Thomas "Tom" Jay Teegarden passed away peacefully in Tulsa, OK at the age of 93. Tom had a long and fulfilled life beginning in Ponca City, OK, born to Emil Jay and Elizabeth O. (Cofer) Teegarden. They lived in an oil camp in Carter Nine, OK, where his father was employed with Carter Oil Co. When the camp closed, the family moved to Illinois, then later moved, to Powell, WY, where unfortunately, Tom's father died unexpectedly at the age of 41. Tom was 16 years old when this occurred and had to immediately assume adult responsibilities, which involved moving his family to Tulsa, OK, where relatives lived. He drove a 1937 Pontiac with his, then, pregnant mother and younger sister from Wyoming to Oklahoma.

Tom completed high school at Central in Tulsa, then attended the University of Tulsa and worked in the oil fields during the summer months. Over the next few years, he worked in several states, which included Kansas and Colorado, then worked as a Purchasing Agent in Wyoming and Dallas, TX. Tom, then ventured out and started his own Manufacturers Rep business and sold the company upon his retirement.

Tom and his wife, Beverly (O'Hurd), met in Wichita Kansas during the time he worked there. They shared 61 years of marriage prior to her death in 2014 and had 3 children together. In the early 1980's they decided to leave Richardson, TX, after living there for many years, and purchase land in Sanger, TX where they built their dream home. This property, which included an airstrip, was situated in a community of pilots. Tom was an avid pilot and owned several planes over the years. Flying was one of his many passions in life. Tom was a musician and enjoyed playing all types of horn instruments. He was also a talented writer and author of several books.

He left Sanger, TX after his wife's passing and moved back to Tulsa to be closer to relatives. He lived at the Broadmoor in Tulsa and developed many friendships and enjoyed his time there for the last 7 years. A special thank you to the staff at the Cottages at Woodland Hills for the care and compassion given to Tom over the last days of his life.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly, his daughter, Susan Wray and his granddaughter, Haley Barnes. He is survived by his son, Mark Teegarden; daughter, Shelly Barnes; sister, Ann Haines; brother, David Teegarden, and sister-in-law, Lisa Jones; cousin, Jan Barnhart; grandchildren, Marcus Wray, Laura and John Teegarden, and Evan and Jillian Geiman; and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 11, at Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, 1402 S Boulder Ave, Tulsa. Burial following at 3:00 p.m. at Sunnyside Cemetery, Caney, KS.

Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, 918-585-1151