Terrell W Driskill

TERRELL W. DRISKILL (11/29/1935 - 6/26/2025) To all his family and friends, he was just “Toar,” but his actual name was Terrell Woodlief Driskill, a big name for someone of short stature, but of big personality and character. No one remembers how he got that nickname as a baby, born 89 years ago (November 29, 1935) in the little southwest town of Hollis, Oklahoma. His parents, Thomas Woodlief Driskill (“Woody”) and Murl Chisum Driskill, were the owners of the local Nu-Way Cleaners and doted on him as he was the only son and the baby of the family. He had two older sisters, Harriette and Carol, both now deceased – as are Toar’s parents.

Toar had an idyllic childhood in Hollis, with his pet goat pulling him around in his cart, later riding his minibike, and many hours spent with his boyhood friends digging tunnels all over the neighborhood, some tunnels collapsing in strange places. He got stuck with still another nickname (affectionately), the “Gremlin,” by all the girls in his high school class because of his love of playing tricks and jokes on everyone. His love of playing jokes continued throughout his life, sometimes getting him in hot water with co-workers at W & W Steel Co. In high school, he and his best – and lifelong – friend, Tommy, had matching Plymouths, although Tommy’s, a blue and white one with a continental kit, was spiffier than Toar’s yellow and white Plymouth. And despite his small stature, he was an outstanding high school athlete, quarterbacking the football team and lettering in both football and basketball. His athleticism continued the rest of his life, with his skiing exploits in Aspen (dubbed by his ski buddies as the “Red Bullet) and winning racketball tournaments.

It was in high school that he first noticed a dark-eyed, dark-haired girl doing a back flip at the swimming pool – and the rest is history. He married that girl, Linda Robinson, and they were married nearly 70 years, until his death. After both graduated from OU, they moved to OKC, where Toar continued his long career with W & W Steel Co. They had three sons: Kevin, Christopher, and Matthew. Son Kevin Driskill of OKC predeceased Toar and Linda, leaving his wife, Catherine, and their sons, John and David. Son Chris and wife, Carla, of OKC have children Caitlyn, Carly, and Cooper. Son Matthew and his wife, Emmanuelle, of Phnom Pehn, Cambodia, have one son, Louis.

Toar’s focus all his life was the three “F’s”: Family, Friends, and Faith. Well, and of course, “FUN.” Thus, Toar’s family, especially his six grandchildren, John, David, Caitlyn, Carly, Cooper, and Louis, were the light of his life – and they were crazy about him, too. He was such a fun Grandad. He wouldn’t miss an athletic game, a piano recital, a ballet recital, an award ceremony, a graduation, or any other event of a child or grandchild.

As to Friends, Toar was blessed with so many beloved friends. At OU, he had pledged Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and made many friendships which lasted throughout his life. Some of those Brothers formed a poker club in college, which lasted for long over 50 years, the “Wagadab” Club, composed of the members’ last names, playing faithfully once a month with traveling dinners to members’ homes. Many of those friends formed the core of annual ski trips to Aspen, Vail, and Crested Butte, sometimes packed into a condo at Aspen, their favorite ski destination. Those friends traveled with Toar and Linda on cruises, trips to Europe, Santa Fe, and Padre Island and on quail hunts, staying in Hollis with Toar’s parents so they could enjoy Toar’s mom’s homemade biscuits, ham, and red-eye gravy, with contests on who could eat the most biscuits. Until Toar’s health interfered, he also went to Hollis to hunt with his lifelong friend, Tommy, at Thanksgiving, often taking his sons and grandchildren. Toar loved to bag enough quail for the big traditional Christmas brunch at which all the grandchildren helped to cook.

As to one of the F’s, his faith was so important to him. Growing up a Baptist, he spent many summers at Falls Creek, but after marrying Linda, a lifelong Methodist, he became a staunch Methodist, out-Methodisting the Methodists, serving 63 years in many capacities at May Avenue Methodist Church, now Cornerstone United Methodist Church, in OKC, including church finances, lay leadership, and building the church gym. He came by his financial acumen naturally, having graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Business degree in 1959. In fact, his whole career centered on finance, becoming a Credit Manager and Vice President of W & W Steel Company of OKC, a job that spanned well over 50 years. He was also a proud member of the Stockyards Lions Club, serving as President.

A Celebration of Toar’s life is scheduled for Friday, July 11, 2025, at 1:30 pm at Cornerstone Methodist Church, 2604 North May Avenue, Oklahoma City. All family and friends are invited. A private burial at Rose Hill Cemetery, OKC, will precede the Celebration of Life.