Thomas Patrick Nally

Thomas Patrick Nally passed away May 23, 2014. He was born to the late Thomas Joseph and Margaret Allen Nally in Juneau, Alaska on September 2, 1951. With his father’s work with the FBI, the family moved from Juneau to Washington D.C., to Richmond, VA before settling in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI. Tom attended St. Paul School in GPF, Michigan. Competitive by nature, he received the St. Paul High School Senior award for track, football and basketball in 1969. Tom was a self-taught sailor and loved the strength of the wind and being out on the water. He was awarded a football scholarship to the University of Tulsa and attended from 1969 until his graduation in 1973. He then sold his first Thistle sailboat to attend the University of Tulsa Law School. Upon graduation in 1976, he was hired by Jerry Nichols to become a member of the law firm of Nichols, Wolfe, Stamper, Nally, Fallis and Robertson. His firm later merged with the law firm of Hall, Estill, Hardwick, Gable, Golden and Nelson. Tom loved the essence of his work including his law partners, coworkers and clients. Tom’s mother Margaret died while he was attending the University of Tulsa in 1972. He attended daily mass in the University’s Sharp Chapel, where 5 years later he married the love of his life, Karen Morris Nally, October 22, 1977. They were blessed with many wonderful years in Tulsa with their loving family and friends. Sailing continued to be a big part of Tom’s life. He taught his 3 children how to sail and was Commodore of Windycrest Sailing Club at Lake Keystone. Years later, in the British Virgin Islands, Tom always knew the wind direction and speed! Generous and kind hearted, Tom was an outstanding member of the Tulsa community. He was an active member of Saint Bernard’s Catholic Church, the American Bar Association and lifetime member of the University of Tulsa’s Lettermen’s Association. His interests included Catholic Charities, Saint Francis of Assisi Tuition Assistance Trust, and the Rotary Club of Tulsa. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law Thomas P. Morris, sister-in-law Peggy Hawn and brother-in-law Joe Amaro. He is survived by his beloved wife of 36 years, Karen Morris Nally; children Thomas Patrick Nally, II (Chicago, IL), Douglas Ryan Nally (Houston, TX) and Dr. Mary Caroline Nally (Chicago, IL); daughters-in-law Dr. Margaret Mackin Nally and Laura Fischer Nally; granddaughter Josephine (Josie) Penelope Nally and mother-in-law Pat Morris. Tom’s closeness to his siblings and extended families was enviable. His brother who were much loved and an important part of his daily life, Dennis Nally (Naples, FL) and Micheal Nally (Ridgewood, NJ); and his sisters who he loved and was protective of, Margaret Amaro (Dallas, TX) and Kathy Crowley (GPF, MI); sisters-in-law Karen K. Nally, Maureen Nally, Martha Coons, Marisa DePaulis-Hawn, Carol Bennett, Donna Tomlinson, Connie Morris, Pam Morris and Joan Griffin; brothers-in-law John Crowley, Robert Coons, Jr., Randy Hawn, Art Bennett, Hank Tomlinson, Thomas Morris, Jr., Gary Morris and John Morris. Tom always believed in the importance of education and family. Custom banners were always given to his numerous beloved nieces and nephews to celebrate graduations and weddings. The rosary service will be 7 pm on Tuesday, May 27. The Funeral Mass will be at 11 am on Wednesday, May 28. Both services will be held at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Church (4001 East 10st St. Tulsa, OK). In lieu of sending flowers, the family would ask that donations be made in Tom’s name to Catholic Charities. John 3:8 “The wind blows where it wills; and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the spirit.” Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel, 918-291-3500.

Thomas Patrick Nally

September 2, 1951 - May 23, 2014