Dr. Thomas William Cairns, loving husband, father, coach, and educator, passed away November 4, 2018 in Tulsa, OK. Tom was born November 13, 1931 in Hutchinson, KS. He graduated from Hutchinson High School and was presented with the Hutchinson High School Wall of Honor (2016-17). He earned his B.S. in physics, M.S. and doctorate in mathematics from Oklahoma State University. As a freshman in college he played basketball for Henry Iba and then went on to serve the team performing various coaching duties. After his M.S. degree and during the Korean War, he served as 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army principally attached to the National Security Agency (NSA). In 1959, he started his long career of more than 52 years as a Professor of Mathematics at The University of Tulsa. He served as the department chair (1967-1976) where he sought to implement tenure and successfully promoted computer science as a separate intellectual discipline. Tom was active in undergraduate research including mathematics, cryptology, and computer security. He also had students working with him researching fluid mechanics and the flight of a volleyball. He coordinated the Tulsa Undergraduate Research Challenge (TURC) and took many undergraduates to present their research at conferences. Tom was selected Mr. Homecoming, an honor reserved for TU employees who lead by example and demonstrate a strong sense of TU pride. He was appointed professor emeritus upon his 2012 retirement. In addition to his work in the Mathematics Department, Tom started the TU women's volleyball program in 1976 and coached from 1976 to 1992. Without athletic scholarships and budget, he worked tirelessly to recruit outstanding academic students, with many of whom he has remained in contact. He was active in promoting women's equity in sports and was pivotal in Title IX compliance at TU in both sports and the academic STEM fields. In 1999, the Dr. Tom Cairns Golden Hurricane Classic volleyball tournament was established in his honor; and in 2010, Tulsa student-athletes, through the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, selected Tom as Faculty Member of the Year at the Golden Cane Awards. In 2017, he was inducted to the University of Tulsa Athletic Hall of Fame Order of Merit. New to Tulsa in 1959, he and his wife Sharon, began playing volleyball at the Tulsa YMCA. During this time he learned to play and became lifelong friends with many of the Golden Okies. They competed in regional and national USA Volleyball tournaments. He was still playing in 2000 when his team won Third place in the USA Open Volleyball Championships, Men's 65 and Over Division. Survived by wife, Sharon (Kellet) Cairns, daughter Janet Cairns, and son, Scot Cairns (wife Leslie) grandchildren, Andrea, Michael (wife Katie), and Amy Cairns, nephew, Rick Barnes, and three nieces, Nancy, Cathy, and Betsy Barnes , all of Tulsa. Predeceased by parents E.A. 'Chop' and Gladys (Upstone) Cairns, sister, Marilynn Barnes, and niece, Debbie Barnes. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 5, 2018, 11:00 AM, in Sharp Chapel at The University of Tulsa. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Tom Cairns Mathematics Scholarship to support students of mathematics focused on research and/or education at The University of Tulsa. TU gifts may be directed to The University of Tulsa, 800 S. Tucker Drive, Tulsa, OK 74104 (memo: Tom Cairns Mathematics Scholarship). Service: 12/05/2018 00:00 11:00 a.m. Sharp Chapel at the University of Tulsa .