Thomas "Tom" Herndon

Surrounded by his loving family, Thomas Herndon, born in Tulsa, OK on January 22nd, 1922, passed away peacefully at home on July 31st, 2016 at the ripe old age of 94. He was educated in the Tulsa Public Schools, made Eagle Scout and graduated from Tulsa Central High School in 1939. Tom attended Princeton University where he won writing prizes, was featured in the Nassau Literary Magazine, and graduated with a degree in English. During WWII, as part of "the Greatest Generation", he entered the Army in February, 1943. After taking proficiency exams, he was assigned to Military Government training at the University of Wyoming. In May, 1944, due to European battle reverses, this program was disbanded and all participants were transferred to the 97th Infantry Division. He was selected for Infantry O.C.S., commissioned and chosen to receive Regimental Communications Officer training at Fort Benning, GA. As an officer, he trained troops at Camp Croft (S.C.) to serve in "commo" units, and in August,1945 was assigned to the 34th Infantry Regiment Headquarters Company as its Communications Officer. Following the dropping of the atomic bomb, 1st Lieutenant Thomas Herndon led 250 troops to survey the destruction in Nagasaki, Japan and to rebuild the country's communications systems. Following his military discharge, he met and married the love of his life, Jane Coulter of Tulsa in 1950. (Coincidentally, Jane's father Dr. T.B. Coulter was the physician who delivered Tom into the world in 1922.) They moved to Michigan where Tom attended the University of Michigan, graduating with an MS in Geology cum Sigma Gamma Epsilon, for scholastic achievement. Tom then joined Continental Oil Company and moved the family to Casper, Wyoming. In 1956, Tom joined Apache Oil Company and he and Jane moved back to Tulsa permanently. After several years with Apache Oil, Co., he joined Doyle Cotton in launching the Cotton Petroleum Company as Exploration Manager. Then, in 1973 Tom became an independent geologist, forming Tom Herndon Oil Company. During his career, Tom was a member of the AAPG, was editor of the Tulsa Geological Society, and directed the compilation of the 300-page Simpson Symposium. In addition to geology and literature, Tom enjoyed listening to classical music, playing chess, restoring farmhouses, ranching and traveling with Jane. In their 66 years of marriage, Tom and Jane visited 5 continents together. Still, their favorite moments were all the times spent together with family. Tom was predeceased by his sister Gertrude Martin and younger brother Chesley. Beloved daughter Elizabeth passed away in 1974, and granddaughter Anna Jane Davis passed away February 20th, 2016. In addition to Jane, Tom is survived by his sister Frances Chandler, daughters Mary Davis and Carol Klenda (Tom) of Tulsa, and Julia Reynolds (Steve) of Newtown, PA, 8 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, sister in-law Roseann Herndon of OKC, and beloved nieces and nephews. A private memorial service will be held at Tulsa Memorial Park Cemetery chapel on Saturday at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to The Boy Scouts Resource Center, 4295 So. Garnett Rd, Tulsa, OK 74146 or you can donate online at www.bsagiftplan.org or call 918-743-6125. Please view and sign the online guestbook through www.legacy.com/TulsaWorld. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com

Thomas "Tom" Herndon

January 22, 1922 - July 31, 2016