R. Thomas Lay

R. Thomas Lay, age 67, of Oklahoma City OK, was born on November 4, 1948, in Nowata, OK. He was the son of Raymond W. & Kathryn Marie (Graves) Lay. After a lengthy illness, he left this life on Wednesday, September 21, 2016, in Oklahoma City, OK. Tom graduated from Putnam City High School in 1966, Oklahoma State University (B.S., 1970) and the Oklahoma City University School of Law (J.D., 1973). He was admitted to the Oklahoma bar in 1973. He was Assistant Municipal Counselor, City of Oklahoma City, 1973-1976; Assistant Attorney General, State of Oklahoma, 1976-1979; General Counsel, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, 1979-1985; Adjunct Professor, 'Environmental Law, ' Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma City Branch and private practice with Kerr, Irvine, Rhodes & Ables. Tom was admitted to practice before the Oklahoma Supreme Court; United States District Courts for the Western and Eastern Districts of Oklahoma and the United States Supreme Court. He was a member of the American Bar Association, Oklahoma Bar Association, Oklahoma County Bar Association, Agriculture Law Association, Oklahoma Association of Municipal Attorneys, Oklahoma State University Alumni Association, Environmental Federation of Oklahoma and the Phi Delta Phi Fraternity. He received the Governor's Water Pioneer Award in 2011. Tom married Kate Castle Mackey on June 12, 1976, in Philadelphia, Mississippi. He was proud to be a member of the Cherokee Nation. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law, Suzanne Carpenter. Survivors include his wife, Kate Lay, Oklahoma City, OK; sister & brother-in-law, Linda & Michael Carpenter, Arlington, TX; Kate's family: Nancy & Richard Wasson, R.C. & Maxine Mackey, Mike Carpenter and many more loving family members and friends. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation for Pulmonary Research to Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 NE 13th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73104-9930 Memorial services will be 11:00 AM, Saturday, October 1, 2016, at the All Souls Episcopal Church, Oklahoma City, OK. Arrangements made with Smith~Parks Funeral Service in Harrah, OK.