John Arthur 'Jack O'Toole' O'Toole

John Arthur O'Toole, known as Jack or JA to his friends, was born to John and Ernestine O'Toole on October 13, 1924 in St. Paul, Minnesota. He passed away on Friday, December 6, 2013, in Oklahoma City, OK surrounded by his family. He grew up in Duluth, Minnesota and was a talented athlete participating in soccer and basketball. His high school basketball team played in the finals of the National Catholic High School Tournament in Washington, D.C. He was a Naval Aviator in World War II serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Antietam at the time of the Japanese capitulation in 1945. After the war, he eventually moved his family to Tulsa, Oklahoma where he worked for American Airlines, and later Farmers and Kemper Insurance Companies as an insurance adjustor during the day while attending The University of Tulsa in the evening. He graduated from Tulsa University in 1951 and the School of Law in 1953 with his Juris Doctorate. In 1955, after passing the Oklahoma Bar, he moved his family to Oklahoma City and began his 50 year career of practicing law. He was an accomplished trial attorney who traveled the state of Oklahoma successfully trying law suits in both state and federal courthouses. His legal career included serving as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for civil matters with the Small Business Administration for 11 years. Jack's real passions were flying, golf and family. He and his wife of 68 years, Pat, played countless hours of couple's golf together as well as teaching the game to their children and grandchildren. Golf was much more than a game to Jack. He truly believed it taught you lessons about yourself and about life. He was a founding partner of the Surrey Hills Golf Club in the 1960's. He also served as the President of Twin Hills Golf and Country Club, Christ the King PTA, and Bishop McGuinness High School Booster Club. Jack was a friend of Bill W.'s for the last twenty-nine (29) years of his life. He was a Christian who was a member of the Catholic faith. He had a quiet manner about his faith and truly believed that the best expression of your faith was to quietly go about your life treating others like you would want to be treated. He was a living, practicing example of the Golden Rule as evidenced in the quiet loving way he would counsel his children and grandchildren, family and friends as they progressed through life. Jack and Pat were and are a true example of unconditional love for family and friends having supported all through countless deeds of simple kindness. No matter the subject or result of the conversation, no visit to their home was complete without him walking you to your car and telling you to take care and comeback soon. Jack was preceded in death by his parents John and Ernestine O'Toole and his sisters Rita Rookey and Patricia Jane Zaikis. He is survived by his wife, Patricia J. O'Toole; his five children Sharon Currie and husband Wayne of Gardnerville , NV, Tim O'Toole and wife Kathleen of Oklahoma City, OK, Terry O'Toole and Catherine Ryan of Oklahoma City, OK, Daniel O'Toole and Ruthie Turner of Ft. Worth TX, and Debra Cox and husband Michael of Oklahoma City, OK. He will also be fondly remembered by his eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank the many caregivers who cared for and looked after Jack in his later years. Funeral services will be held Monday, December 9, 2013 at 3 p.m. at Smith & Kernke N. May Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be made to The First Tee of Oklahoma City or the Western Foundation.