Thomas Harrison Pike

Funeral services for Thomas Harrison Pike, of Garvin, Okla., were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 16, 2022 at Miller & Miller Funeral Home. Tom Pike, 71, went to be with the Lord on June 14, 2022 while in the hospital in Paris, where he was being treated for pneumonia.

Tom was a graduate of Baylor University. He was an excellent chemist, an educator and a writer. He recently completed the publication of a book entitled “Forgotten Promises,” an account of the Choctaw Tribe’s journey over the Trail of Tears during the 1830s.

He was the middle son of R.D. and Dora Pike of Broken Bow. He was married for 49 years to Julie Simpson, daughter of Clarence and Almeda Simpson. Tom and Julie made their home near Millerton, and raised one son, Thomas, who played professional baseball, became a teacher and is now a radiology technician in Paris, Texas.

Tom was inducted into the most elite organization of professional chemists, limited to a membership of 100 members, who have been recognized for their research accomplishments and scientific publications. He was the plant chemist at the electric utility power plant in Fort Towson for more than 30 years before his retirement. Tom was also a Sunday School Superintendent for 14 years at First Assembly of God in Valliant. During his retirement years, he and Julie enjoyed many visits and outings with his only grandson, Gavin. He and Gavin especially enjoyed hiking, canoeing and swimming.

He is survived by his wife, Julie; his son, Thomas and his wife; a grandson; one sister; his 95-year-old aunt; brother, Mark Simpson and wife; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Interment followed the service at Wheelock Cemetery with Bro. Stephen McCleskey and B.J. Eckerd officiating, under the direction of Miller & Miller Funeral Home.

Tom was not a tribal member, but he will be remembered by the Choctaws as a hatak achukma, or “good man.”