Obituary for Thomas Glasscock

Thomas C. Glasscock

May 2, 1918 – October 18, 2021

Dr. Thomas C. Glasscock, 103, of Ponca City, OK, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2021, at home, surrounded by his family. It was Dr. Glasscock’s wish that his remains be cremated. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave., Ponca City, OK 74601.

Dr. Glasscock was born at Finley, North Dakota, on May 2, 1918, to Dr. T.J. and Sadie (Savre) Glasscock. He went to school there through the eighth grade until his father moved his medical practice to Hawarden, Iowa. While in school, he participated in football, basketball and track; played the saxophone in the band and was in the National Honor Society. Upon graduation, he returned to North Dakota to attend the University of North Dakota, where he earned B.S. and B.A. degrees. He became a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He then transferred to the University of Chicago Rush Medical College, where he earned his M.D., graduating in 1942. While there, he took the exam for the Navy Medical Corps, which he passed, and was assigned to the U.S. Navy Hospital in Pensacola, Florida. He and his wife spent a year there and his daughter, Patty Glasscock Clifton, was born in the Navy Hospital.

He was in the Navy Medical Corps for 4 years and went to the European Theater as a medical officer for PT Boat Squadron 30 for the entire European war, from the invasion until the war was over. He was an integral part of rescuing wounded and recovering the dead from the USS Leopoldville after a Nazi attack on Christmas Eve, 1944, in the English Channel. 802 U.S. troops lost their lives. After the war, Tom was assigned to assist with air and sea rescues, being based out of Cherbourg. He returned to the naval station at Great Lakes until he was discharged as a Lt. Commander in the Medical Corps.

Upon discharge, he came to Ponca City, Oklahoma, and joined the Niemann-Northcutt Clinic, where he was a member for five years, specializing in general practice. After that, he went into private practice until he retired in January 2000. While in private practice, Tom delivered over 2,000 babies in Ponca City. He was also, the Medical Director for the Ponca Military Academy, was the surgeon for Santa Fe and Rock Island Rail Road, served as past president of the Ponca City County Club, was a former staff member of the Ponca City Hospital, was a member of the Key Note Medical Society, was a Charter member of the Southwest Medical Society and was a member of the Oklahoma Pediatric Society.

The highlight of his life was when Jean (Ausborn) Stanford accepted his proposal and they were married on February 16, 1990, in Ponca City. They had a great life traveling and enjoying each other during this time. He retired and remained in Ponca City.

Tom is survived by his wife, Jean Glasscock, of the home; daughter, Patty Clifton and her husband, Gary, of Las Vegas, Nevada; grandson, Scott Clifton and his wife, Debbie and one great-granddaughter, Riliegh; step-daughter, Jan Beller and her husband, David, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; their children, Julie Bowman and her husband, Donnie, Blaine Beller and his wife, Tara; 4 grandchildren and one great-grandchild; step-son, Mike Stanford and his wife, Susan, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; their children, Chad Stanford and his wife, Dore, Jeremy Stanford and his wife, Becky, Sarah Freed and her husband, Jason; 6 grandchildren; one niece; one nephew and a host of friends.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. T.J. and Sadie Glasscock; sister, Janet Shay and her husband, Dennis and one niece.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hartford Avenue Church of Christ, 1905 Joe St, Ponca City, OK 74601 or Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 445 Fairview Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home