Tom Tipton Denton, 85, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2025, with his wife, Sarah, by his side. Funeral services will begin 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 27, 2025, at the Strode Funeral Home Chapel, Stillwater, Oklahoma with burial to follow at 2:00 p.m. in Memorial Park Cemetery, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.


Tom was born on June 4, 1940, to Christine Betts Denton and Tipton Hubbard Denton in Oklahoma City. He had a paternal twin, Dick, an older brother, Bob, and an older sister, Marjorie. Tom spent most of his childhood in Edmond, with his family moving to Norman prior to his junior year of high school, as his older brother, Bob, would be attending OU. The close-knit family had a home on Lahoma across from the university.


In 1958, Tom's senior year, Norman High School's baseball team won the state championship with Tom pitching a perfect game during the championship series, and Dick was behind the plate. The Norman Tiger's were undefeated that year as Tom pitched nine winning games. During the semi-finals, Tom won his own game in the third inning as he slugged a lone double to left centerfield to score two runs. Tom's favorite pitch was the dropping curve ball. Tom and Dick were named to the All-State baseball team and both received baseball scholarships to attend the University of Oklahoma. Tom went on to pitch in the minor leagues until he injured his arm.


Tom then served in the U.S. Army National Guard. Upon returning home he laid brick with his Dad on major construction projects. Every evening after work, he began apprenticing under Oklahoma University's Master glass blower from England and went on to have a long career as one of the nation's most talented Master research scientific glass blowers. He worked as a scientific glass blower for Continental Oil, Texas Instruments, Phillips 66, Oklahoma State University, and University of Wyoming. Upon retiring he returned to his land near Stillwater.


Tom was truly a Renaissance Man. He enjoyed training and trail riding his horse Twister across Oklahoma's mountains and prairies and was a favorite at the campfire with his quick wit. He enjoyed quick draw shooting, hunting, golf and taking care of his land. Tom and his wife Sarah lived a joyous life for 40 years. Both avid dancers, they were selected to dance at the Presidential Committee for the ADA at the Cowboy Hall of Fame. One year they even paid Sarah's college tuition from their dance contest winnings. Another of Tom's favorite pastime was to play golf with his stepsons, Ty and Val, and he helped instill his love of golf in his step-grandson, Wesley. Tom truly was a Christian by faith.


Tom is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Robert Wayne Denton and wife, Dona, of Panama City, FL, his brother Dick Hubbard Denton of Anchorage, AK, his sister Marjorie Rinehart and husband, Ed, of Laramie, WY, his nephew Chad Wayne Denton of Panama City, FL, and his niece Amy Denton Hoge of Anchorage, AK.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years Sarah Gladden Denton of Stillwater, his sons Todd Tipton Denton and Mickey Wayne Denton of Oklahoma, his niece Sherri Denton Mallory and husband, The Honorable Peter A. Mallory of Panama City Beach, FL, his step-son Val Joe Gladden and wife, Shelley, of Stillwater, his step-son Ty Gladden of Ben Wheeler, TX, and his sister-in-law Marilyn Denton of Anchorage, AK. He is also survived by his grandniece, Mimi Mallory of Dallas, TX, step-grandson Wesley Gladden of Stillwater, step-granddaughter, Codee Gladden of Ben Wheeler, TX, and other nieces and nephews.


The family wishes to thank Tom's special care giver Lisa Shrum and Karman Legacy Hospice.