Obituary for Michael “Mick” Sullivan

Michael Jon Sullivan

March 13, 1947 – May 28, 2022

Michael (Mick) Jon Sullivan, age 75, died at his home in Ponca City, Oklahoma on Saturday, May 28, 2022.

Mick was born in Enid, Oklahoma on March 13, 1947. He was the son of LM and Peggy Sullivan. His father’s career as a school superintendent took the family throughout small-town Oklahoma, including stops in Kremlin, Boise City, Coyle, and Cleo Springs. Mick’s love of the outdoors started early in life and he earned the rank of Eagle Scout before graduating high school as co-valedictorian in Coyle, OK in 1965. Mick was an excellent student and achieved distinction as a National Merit Scholar.

Mick attended Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK, where he was enrolled in the pre-medicine program and a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. While attending Oklahoma State, Mick met Marta Lynne Ross from Newkirk, OK. The two were married in 1969, shortly after Mick earned his bachelor’s degree as a pre-medicine student at OSU.

Mick then attended medical school at the University of Oklahoma, graduating in 1972. Mick completed an internship in Corpus Christie, TX and a medical residency at the University of Oklahoma. Mick and Marta had their first child, David, in 1974. In the summer of 1976, the family moved to Ponca City, where Mick established his internal medical practice. Months later, their second child, Laura, was born.

Mick practiced internal medicine in Ponca City for almost 40 years before retiring in September of 2015. Mick was active in the Ponca City medical community, including as the Chief of Staff at the local hospital. He was well loved by his patients and respected by his peers and colleagues. “Doctor Sullivan” will be long-remembered for his contributions to the healthcare community in northern Oklahoma.

Mick was a passionate outdoorsman and spent years exploring the countryside around Ponca City. He was an excellent fisherman and enjoyed hunting. He was a patient instructor and passed his love of the outdoors on to many friends and family. He also had a passion for archaeology and was an active member of the Oklahoma Anthropological Society. In 1994 he was given the prestigious Golden Trowel Award for “outstanding service” to the organization and the study of archaeology in Oklahoma. He devoured non-fiction books and was annoyingly knowledgeable on many subjects. It was a challenge to keep him in books suitable for his intellect and interests.

Mick was truly one-of-a-kind. He was an intense intellectual, an energetic outdoorsman, a talented physician, and a devoted father and grandfather. He enjoyed good music, good soccer, and a small campfire surrounded by friends and family. Although he was known for his serious approach to so many pursuits, he had a brilliant sense of humor. His complicated pranks and clever quips will be greatly missed.

Mick was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. LM and Peggy Sullivan of Harrah, OK. He is survived by his brother Steve (Nancy) Sullivan of Choctaw, OK, and two children, David (Brandi) of Norman, OK, and Laura (Oliver) Sullivan-Beckers of Murray, KY. “Tall Papa” or “Opa” was loved by his grandchildren, John, Michael and Sylvia. The family is planning a private celebration of his life in a manner consistent with his wishes, followed by the scattering of his ashes.

Source: Trout Funeral Home