Dr. Tom Jay Love Jr.

Dr. Tom J. Love, Jr., beloved father, grandfather, OU professor and friend, passed away November 16, 2022, at the age of 99. Tom was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas. After graduating from Jonesboro High, Tom attended Arkansas State College. However, WWII interrupted his studies. In 1943, Tom joined the Army Air Corps, was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and awarded his wings as a P-38 pilot flying photo reconnaissance. When Tom was rewarded for being at the top of his class with the opportunity to fly his plane anywhere in the U.S., he chose to go home to Jonesboro. After the Japanese surrender, Tom returned to civilian life and continued his education at The University of Oklahoma. However, he never lost his love of flying and returned to the skies later in life when he joined a flying club. Eventually, he was able to become the proud co-owner of a Cherokee Piper Arrow and his family began to wonder about all those impossible things that would magically happen “when Daddy got his airplane.”

In 1945, Tom married the first love of his life, Georgia Lee Mathis, in Oklahoma City. They had 3 children. Tom and Georgia loved each other throughout 50 years of marriage until Georgia passed away in 1996. Tom balanced family, work and his education in Mechanical Engineering, earning his B.S. from the University of Oklahoma in 1948 and his M.S. from the University of Kansas in 1956. After being awarded a National Science Foundation Grant, Tom was able to pursue and receive his Ph.D. from Purdue University in 1963.

After graduating from O.U., Tom worked as a Project Engineer at Colgate Palmolive (Kansas City, KS) and as a Senior Research Engineer at Midwest Research Institute (Kansas City, KS) before turning to his true calling - teaching. In the fall of 1956, Tom returned to Oklahoma and became a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Oklahoma. Tom’s passion for teaching and research, propelled him up the ranks of academia. He was awarded the Halliburton Professorship of Engineering in 1972, the George Lynn Cross Research Professorship in 1973, the George Lynn Cross Research Professor Emeritus of Aerospace, Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering in 1988 and Halliburton Professor Emeritus of Engineering in 1988. Tom also served as Director of the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering at O.U. from 1963-72. When he stepped down to become a National Cancer Institute Special Fellow at the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center and continue his research into the use of thermography in detecting breast cancer. He developed the AMNE thermography laboratory and joined with Dr. Joanne Haberman, and Dr. John Francis to organize mobile breast cancer screening laboratories in the Midwest. Tom became an Adjunct Professor of Radiological Sciences (Thermography) at the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center (1970-80). In 1986-87, Tom was called on to serve as the Interim Dean of the College of Engineering. The Outstanding Faculty Achievement in Teaching award was presented to him in 1986. Dr. Love retired from the University of Oklahoma in December, 1987. In 1988, he received the Distinguished Service Citation, the highest honor presented by the University of Oklahoma. Tom also received the Distinguished Alumni Award from O.U.’s College of Engineering in 1991.

Love served on the Faculty Senate, becoming the chairman in 1984-85. Tom wrote the definitive graduate level text on Radiative Heat Transfer, as well as publishing and authoring or co-authoring many papers and journal articles. He received a multitude of honors and awards. Just a few of which were AIAA Thermophysics Award (1984), ASME Memorial Heat Transfer Award (1989), Outstanding Educator of America (1972), Who’s Who in America (1972-73), College of Engineering Award for Outstanding Faculty Achievement in Teaching (1986), and the AAHE Award for Educational Leadership (1986). Dr. Love was a member of many Scientific and professional societies. Some of these were Sigma Xi, Tau Beta Phi, Pi Tau Sigma, Sigma Gamma Tau, Pi Mu Epsilon, Oklahoma Society of Professional Engineers, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (Fellow), American Society of Mechanical Engineering (Fellow), American Academy of Thermology, and American Society for Engineering Education, etc. Tom also held many offices in these organizations.

In addition to his professional life, Tom also served his community in many ways. As an active member of McFarlin United Methodist Church, he was asked to be a founding member of St. Stephens’ United Methodist Church in Norman. Many years later returning to McFarlin. Tom also served on the Board of Directors of Local Federal Savings and Loan and the Board of Directors of Sverdrup-ARO, Inc.

Tom was an accomplished artist and painter. Delighting his many family and friends with his paintings and sketches. He particularly enjoyed painting a special picture every year to be printed and mailed out as Christmas cards to his family, friends and colleagues.

At the age of 79, Tom married the second love of his life, Betty Lou Oliver. They enjoyed 16 years together until Betty passed away in 2019.

Tom is survived by his son, Tom J. Love III, and wife Janet; his daughter, Nancy Vanden Bos, and husband Mike; his granddaughter, Grace Beeson, and husband Jerod; his son-in-law, Neil Hamilton, and wife Andi; grandchildren, JR Hamilton and his partner Katie Buck, and Zoe Hamilton; his sister, Martha Faulkner, along with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren; his step-son, James (Jim) Oliver and wife Polly; step-daughter, Susan Sipe; step-son, Charles Oliver, and wife Julie; Step-grandchildren Ben Ellison and wife Maya; Chris Sipe and wife Alx; Katie Sipe; Gina Agnew and husband Rob; Todd Oliver and wife Daniela; Eric Oliver and wife Amber; Michael Oliver and wife Kaley; Shelby Oliver and nine step great grandchildren. Tom was preceded in death by his first wife, Georgia; his second wife, Betty; his daughter, Deborah Hamilton; his step-daughter, Mary Ann Ellison; and his parents, Tom J. Love Sr. and Tomezine Love.

A viewing for Tom will be held Tuesday, November 22, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Primrose Funeral Service, 1109 North Porter Ave, Norman, OK 73071. A graveside service will occur Tuesday, November 22, 2022 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Norman IOOF Cemetery, 1313 N. Porter Ave, Norman, OK 73071. A celebration of life will occur Tuesday, November 22, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church, 419 S. University Blvd, Norman, OK 73069. In lieu of Flowers the family has asked that donations be made to McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church in Tom's name.

Serving as pallbearers are Billy Crynes, Phil Fenn, Jerod Beeson, Mike Vanden Bos, Tom J. Love III, Neil Hamilton, James (Jim) Oliver and Larry Woodward.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.primrosefuneralservice.com for the Love family.