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Tom Ray Merklin, 75-year-old Woodward resident, passed away as a result of cardiac arrest at his home in Woodward on Monday, May 10, 2021. A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 17th at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Woodward. Visitation will be at the Billings Funeral Home on Sunday, May 16, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Tom was born July 14, 1945 to H.E. and Julia Lee (Nelson) Merklin in Mooreland, OK. Raised on the Merklin farm at Moscow Flats, Tom attended school at Mutual and then Mooreland, graduating from Mooreland High School in 1963. While in school, Tom was active in football, basketball, and FFA. Tom's FFA livestock judging team at Mooreland High School placed 1st in the American National Livestock Show in 1963, and he was honored as the high-point person in the competition. After high school, Tom attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University, but in 1966 he left college to enlist in the U.S. Army, where he served as a supply sergeant at Fort Polk during the Vietnam War.
In 1968, Tom married Roxy Ann Ganes and returned to Northwestern so that Tom could complete his B.A. degree in education. He began his teaching career at Woodward Junior High, where he taught civics and coached football and basketball. During this time, Tom began raising Angus cattle on the Merklin farm, which, in addition to OSU sports, became one of his lifelong passions. In 1980, Tom decided to pursue a career in the oilfield and purchased part of a waterline company, Well Site Rental, where he worked until 2000. After selling his share in the company, Tom became a consultant for EOG until his retirement in 2016.
Tom enjoyed quail hunting, fishing in Yellowstone Lake, and traveling to the mountains with family and friends. One of his favorite pasttimes was relaxing and visiting with his friends at "The Garden" behind his home, where few vegetables were planted but many memories were made. Tom especially cherished time spent with his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. He and his granddaughter Avery shared a love of animals and spent many happy hours together working and feeding his cows. Tom and his grandson Alex shared a love for sports, and Tom taught Alex how to shoot a basketball and throw a football, and he passed to Alex his amazing sports trivia memory, as both of them could recall every player and his/her statistics. Tom was a lifelong, avid college sports fan, most especially for OSU sports. His absolute favorite time of year was March Madness! He and his family followed Cowboy football and basketball throughout the United States, from New York to Hawaii. For those planning to attend his memorial service on Monday, the family requests that if you have any orange apparel in your closet, please wear it.
Tom is survived by his wife Roxy of 53 years; one daughter Shea Lee (Merklin) Adamson, his son-in-law Jamie Adamson, grandchildren Avery Grace Adamson (15) and Alex Michael Adamson (10), all of Oklahoma City; one brother Eldon Merklin and wife Janet of Mooreland; one sister Marilyn Blevins and husband Rex of Tulsa; one sister-in-law Debby Stine of Woodward; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends whom he considered family.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents H.E. and Julia Merklin; his father- and mother-in-law Clay and Thelma Ganes; and his brother-in-law Greg Ganes.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in honor and memory of Tom be made to the Woodward Education Foundation or the Woodward FFA with Billings Funeral Home accepting the contributions. At Tom's request, his family will scatter his ashes in Yellowstone National Park, always a very special place for him throughout his entire life.
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