Sheppard Forrest Miers, Jr.

Sheppard (Mike) Forrest Miers, Jr. died June 4, 2023, in Tulsa, surrounded by his three children. Mike was born April 24, 1941, in Tulsa, OK to Sheppard F. Miers and Klyde L. Miers. He enjoyed a wonderful childhood with his parents and sister, Barbara, and many fond memories, including family trips to La Jolla, CA, miniature chocolate meringue pies his mother made especially for him and his English bulldog, Brutus. Mike attended Tulsa Public Schools and graduated in 1959 from Central High School where he made many lifelong friends. While at Central, he participated in basketball and track and field, and was a member of the 1958 Oklahoma 2A State Championship track and field team competing in the shot put and discus. Mike attended the University of Oklahoma where he was an honor roll student, member of Sigma Nu Fraternity and received his B.A. degree in History in 1963 and his Juris Doctorate degree in 1966. He also was a member of the OU track and field team, including the 1962 Big 8 championship team; and the O Club as a varsity letterman. Mike met his future wife, Charlene, on a blind date arranged by mutual friends in the summer of 1961. Their never-ending romance blossomed the following year when Charlene began her studies at OU. They quickly became inseparable and were married December 21, 1965. Mike was a loving husband and father and, with Charlene, was devoted to their three children. They provided a kind and loving home and enabled them to pursue all their interests and hobbies. They also placed special emphasis on their children's education and provided all the support and encouragement necessary for them to obtain undergraduate and post-graduate degrees. Mike was a generous and very supportive father and, as his children matured, he continued to provide a loving shoulder to lean on, a listening ear and thoughtful advice throughout the remainder of his life. Mike took great pride in his children and grandchildren and found much joy in their simple conversations, wagering a strawberry donut on the outcome of a big game, and attending their school and athletic events. He also very much enjoyed OU football games and many family vacations, particularly to Destin, FL. Modest, loyal, and thoughtful by nature, Mike had a quick wit and subtle sense of humor that was enjoyed by all who knew him. He valued hard work, tradition such as handwritten notes and a conservative, well-dressed appearance. Mike loved and cherished Charlene and continued to honor her in many ways after her death in 2007, including maintaining her special holiday traditions and family dinners, always making them beautiful each year for everyone at his home. Mike enjoyed creating paintings for friends and loved ones, writing poems to his wife, and developing holiday skits of great fun to perform with his family. He was dedicated to healthy living and daily exercise, and frequently competed at track and field events across the country until he was 81. Mike was routinely ranked in the top 10 of the USA Track & Field shot put national results for his age bracket and won the 2017 USATF Masters National Championship. Mike also vigorously advocated for cancer research and funding, serving on the Board of Advocates at the Stephenson Cancer Center at the University of Oklahoma, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and founded the Charlene Miers Foundation for Cancer research. Mike was a skillful attorney and served as an officer in the U. S. Army Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps in Charlottesville, VA, at Fort Lewis, WA and at Ft. Leavenworth, KS. Upon completing his military service, he worked in Tulsa with Cities Service Company and then as a partner at Huffman Arrington Law Firm and Gable Gotwals. During his career Mike continued his education earning his CPA license and Master of Laws degree in taxation at Southern Methodist University. Mike provided corporations and individuals exceptional legal services in tax, employee benefits and estate planning. He was always dedicated to his clients and had a tremendous work ethic through the end of his life. Mike was often recognized for his expertise and served as a speaker, adjunct professor and in many leadership roles for legal and tax organizations. He also wrote extensively in many publications, including The Oklahoma Bar Journal Tax Section Note containing an explanation of new Oklahoma tax laws each year from 1998 to 2022. He effortlessly used his keen sense of humor to convey complex and boring tax laws in witty and interesting ways. Mike's family is grateful for his many friends who provided wonderful encouragement and inspiration to our dad. Mike particularly valued his friendships with his Phill's Diner breakfast crew and Elizabeth Maher of Iowa City, IA. He very much appreciated their visits, emails, calls, and letters as he courageously faced the most challenging time of his life. Mike's family also wishes to extend their gratitude to Drs. Alan Keller and Caleb Scheckel of Tulsa, Dr. Guillermo Garcia-Manero of MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX, Dr. Taha Al-Juhaishi of Stephenson Cancer Center at the University of Oklahoma, and the many caring medical professionals who provided their expertise and advice to help with his fight against a most devastating disease. We will miss our father dearly, his constant support for us, wonderful personality and smile, and his silly, upbeat sense of humor. He was always fun to be around no matter the challenges he was facing. We are extremely blessed to have him as our father and cannot imagine our lives without him in it. Mike was preceded in death by his wife Charlene in 2007 and is survived by his daughter, Meredith A. Miers, daughter, Megan E. Miers and his son, Sheppard F. Miers, III (Kristi), and his three grandchildren, Sheppard F. Miers, IV, Vivian L. Miers and Carter H. Miers. A memorial service for Mike will be at St. John's Episcopal Church, Friday June 16, 2023, 2:00 p.m. Mike's family encourages friends to contribute to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in his memory.

Sheppard Forrest Miers, Jr.

April 24, 1941 - June 4, 2023