December 5, 1931 - February 18, 2025
A service celebrating the life of Thomas Nicholas Denker, Jr., 93, southeast of Enid, will be held at 10 am on Monday, February 24, at Bethlehem Baptist Church (66th & Longhorn—3 miles north of Pioneer School)—Pastor Tom Donaldson officiating. A family burial will follow at the Enid Cemetery Mausoleum. Services are under the direction of Anderson-Burris. Visitation will be held at Anderson-Burris Funeral Home on Sunday, February 23 from 4-5 pm.
Tom was born December 5, 1931, to Thomas Nicholas Denker and Beatrice Hawn Denker in Enid, Oklahoma, and passed away peacefully February 18, 2025, following a decline in health over the past few months.
He was raised on a farm southeast of Enid and attended school in the one-room Horner School where he had two classmates in his grade. In the eighth grade, he transferred to Longfellow Junior High so he could play football. He attended Enid High where he was in the Dukes Social Club. He spent many hours at Teen Town where, playing ping pong, he met Margaret Jane Morgan, who would become his wife a few years later. After graduation, he attended Oklahoma A&M College. He hitchhiked/caught rides home most weekends his freshman year to work on the farm and to see Jane. On May 31, 1950, he and Jane were married in Perry, Oklahoma, and soon after started their family, living near Enid in the summer and Stillwater while school was in session.
At A&M, Denker played intramural football and was named to the All-University team. He represented OAMC at a national crop judging contest in Chicago—winning first in judging incoming elevator grain and land judging; but only third overall. His castor bean article “There May Be Oil On Your Farm” for a national agronomy magazine also won first prize that year. In addition, he played the flute in OAMC’s Army ROTC Marching Band, and was in the Agronomy and Chess clubs. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. After college, he worked as office manager during the first harvest at the “new” Johnston Elevator, then went to work for the Social Security Administration in Enid as a claims rep. He enjoyed his travels around the NW Oklahoma county seats to see his clients. He also enjoyed being a part of the Jaycees and AMBUCS service clubs, as well as, Toastmasters, where the focus was on better communication. But his passion was farming and ranching. He enjoyed raising wheat, cattle, and for many years, sheep, on his farm which had been established by his father and grandfather. With his kids, he also raised greenhouse tomatoes for several years—and he never lost his love for them.
He loved his farms, but he found special enjoyment in coaching, sports, his children and grandchildren, and looking at pretty flowers. He was in his 30’s before he became a head coach in the YMCA and EJRT leagues. Once he started, he didn’t stop for years and years—he was 87 when he hung up his sneakers for good. He coached soccer, using weighted balls to make legs stronger; basketball in which he coached one fundamental after another; softball in which one of his former players said, “I have a lot of memories of him teaching we, the untalented, how to play softball”; and football where he introduced the world to the backwards facing pennyback. In 1999, he was honored with the YMCA Lifetime Achievement Award.
He never lost his enjoyment of sports. He helped weld the first backstop at Kellet Ball Park as part of a Jaycees project, was on a committee that started football at Pioneer, and would offer to help any athlete he thought could use his expertise. He coached/watched thousands of games and other events that involved his kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. You could often find Tom and Jane at Pioneer School and American Legion sporting events. He was a season ticket holder of OSU Football, and loved attending their games with other family members.
Tom is survived by his 6 children, Patty (Paul) Shepard of Moore, OK, Rick (Janet) Denker of Oklahoma City, Sally (Les) Clickner of Enid, Randy (Pam) Denker of Enid, David (Beth) Denker of Garland, TX, Tim Denker of Dallas, TX, along with 16 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and a host of extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by Jane, his wife of 68 years, his parents, and his siblings: Janice (Tom) Walker, Elaine (Howard) Anderson, and Rex Denker.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pioneer Academic Foundation or YMCA Back a Youth.
Thanks, Daddy, for always being there!
Condolences can be made to the family online at Andersonburris.com. Honored to be recognized nationally, the past 6 years, for the Pursuit of Excellence award. Because family matters, let us take care of yours. We are proud to own the only crematory in Garfield county and ensure your loved one receives the care and respect they deserve while never leaving our care. Visit 3002 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580) 233-2700.
