Thomas Determan

Thomas Edward Determan passed away on October 5, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of integrity and hard work. He was born on November 30, 1934, in Okarche, Oklahoma to Herman H. Determan and Anna J. (Schaefer) Determan. Thomas lived a life filled with purpose and made significant contributions to his community and the engineering industry.

Thomas attended Holy Trinity Catholic School and graduated from high school in 1952. He went on to pursue higher education at Oklahoma A&M College (now known as OSU) and graduated in January of 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering.  After graduating from college and equipped with both knowledge and determination, Tom began his career at Douglas Aircraft. However, his dedication to serving his country prompted him to enter the U.S. Navy shortly after getting married to his college sweetheart Janie Maloney. From 1957 to 1960, he served as the Damage Control Officer & Engineering Officer aboard the U.S.S. Bauer DE1025 based in San Diego. This experience allowed Tom to develop skills that would become invaluable later in his career.

Following his military service, Tom and Jane returned to Oklahoma. They settled in Okarche for several years before moving to Oklahoma City in 1965. Tom joined forces with his college classmate Dave Scheirman at Sorey, Hill & Sorey Architectural/Engineering Firm. There he worked diligently for several years while honing his engineering and design expertise.

During this time, Tom was loaned out to Merchants Transfer Co., where he played a crucial role as the Assistant Manager & Project Engineer for the installation of structural steel and support equipment in six Atlas Missile Silos near Altus Air Force Base in southwest Oklahoma. The project was a high priority due to the Cold War situation, requiring everyone involved to work long hours. However, shortly after completion, the Atlas Missile Sites were deactivated.

In 1964, Thomas became a registered professional engineer in the state of Oklahoma, and later earned recognition in Florida and Texas. In 1966, he partnered with Dave Scheirman to establish Determan-Scheirman Consulting Engineering Firm in Oklahoma City. This venture proved to be immensely successful, with the firm celebrating over 54 years of operation at the time of his passing. Through their firm, Tom and Dave designed HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical Systems for numerous commercial buildings throughout Oklahoma, leaving an indelible mark on the engineering landscape.  Tom was also a member of American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and American Consulting Engineers Council (ACEC) for many years. 

Although Tom was a driven professional, his true joy came from practicing his faith, spending time with his family, and inventing various useful items. He even obtained a patent on a plumbing product that he created. Tom and Jane have been members of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church for almost 60 years. During that time, he served on different committees and was a lector at Mass. He was a dedicated Little League baseball coach who wholeheartedly supported his son's passion for the sport. Additionally, one of his favorite recreational activities was taking his family to Lake Tenkiller for water skiing and fishing adventures. These treasurable moments created lifelong memories and showcased Tom's ability to find fulfillment in his faith, work, and family life.

Thomas is preceded in death by his daughter Teresa, but leaves behind a loving family that will forever cherish his memory. He is survived by his devoted wife Jane, three daughters Vicki Weissenborn (husband Paul), Pamela Snellings (husband Todd), Mary Baker (husband Phillip), one son Brian Determan (wife Jessica), and six grandchildren Matthew Weissenborn, Amy Weissenborn Gorter (husband Jake), Noah Baker, Nathan Baker, Ben Determan, and Scarlett Determan.

Thomas Determan will be remembered as an exceptional individual whose dedication to his profession and love for his faith and family enriched the lives of those around him. His unwavering commitment to excellence serves as an inspiration for future generations. We extend our deepest condolences to all who mourn the loss of this remarkable man. May his soul rest in eternal peace.