Thomas M. Kerrihard

Thomas M. Kerrihard passed away on July 28, 2020, one day after celebrating 63 years of marriage to his bride Donna. Tom was born in Red Oak, Iowa, to Judith and Maxwell Kerrihard on April 17, 1930. One of 5 kids, he grew up in Highland Park, Illinois, attending Highland Park High School and going on to graduate with a bachelor's degree from Illinois State University and a master's degree from the University of Illinois. He played football at Illinois State where he was part of the undefeated team that was later inducted into the Illinois State Football Hall of Fame. He went on to serve in the Army during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1953. Following the war, he moved to Carrolton, Illinois, where he became a high school science teacher and football coach. Tom met the love of his life on a double-date. He married Donna Jane McGuire in 1957. Shortly thereafter, Tom began a 40-year career with Merck and moved to Jacksonville, Illinois. In 1968, they moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was the proud father of four children who looked to him as the rock of the family. He loved each of them uniquely, providing life-long wisdom, support, and guidance.He was many things: son, brother, husband, dad, coach, friend, leader, mentor, teacher, financial advisor, and cheese-ball delivery driver. He and Donna curated a large and loving group of friends who enjoyed weekly dinners together. They were devoted members of the St. Francis of Assisi Parish family for more than 50 years. Tom was a friend of Bill W. for more than 40 years, attending regular weekly meetings, sponsoring other friends, and leading meetings at prisons. He was the longest volunteer at the Oklahoma City Intergroup.Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Judith and Maxwell Kerrihard, his brother, George, and his sisters, Marian and Kathryn. He is survived by his wife, Donna; his sister, Carolyn McDermott and husband Jim; children: Karen Schumacher and husband Steve of Oklahoma City, Kenny Kerrihard and wife Sherry of Edmond, Pam Sollars and husband Jonathan of Kansas City, Missouri, and Tim Kerrihard and wife Dana of Palmyra, New Jersey. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren, their spouses, and seven great-grandchildren who knew him as "Granddad the Great."He loved gathering his family around the table for a good meal, following the McGuinness Fighting Irish football team, a good round of golf, cheering for the Green Bay Packers, and growing beautiful roses in his garden. He was a rock for everyone who knew him. Tom leaves a legacy of kindness, service and integrity. He fought the good fight and "left it all on the playing field". This is not goodbye. As Dad would always say, "we will see you in a month of Sundays." He will be greatly missed.In lieu of flowers, the family would love contributions be made to the Forever McGuinness Annual Fund benefitting Bishop McGuinness High School (www.bmchs.org/support) or St. Francis of Assisi Church.