cycling for over 25 years and made many friends in the sport, including the Hotter’n Hell Hundred in Wichita Falls, TX and the Enchanted Circle 25 in New Mexico. He always stayed up-to-date with the latest news in health and fitness and shared his knowledge with his friends and relatives. Even at 78 years old he could do 100 push-ups, and he practiced pilates and yoga until the very end.

As a life-long teacher and learner, Tom experienced a rich-inner life completely absorbed in thought and concepts. He read voraciously. At the end of his life he said, “If you want to know me, look at the books in my nightstand.” Tom enjoyed historical books about civilization and books about anthropology, but his curiosity didn’t stop there. He also read books about war, romance, art, cosmos, presidents, generals, philosophy and religion… a true renaissance man.

Tom openly shared his well-considered wisdom and unique perspective with anyone he knew. A favorite pastime was engaging in deep philosophical discussions over coffee on Saturday mornings. He was the person his children turned to for answers to any question, no matter how complicated or embarrassing. We will always remember the catchphrases he would use to counsel us, like “TTT,” “things take time,” or “think outside the box.” Even up to the end of his life, Tom was debating the value of Stokes’ Law in forecasting the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He had a generous heart not only for sharing ideas, but also giving his time and resources. He couldn’t stand in line without making a new friend. Near the end, he found great joy giving away one of his most treasured belongs, a yellow Bianchi bike, to a friend in his daughter’s neighborhood. It was very satisfying for him to ignite the passion for cycling in a novice.

But more than anything, Tom was an extraordinary husband, father and grandfather to “Team McCormick.” He passed away the day before his 56th wedding anniversary to the love of his life, Betty, his high school sweetheart. From the very start of their relationship, he was gentle, considerate and loving. He regularly wrote touching poems and love letters that expressed his “now and forever” love. “Come and grow old with me, the best is yet to be,” he wrote in a recent valentine. He taught Betty to cook at the start of the marriage, and after he retired, he re-ignited his passion for cooking and loved to treat Betty with new, healthy recipes. Living with Tom was a celebration of life.

Tom was a doting father and grandfather to Martha Sundstrom & husband Brett of Andover, Kansas and Elizabeth Reed & husband Charlie of Dallas, Texas; and his five grandchildren: Erik, Karin, Sonja, Hudson and Elle. He loved unconditionally and without judgment. Rather than grand gestures, Tom showed his love through acts of service and spending time with the important people in his life. He will also be remembered for his and Betty’s compassion and generosity when caring for his mother as she aged and through the end of her life.

We will always remember his broad smile that stretched from ear to ear and how his bright blue eyes twinkled.

Tom was really looking forward to a big birthday bash with friends and family for his 80th birthday. As he realized he would not be able to make it, he requested that, if we could remember, that we would all raise a toast to him.

Please join us in toasting an unforgettable husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend on December 20, 2020 with a juicy hamburger and scoop of vanilla ice cream. Guided by love in everything he did, he leaves an unforgettable legacy. An embodiment of finishing strong through good times and bad, he approached life with character, grit and love.

Memorial donations may be made to the Oklahoma State University Memorial Fund at osugiving.com or 800-622-4678.

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13