Thomas Charles “Tom” Benefiel

Thomas Charles “Tom” Benefiel was born May 7, 1944 to Ted & Pauline Benefiel in Enid, Oklahoma where he joined his older sister, Sarah Kay. He passed at the age of 74 on March 24, 2019. His family lived in Enid until Tom started high school, at which time his parents purchased the local Ford Dealership in Okeene, Oklahoma and moved the family to Okeene. After high school graduation in 1962 Tom ventured off to the University of Oklahoma, where he pledged and was actively involved in his fraternity, Sigma Nu. He graduated from OU in January of 1967.

After graduating from OU Tom was employed by General Electric Credit and spent the next year working in Oklahoma City, Dallas, and Wichita Falls before entering the automobile business with his father in 1968. Together they owned Benefiel Ford of Purcell, Oklahoma. Tom and his dad also shared a love of boating, and purchased a boat, “The Family Jewel” (with 3 more to follow), which provided them years of shared family time on Lake Texoma. Tom was a member of the Lions Club in his early years in Purcell and was elected President of the Ford Dealers Advertising Fund, serving for one year. His sons, Bryan and Jason, were born in Purcell.

Tom married the love of his life, Helen Mitchell, in 1984 and gained a daughter, Julie. Together he and Helen opened a Hallmark store in Purcell: “Expressions by Helen”. Tom and Helen moved to Norman, Oklahoma in 1996 after all of their children had graduated from Purcell High School, and in 2012 they built a home in Moore, Oklahoma.

After over 26 years in the Ford business, Tom went to work for Langley Management Company in the personal finance industry. He remained there over 21 years until his retirement in 2013.

Tom was a past member and Deacon of Trinity Methodist Church in Purcell and was a current member and past elder of the First Christian Church in Norman. He enjoyed playing golf at the Trails Golf Club in Norman with his friends and was always taking up a new hobby-whether it be kayaking, bike riding, playing pickle ball, snow skiing, scuba diving, zip lining, or snorkeling; he lived for adventure! Taking care of his yard was one of his favorite things to do.

Tom is survived by his wife Helen, son Bryan Benefiel (wife Stacey) and grandchildren Ravyn, Gabby, Peach, and Zack of Peachtree City, Georgia; son Jason Benefiel (wife Cassie) and granddaughter Hope of Purcell; and daughter Julie Ellis (husband Allen), granddaughter Brynn, and grandson Kellan of Oklahoma City; sister Sarah McGreevy (husband Frank) of McKinney, Texas; nephews Tod McGreevy (wife Margaret) and Jon McGreevy, both of McKinney, and John Smithson (wife Jenny) of Enid, Oklahoma; and his dog, Bailey Bear.

Contributions in Tom’s memory may be made to First Christian Church, Norman (www.fccnorman.org) or to Second Chance Animal Sanctuary (www.secondchancenorman.com).

Services to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, April 1st at First Christian Church, Norman (220 S. Webster).