Class of 1951
1951 Maroon Spotlight
Thomas Brandt
Football 47-51, F.F.A. 47-51, F.F.A. Watchdog 49-50, F.F.A. Treasurer 50-51, Junior Class Vice-President 49-50, Home Room President 50-51, Perryscope 50-51.
1951 Graduation EditionPerry Daily Journal
The Perry Maroon football team will lose a two-year letterman with the graduation Thursday of Thomas Murray Brandt, 18, son of L. P. Brandt of 401 Ivanhoe street. Tom plans to attend Oklahoma A. & M. college. He has participated in football since 1948, and is treasurer of the Perry Future Farmers of America this year. He was vice president of the junior class last year. In addition to the FFA, he is a member of Teen Town. Tom attended Jenks schools nine years before entering Perry high school three years ago.
Thomas Murray Brandt
February 27, 1933 – January 14, 2023
Thomas Murray Brandt, 89 years, went to his eternal home with the Lord on January 14, 2023, in Midland, Texas. Tom was born and raised into a large family along with eight brothers and sisters in Perry, Oklahoma, where he graduated high school. Tom married his high school sweetheart, Mary Belle Harman, also of Perry. They had been married 70 years in October of this past year.
Tom and Mary moved often, beginning with the U.S. Army and eventually to the oil fields of Oklahoma and Texas. After many years of working in the oil field supply and tubular companies, his career highlight was becoming President of Fluor Supply in Houston, Texas. Tom was responsible for several hundred employees in many field offices to which then grew to quite a large sector of the parent company. Following retirement from this, he continued to work in sales for several oil field pipe companies until he was 80 years old.
Tom and Mary resided in the Champions Golf Club area for 30 years where they each had a lifetime of golfing friendships there. Tom held board, treasurer, and elder positions at Cypress Creek Christian Church, and gladly served in nearly everything he was asked to do. Houston Habitat for Humanity and Houston’s Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) were two favorites. Because of his woodworking skills, he enjoyed making birdhouses, bookshelves for family, and furniture. The most important building project to him, though, was the Cypress Creek Christian Church chapel that is there today.
Tom never knew a stranger and was a strong believer and a model of faith to family and friends. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, and hunting with his sons, 6 grandchildren and a few of the older 6 great-grandchildren. Tom was looking forward to meeting a 7th great-grandchild this July. We will miss seeing Pop’s sweet face and hearing his laugh until we see him again.
Tom leaves behind his wife Mary, son Charles Tate Brandt of Glen Rose, wife Jana, and their three sons Logan, Carter, and Jared Brandt, son Thomas Michael Brandt of Midland, wife Linda, and their daughter Kirsten Grace Kelley, husband Andrew, and their three sons Crawford, Cole and Clayton, grandson Michael Leon Brooks in Oklahoma City, wife Mary, son Benjamin, and daughters Charlotte and Evelyn.
Tom is preceded in death by his parents, eight siblings, daughter Brenda Lee (Brandt) Brooks, and grandson Mitchell Lee Brandt.
Any gift to your charity of choice in order to honor Tom would be a wonderful tribute to the lives he touched. There will be a private family mass and burial in Midland, Texas.