Charles Michael "Mike" Barkley, 74, passed away peacefully Saturday, October 1, 2022. He was born to the late Charles Roy "Bud" Barkley and Ruby Marcella (Hicks) Barkley, as the youngest of four children on June 16, 1948 in Tulsa, OK. Mike attended Lowell Elementary School, Cleveland Junior High and graduated from Central High School in 1966. He was an accomplished student and excelled in athletics: baseball, basketball and football. His father Bud coached his American Legion baseball team in 1964 and went on to win the Babe Ruth World Series defeating Puerto Rico. Mike earned a football scholarship to Kansas State University but soon transferred to Oklahoma State University (B.S. in Finance, 1970) where he played baseball and was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He continued his education by attending the University of Tulsa Law School (J.D., 1973).

Mike was a gifted and talented attorney who was involved in various areas of civil litigation beginning in 1973 with a principal emphasis on medical negligence. The Barkley Law Firm has proudly and successfully defended the Saint Francis Hospital System in numerous medical malpractice cases. Mike also handled litigation in 36 states for major Fortune 500 companies. For over 49 years, Mike was involved in many multi-district litigation cases involving banking, securities, spinal fixation devices, asbestos, and drug and product liability litigation. Mike was the attorney for World-Wide Volkswagen Corporation that made historic changes in the rule of law for venue and jurisdiction throughout the United States by virtue of the historical opinion rendered by the Supreme Court in 1980.

Mike Barkley was proud to be the Chairman of the Children's Hospital Foundation at Saint Francis. He either served on the Board or volunteered his time to assist in fundraising for the following worthy organizations: American Diabetes Association, Mental Health Association of Oklahoma, American Cancer Society, Big Brothers and Little Brothers of Tulsa, Tulsa Opera, Tulsa Philharmonic, Philbrook Museum of Art and Legal Aid for Eastern Oklahoma. Giving back to these organizations came naturally to Mike. His generous soul and love for Tulsa will be missed.

Mike will be remembered for his zest for life, his honesty and integrity and his deeds of loving kindness. He was a member of Southern Hills Country Club for 46 years where he enjoyed golf and made life-long friendships. He had a positive impact on everyone he met. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Cathey and their two sons Christian Michael Barkley and John Thomas Barkley, daughter Samantha McKee and husband Matt, grandchildren Caroline and John McKee all of Tulsa. He is also survived by his brother Harley "Sonny" Hudson and wife Ada of Tucson, AZ; sister Rosemary "Cookie" Kays and husband Dwight of Pryor, OK and sister Nancy McKay of Moore, OK as well as several nieces and nephews.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Fitzgerald's Ivy Funeral Home of Tulsa. Rosary will be at 6:00PM Wednesday, October 5th at Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, 14th and South Boulder Avenue (last minute location change), and the Funeral Mass will be at 10:00AM Thursday, October 6th at Holy Family Cathedral. Private Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery. The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Stephen Gawey and the wonderful caregivers at Porta Caeli for their love and kindness. Memorial donations may be made in Mike's name to Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma or The Children's Hospital at Saint Francis.

Mike was fiercely devoted to his family and friends. His loved ones will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest. We take comfort knowing he is now home in heaven.

Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, 918-585-1151