Thomas D. Stanfill

Tom Stanfill was born in Farmville, Virginia to Howard and Olive (Hill) Stanfill on May 25, 1943. He passed away on July 4, 2017. Tom was always a public servant, a helper of others, and a patriot who was devoted to the military and served as a Green Beret. He was an avid OU football fan and loved both car- and horse-racing. His passions were juvenile justice, sound politics, voters' rights, and good government. Tom graduated from John Marshall High School in Oklahoma City and the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond where he majored in history, sociology, and business. He began his work life at the Oklahoma County Juvenile Court as a caseworker. He was later approved by the Oklahoma Legislature to serve as the director of the Juvenile Court at the age of 29. This role included the management of Berry House Juvenile Center. Tom worked tirelessly to improve the juvenile justice system to positively affect the lives of the youth it served. He won the "Liberty Bell" award from the Oklahoma County Bar Association for his efforts in juvenile justice. In 1982, Tom began working for the Oklahoma State Senate in the area of county law and dedicated himself to the coordination and oversight of the committees that put into place reforms that dealt with the county commissioner scandals of the time. At the same time, he became the assistant secretary of the Oklahoma Election Board, where he worked to improve county law and election practices that are still in effect today. As time went on, Tom became the director of the Oklahoma State Senate Staff and served in that capacity for 20 years. Tom is survived by his loving wife, Kay, of 52 years and best friend since the seventh grade. He was preceded in death by his son Gregory, his parents and his beloved canine companion, Luci. He is also survived by his sisters-and brothers-in-law Jane and Kirk DeShazo, and Mike and Suzie Mnich; cousin, Joe Barker; and nieces and nephews Connie and Gene Napier, Tom and Diney Mnich, Katie and Steve Snyder, David and Tracy DeShazo, and Julie and Jeff Cole. A memorial service honoring Tom's life will be held on Tuesday, July 18, 2017, at 2 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, 127 NW 7th Street, Oklahoma City. Memorials in Tom's name may be made to the St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral or the Oklahoma Regional Food Bank.