Gary Shane Gore
Salathiel (Tom) Lovelace was born February 24, 1930, in Yeager, Oklahoma, to Francis Almontie and Rev William Cary Lovelace.
As a child, Tom lived in several locations in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Texas, where his father served as pastor. Active in sports, he graduated from Holdenville High School in 1949 and won an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point where he played on the football team. He later attended Oklahoma University and earned a Master’s Degree from Oklahoma State University.
Tom was a civilian employee at Tinker Air Force Base when he met the love of his life, the beautiful young Marie Henderson. They married on May 30, 1953, and later that same year Tom accepted a commission as an officer in the US Army. Tom served at Army Posts across the globe, including two tours in Germany, one in South Korea, and one in Vietnam. His last position before he retired from the Army in 1973 was as Army Advisor to the Minnesota National Guard, in Anoka, Minnesota, where his three oldest children met their spouses.
Tom then had a full second career with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, serving in various positions including Deputy Warden at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester; and later as the Chief of Security/Inspector General/ Chief of Staff for the Oklahoma D.O.C. until he retired for the second time in 1994.
Throughout his life Tom was devoted to his Lord, his wife Marie, their five children, his 19 grandchildren, 35 greatgrandchildren and many greatgreat grandchildren, all of whom looked up to him as a man of wisdom and strength. He was immensely proud of them and set an outstanding example for them through his many acts of kindness and charity and his regular attendance at church. A long-time member of Southern Hills Baptist Church, he served in a number of leadership roles in his Sunday School class. He and Marie also opened their home for small group Bible study.
Tom was preceded in death by Marie, his wife of over 68 years; granddaughter Marie Gladwell; grandson Tom Lovelace; great-grandson James Morgan; four brothers, one sister, and his parents. He is survived by one brother, Colonel Cary Aldis Lovelace and his wife Merline of Oklahoma City; his much loved children Dr. Larry Lovelace and his wife Robin of Oklahoma City; Caren Fichtel and her husband Mike of Norman; Melissa Morgan and her husband Mark of Rogers, Arkansas; Dr. David Lovelace and his wife Tammie of Durant; and Retired Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Brad Lovelace and his wife Athena of Oklahoma City; in addition to their children and grandchildren.
He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. In the hearts of his family and friends, Tom will always be remembered as in Luke 6:45: A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, you consider making a donation in Tom’s name to one of his favorite charities, The Jesus House in Oklahoma City. If you wish to donate, you can use this link <https://jesushouseokc.org/ donate/> Family Visitation will be 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at Vondel Smith Southlakes, 4000 SW 119th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73170.
Funeral service will be 10:00 AM Thursday, January 2nd, at Southern Hills Baptist Church, 8601 S Pennsylvania, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73159. Graveside service and committal will be 2:00 PM Thursday, January 23, 2025 at Holdenville Cemetery, Holdenville, Oklahoma. Services are under the direction of Hudson Phillips Funeral Service, Holdenville, Oklahoma.