Tom Birkes

?? Tom Birkes, 89, Kingfisher, passed away in the early morning hours of Jan. 28, 2019, at Mercy Hospice.

Tom was born May 18, 1929, in Tulsa Oklahoma to Mattie and Fred Birkes.

Tom grew up in Dover. He was a 1947 graduate of Dover High School and a 1953 graduate of Oklahoma A & M (now Oklahoma State University) with a degree in agriculture.

He was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. During his senior year, he was part of a four-member team which won the national meat judging championship.

Tom served two years in the U.S. Army.

Tom married Mary Ann Proctor in 1952 and they were married for 63 years before she passed in 2015.

Tom spent his career in agriculture as a cattle buyer and commodities trader.

He lived in Iowa and returned to Kingfisher where he lived for over 50 years.

He was active in the community, (known for his barbecue expertise) and was a 32nd degree Mason.

His passion was OSU as he and Ann were proud members of the Posse Club and avid followers of all OSU sports.

Tom is survived by two brothers-in-law and sisters-in-laws, and nieces and nephews. He is also survived by a host of friends whose children and grandchildren lovingly thought of Tom as a second father and grandfather.

He was predeceased by his parents, his wife Mary Ann Birkes and his aunts Goldie and Jimalou Smith.

A celebration of Tom’s Life will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Federated Church in Kingfisher.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Tom’s honor be made to the Federated Church.