Terry Wayne West passed away June 6, 2026, after a years long battle with cancer.
Terry was born in Ada, OK on July 3, 1938 to Carl and Marie West. He graduated from Francis High School in 1956 at the top of his class, (which was not too difficult given that there were nine students in the class, and his mother was the teacher). Terry attended East Central University before transferring to the University of Oklahoma. While at ECU, Terry also served as Editor of the Ada Evening News. In January 1959, Terry enlisted in the Army reserves. He later attended the University of Tulsa’s night law school program, graduating in 1966, while working for the Aetna Insurance Company during the day. While at TU, Terry served as managing editor of the Tulsa Law Review While in law school, Terry met Charles Henry, father of Governor Brad Henry and upon graduating, the two moved their families to Shawnee, and on February 2nd, 1967, opened the law firm of Henry and West. Over the years Terry mentored many Oklahoma attorneys, some of whom have gone on to become District Court Judges, Appellate Court Judges (both state and Federal), and Oklahoma Supreme Court Justices.
Terry was a member of the Oklahoma Association for Justice (formerly the Oklahoma Trial Lawyers Association) since 1968 and served as the organization’s President twice (1973 and 1988). He was a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. He served on the Board of Governors of the Oklahoma Bar Association from 1987-1989, has twice served on the Judicial Nominating Commission and was appointed by the Oklahoma Supreme Court to serve on three standing committees.
In addition to his career as a trial lawyer, Terry provided decades of public service at the state and local level. He was a lifetime trustee of the Sarkey’s Foundation, an organization which has provided more than $120 million to Oklahoma nonprofits since its founding in 1962.
In 2019 UT College of Law opened the Terry West Civil Legal Clinic, which offers wide-ranging experiential learning opportunities for UT law students in areas of public service law that include: housing, consumer affairs, education, healthcare and issues affecting veterans. In 2022 Terry was inducted into the University of Tulsa Law School Hall of Fame.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his son, Bart, his ex-wife Phyllis, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Terry leaves behind three children, Brad West, Sabrina West and Brigette Parrott (Jeff), grandchildren Delaney (Jeremiah), Gabrielle and Jaxon, and two great-grandchildren Macyn and Rylan. He also leaves behind one of the greatest loves of his life, Marcia Crook and his favorite cousin, June Boggs.
Services will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, 2 pm at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1451 E. 45th Street, Shawnee. Visitation will be, June 12, from 4-6 pm at Walker Funeral Service, 201 E. 45th Street, Shawnee. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations be made to the Shawnee Salvation Army, Stephenson Cancer Center or The Terry West Civil Legal Clinic at The University of Tulsa College of Law.
