Elmwood Cemetery

Woodward, Woodward County, Oklahoma

© Billings Funeral Home
Submitted by: Terry Dudley

Terry Michael "Mike" Upchurch

March 4, 1940 ~ January 24, 2021

Terry Micheal "Mike" Upchurch passed away peacefully surrounded by family at his home in Woodward, Oklahoma on April 14th, 2023. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am Tuesday, April 18, 2023 in the First United Methodist Church. Interment will follow in Elmwood Cemetery with the Billings Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

A loving husband, father, son, and friend, Mike was born on June 1st, 1952 to Lee Thomas "Tom" and Bennie "Ruth" (Garton) Upchurch while his father was stationed in Colorado Springs, CO. At the age of four, Mike moved with his family to Woodward, OK where his father worked as both a teacher and administrator in the Woodward school system, and his mother enjoyed keeping the home. In the next few years, Mike welcomed a brother, Mark, and two sisters, Karen and Karla, to the family, and they set out on a course bound for memories. The six of them enjoyed traveling across America in their Pontiac Bonneville, camping in tents, and supporting one another's athletic endeavors. Memories of the six of them smashed into that car driving hundreds of miles together is the blueprint of Mike's childhood.

Mike also met most of his closest friends while growing up in Woodward and has nurtured his relationships with them ever since. After graduating from Woodward High School in 1970, Mike attended Southwestern State University in Weatherford where he was a member of the Sigma Ta Gamma Fraternity.

Mike's work ethic was second to none, starting with his first official job at the Woodward Post Office and following him through harvest crews, a short stent in the retail sector, and a lifetime career in the oil and gas industry. In 2000, Mike cofounded U-S Oil Tools and through hard work, in-depth knowledge, and an enviable ability to make and keep relationships across the industry, Mike ran a successful business until his retirement in 2022.

Although a successful entrepreneur in the oil industry, Mike's greatest priority was his family. In 1983, Mike was gifted a daughter through his first marriage to Pamela Seal. Marissa Beth adored her daddy and was always his shadow. On January 11, 1996 he married Kathryn Taylor and added two bonus sons, Taylor and Barrett to his life. He was a generous father with both his time and his support. He enjoyed sharing his immense knowledge of sports trivia, OSU ballgames, and love of golf with his children, but his greatest joy of all was his grandkids. There was nothing better for Mike than supporting their events, surprising them with front row tickets to an OSU game, or loading them up for a day on the range. His role as Papa was his most prized achievement.

Mike Upchurch was a man of many words who cared more about others than himself as evidenced by the stories he loved to share.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Ruth Upchurch and his brother-in-law, Gary Trumbull. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Upchurch of Woodward; his daughter Marissa Paine and husband Michael of Los Angeles/Edmond; bonus sons Taylor Burnett and wife Tara of Woodward and Barrett Storm and wife Kourtnei of Deer Creek; his brother, Mark Upchurch and wife Tammy of Mustang; his two sisters, Karen Bowden and husband Tad of McAlester and Karla Trumbull of Moore; seven grandchildren: Abbey, Sofey and Nelley Burnett, Kamden Phillips, Brayson and Brooks Storm, and Phoebe Paine; and a host of nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church of Woodward with the funeral home accepting the contributions.

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