Mel was a freelance photographer with over 30 years experience in the Tulsa area.

After graduation from Hale High School, he attended Oklahoma State University majoring in Photojournalism.

Tulsa World - Jan 22, 2008

School volunteer, mentor dies at 56

James Michael "Mike" Chittom, a Rotarian and a mentor to the students at Celia Clinton Elementary School, died in a fire in his office on Friday (1/18). He was 56.
 

Mike married Carrie Marston on June 13, 1992.  He was a self-employed stock trader and investor.

A dedicated Rotarian since 1997, Mike volunteered at Celia Clinton Elementary School, the Rotary Club of Tulsa's partner in the Adopt-a-School program.  The program involves about 30 Rotarians who regularly mentor individual students in reading and other subjects or who interact with a class.  He worked with an entire class at a time, taking the students to the library or cafeteria, where he read to them or worked with them on what they were learning in class.

For the past nine years, he was chairman of the Celia Clinton Adopt-A-School Committee. He oversaw a clothing drive that produced so many donations of coats and clothing that a trailer was needed to contain them all.

Mike wrote in a December 2007 Rotary Club newsletter: "I always remember what the founder of Express Personnel said when asked if he was rich. He said, 'You are only as rich as the last person you helped.' All of us who work at Celia Clinton Elementary are trying to be rich."

Mike visited the school almost daily. He also helped start a canned food drive, which was designed to give healthy foods to children who don't have much to eat or who don't eat well on weekends.

"He was the best man I ever knew," said Terri Heritage, a fellow Rotarian and co-chairwoman of the Adopt-A-School committee.

"When Mike walked in the door (of the school), you could hear kids calling, 'Hi, Mr. Chittom,' as they flocked to him. He was like the Pied Piper."

Mike was the most recent recipient of the Rotary Club's highest honor, the James G. Saied Service Above Self and Then Some Award, for his work at the school.  "Mike was a great Rotarian and a giant among community leaders," said Tim Colwell, president of the Rotary Club of Tulsa.  "We all are going to miss his infectious laughter, his passion for kids and his ability to make us cry with stories of Celia Clinton students."

Mike also played the banjo in Steve Ham's Jambalaya Jass/Jazz Band.

He is survived by his wife, Carrie Chittom; three stepdaughters, his parents, Charles and June Chittom of Tulsa; a sister, Jan Chittom-Brasher [Class of '74] and three grandchildren.

Friends are making memorial contributions to the Tulsa Rotary Community Fund. A scholarship fund for Celia Clinton students is being established in Mike's name.

Mike Chittom - front & center
photo courtesy of Tulsa Rotary Club

Addendum: 4/08/08 - from the TPS web site

She was born on June 2, 1951, to Harold and Peggy Moncrief in Alexandria, LA. She was a graduate of Hale High School, class of 1969. Marily married, Rick Sonleiter, November 19, 1977. They would have celebrated 30 years of marriage this year.

Marily was an active member of Asbury United Methodist Church for over 25 years. She and Rick were also members of the Wordfinders Community, where they served 18 years as Secretary and Treasurer.

She will be remembered as a caring, humble, loyal and kind-hearted person. Marily, you will forever be in our hearts.

Marily is preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Peggy Moncrief. Survivors include her husband, a stepson, a step-daughter, two grandchildren, a sister, a brother, 10 nieces and nephews and 5 great-nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 pm., Wednesday, June 6, at Moore's Southlawn Chapel, 9350 E. 51st St. There will be a private family graveside ceremony at Memorial Park Cemetery, followed by a Memorial service at Asbury United Methodist Church, at 11 am, Thursday, June 7.

The family expresses appreciation for the kindness, support, and love of the staff on 7W Transplant Unit at Saint Francis Hospital. Contributions to the Leukemia/ Lymphoma Society in memory of Marily.

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Rites slated for co-owner of Marily's clothing store
Tulsa World 6/6/2007

Marily Moncrief-Sonleiter, who co-owned Marily's clothing store in Utica Square for 25 years, died Monday. She was 56.

A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 pm Wednesday at Moore's Southlawn Funeral Home. A private graveside service will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery, and a public memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at Asbury United Methodist Church.