Tom R. "Tommie Ray" Stephenson

Stephenson, Tom R. "Tommie Ray" Born Callaway, Nebraska 6/8/1936. Died April 9, 2016, Oklahoma City, OK. Education: Wichita, Kansas, Graduated: East High School, 1954 -Attended Wichita University 1954-1959. Oklahoma City University Collage of Law, J.D. 1967. M.L.A. 1994. Played Baseball as a Catcher for East High School and Wichita University. Played Semi-Pro Baseball in Wichita, Kansas. Met and later married Mary L. Kraus on May 30, 1959, they were partners in marriage and family for 56 years. He served in the US Army Reserves from1958 - 1965 and was Honorably Discharged. Mary helped put Tom through law school as well as starting his practice. He always said that she was the "Wind beneath his wings". She was always there to support him in all of his endeavors. He was admitted to the Oklahoma Bar Association in 1967 and practiced law for 45 years. He was subsequently was appointed as a Special Judge for the Oklahoma City Municipal Court in 2004. They had four children: Craig Stephenson of Ponca City, OK, Katrina Stephenson of Del City, OK, Shreese Wilson of Peoria, IL and Mapsita Laughlin of Katy, TX. They were blessed to later add one daughter-in-law, Rebecca of Ponca City, OK and two sons-in-law, Daryl of Peoria, IL and Steve of Katy, TX. They had nine grandchildren: Mandi Dailey of Sand Springs, OK; Andrea Knight of Oklahoma City, OK; Aaron Stephenson of Sand Springs, OK; Austin Stephenson of Ponca City, OK; Adam Stephenson of Ponca City, OK; Nia Stephenson of Oklahoma City, OK; Alex Wilson of Norman, OK; Liddy Wilson of Peoria, IL and Lili Laughlin of Katy, TX. The grandchildren blessed him with five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Jerilyn Stephenson Moss of Wichita, KS. Tom enjoyed playing baseball in the semi-pros at Wichita, Kansas. He also officiated basketball and football throughout Oklahoma and Southern Kansas at the high school and collegiate level. Later, golf became a staple in his life. He served three terms in the Oklahoma State Legislature from 1974 to 1980, as a proud Democrat. He enjoyed the theater having been instrumental in establishing the Watonga Theatre playing in many shows. He also played at the Okeene Play House, Kingfisher Community Theatre, Edmond Theatre, ala carte and locally at the Jewel Box Theatre. Some of the shows were "Greater Tuna", "My Three Angels", "Broadway Bound", "Fools" and more than 15 other performances. He was an avid pilot for many years flying his own single and twin engine planes. He also served on the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission for several years, most recently as the Chairman. In the late 1980's he hosted a morning radio show on KIMY 93.5 FM out of Blaine County. He discovered how much fun it was to teach at Oklahoma City Community College. The students did their best to keep him young (at least at heart). He also taught at Rose State College and Redlands College in El Reno, Oklahoma. He always said he hoped to leave the world a little better than when he came into it. He always had compassion for the poor and the underdog and tried to help at every opportunity. In Lieu of flowers, send a donation to the general scholarship fund at Oklahoma City Community College or other school of your choice. His hope is that when he leaves this world, he leaves friends, not enemies. A celebration of his life and funeral mass will be held on April 13, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Epiphany Catholic Church, 7336 W. Britton Road, Oklahoma City, OK.