?? Tom Birkes, 89 , of Kingfisher, a one-time city commissioner and noted Kingfisher County agricultural figure, died Jan. 28 at Mercy Hospice.

An avid local government watchdog and community advocate, Birkes served as Kingfisher Chamber of Commerce manager early in his career and then was elected to the Kingfisher City Commission in April 1997.

He resigned his city post due to health reasons in May 2000, before the completion of his four-year term.

Birkes was born May 18, 1929 in Tulsa to Mattie and Fred Birkes.

He grew up in Dover and was a 1947 graduate of Dover High School, and a 1953 graduate of Oklahoma A & M College (now Oklahoma State University) with a degree in agriculture.

He was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. During his senior year he was part of a four-member team which won the National Meat Judging championship. He served two years in the Army.

Birkes married Mary Ann Proctor in 1952 and they were married for 63 years before her death in 2015.

Birkes spent his career in agriculture as a cattle buyer and commodities trader.

He lived in Iowa shortly after graduating from college, working in a livestock-related position, before returning to Kingfisher where he served as chamber of commerce manager before beginning a career as a cattle buyer and commodities trader.

He lived in Kingfisher for more than 50 years and was active in the community, serving on the Kingfisher City Commission and was a 32^nd degree Mason.

His passion was Oklahoma State University as he and Ann were members of the Posse Club and avid followers of all OSU sports.

Birkes is survived by two brothers-in-law and sisters-in-laws, and nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his mother and father Mattie and Fred Birkes, his wife, Mary Ann, and his aunts Goldie and Jimalou Smith.

A celebration of life will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Federated Church in Kingfisher.