Thomas Brooks Townley

Thomas Brooks Townley (Tom) died Augu.st 4, 2026 at Santa Monica Health Center following complications of a stroke. Tom was born in Oklahoma City December 23, 1947 and was the son of Robert C. Townley and Mary Rebecca Townley.

Tom graduated in the class of 1966 from Harding High School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was a success in the classroom and in several sports. Football was his favorite. A knee injury cut short his football career, but his genial humor and his developing "people skills" from those high school years served him well in making strong lifelong friendships on and off the field. Deciding not to pursue football in college due to his knee injury he did follow his quarterback to Yale University where he graduated with a degree in Behavior Sciences. Tom continued his education at UCLA and attained a Masters Degree in Business.

Tom started his work career with his family's business, Townley's Dairy Co., as a retail route salesman, managing somehow to get up at 4:00 a.m. Working with the dairy through high school and undergraduate college years he continued to learn how to connect with people. He was very entertaining to be around. After college he spent over 30 years with Coldwell Banker as personnel manager in their commercial real estate division, during which time he became expert in real estate compensation matters. Upon retirement he consulted with real estate industry clients on executive compensation issues.

Tom enjoyed playing golf (don't stand behind him) and played until his knee conditions kept him from playing like he wanted. As well as golf, Tom developed an avid interest in first generation Thunderbird cars (the Baby Birds). Tom had a small "fleet" and really enjoyed driving through Beverly Hills along Rodeo Drive on the weekends to showcase them. People loved seeing them!

In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his brother Robert C. Townley Jr. of Sao Paulo, Brazil. He is survived by his brother Guy M. Townley (Sally) of Oklahoma City and his sister Molly Pezold of Tulsa. Tom is also survived by his nieces Lacy Dattala (Robert) and their children Tommy and Zach of Tulsa; Kate Smith (Steve) and their son Eli of Acworth, GA; and Jennifer Dunham (Marc) and their children Olivia, Emily and Claire of Oklahoma City as well as nephews Alex Pezold(Stacey) and their children Ava, of Oklahoma City and Aidan of San Diego; and Peter Townley(Chelsi)and their children Georgia and Brooksie of Daytona Beach, FL and his children Molly, Nathan and Ozzy of Lawrence, KS.

Tom will be greatly missed by his many friends including Lyle Dawn and Cynthia McGranahan of Los Angeles and Don Simpkin of Downey, CA.

In lieu of flowers, Tom would be honored by donations made to a favorite charity researching cancer or heart diseases.