Tommy Lee Holland

Tommy Lee (“Tom”) Holland passed away peacefully at Clarehouse in Tulsa, Oklahoma on May 6, 2019. Tom was born September 11, 1938 in Delaware, Arkansas, to Freda (Johnson) Holland and Mitchell Lee Holland. He was a 1956 graduate of Conway Springs, Kansas High School and obtained his B.A. from Friends University in 1961, his J.D. from The University of Tulsa College of Law in 1971, and his LL.M from the University of Illinois in 1976. Following college, Tom served in the United States Army Finance Corps from 1961-64. He then worked as a National Bank Examiner for the United States Treasury Department until he entered law school in 1967. While attending law school, he worked for First National Bank as a Credit Review Analyst. After his graduation from law school, he served as a law clerk for the Supreme Court of Oklahoma. In 1973, he began his 40-year career as a Professor of Law at the University of Tulsa College of Law, teaching various courses in the commercial law area until his retirement. During his time at TU, Tom also was the Acting Dean of the law school, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Associate Dean, and Assistant Dean. He served on numerous university committees as well, and was the NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative for TU from 2001-08. Throughout his career as a professor, Tom appreciated opportunities to teach in Provo, Utah, San Antonio, Texas, San Francisco, California, London, England, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Dublin, Ireland, and Geneva, Switzerland. Tom supported his community through involvement as Board President and Director of Neighbor for Neighbor; President and Member of the Parish Council and Member of the Pastoral Council for Resurrection Catholic Church; Member of the Board of Directors for both the South Central Region and the Oklahoma Affiliate of the American Diabetes Association; Advisory Council Member for Memorial High School and Byrd Middle School; and Member of the National Alumni Board for Friends University. In his leisure time, Tom enjoyed traveling the world with his wife, Janet; cheering on his grandchildren on the golf course and at basketball, baseball and soccer games; attending football games, basketball games and other sporting events to watch his beloved Golden Hurricane; and playing golf. In the past few years, he rarely missed a Pedaling for Parkinson’s class at the Tandy YMCA. He also appreciated reading, country music, concerts, theater, dinner groups with friends, and his Great Decisions group. In 80 years, Tom touched many lives, shared much wisdom, educated multiple generations of Tulsa lawyers, and made such a difference to his community. Tommy was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Lonnie R. Adams; and brother, Bill J. Holland. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Janet Bromert Holland of Tulsa, OK; daughters, Jennifer Holland Litke (Steve) of Fort Worth, TX; Kara Holland Hennessee (Sean) of Tulsa, OK; grandchildren, Andrew and William Hennessee of Tulsa, OK; Hayden and Karoline Litke of Fort Worth, TX; step-brother, Larry L. Adams (Nancy) of Windsor, CO; sister-in-law Vickie Holland Meyers (Ed) of Conway Springs, KS; mother-in-law Elsie Bromert of Wagner, South Dakota; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Visitation will be Sunday, May 19, from 4:30 to 7:00 pm at Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel with Prayer Service at 7:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, May 20, at 10:30 am at Resurrection Catholic Church, Tulsa. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to: Clarehouse, 7617 S. Mingo Rd., Tulsa, 74133 (clarehouse.org/donate); Neighbor for Neighbor, 505 E. 36th St. N., Tulsa, 74106-1812; Parkinson Foundation of Oklahoma (parkinsonoklahoma.com/donate); or The University of Tulsa (utulsa.edu/support).

Tommy Lee Holland

September 11, 1938 - May 6, 2019