ABOUT US
The Tom & Marye Kate Aldridge Foundation was founded in 1995 to honor Tom & Marye Kate Aldridge and pursue the ideals and standards by which they lived.
Marye Kate Aldridge was a teacher. She strongly believed that the only thing one can truly possess is education. All that follows springs from how that knowledge is put to use. The Aldridge Foundation supports innovative teaching methods that address common problems, and may be replicated in other venues. Providing an avenue for self-improvement is paramount in making grant decisions.
Robert Aldridge, Chairman Emeritus, is the son of the Foundation's grantors. A graduate of University of Oklahoma, he held management positions with C.R. Anthony Co. and practiced as a Certified Financial Planner.
Our Chairman, Tom Shelton Aldridge II, has been an educator for over 30 years. He shares his fathers passion for philanthropy and making a difference in the lives of others.
Robert "Bob" Shelton Aldridge was born on November 27, 1931, in Hollis Oklahoma to Tom Shelton and Marye Kate Aldridge. Bob grew up as an only child. He spent his early childhood following the career of his father, Tom Shelton Aldridge as he rose within the C.R. Anthony Company.
From Plano, Texas, to the plains of west Texas, and finally to Oklahoma. Bob's junior and high school years were spent in the Oklahoma City area, where he attended Taft Jr. High and Classen Highschool, where he graduated in 1950. Upon graduation from high school, Bob began his collegian studies at the University of Oklahoma where he pledged Phi Kappa Sigma and studied business. While at the University of Oklahoma, he joined the United States Air Force R.O.T.C. After college graduation in 1954, 1st Lieutenant Aldridge severed his country at Edwards Air Force base in the California desert. As he continued his military career in the reserves, Captain Aldridge began his civilian life as a merchant with the company his father had helped to grow into a retail giant.
His employment with the C. R. Anthony company led him to Freeport, Texas where his life would be forever changed by a beautiful redheaded firecracker with three young children. Bob married Laverne "Bun" Roye in 1959 and adopted her children as his own. Parris, Mickie and Rusty Aldridge welcomed their little brother Tommy to the family in 1960. The Aldridge's started their adventure as a new family and moved from Andrews, Texas to the state Oklahoma. The family prospered, graduated high school, married and grew.
In 1976 Bob left retail and became the director of development for St. Gregory's college in Shawnee, Oklahoma. It was there that this philanthropic heart took hold and his life began to prepare him for his true calling. In the early 1990's Bob helped his father create a Trust that would bare his name. The Tom S and Marye Kate Aldridge charitable and Educational trust has given millions of dollars to those in need. Under his guidance Bob was the chairman and captain of our ship. As he grew the trust his family grew around him.
"Pa" as he was lovingly know by his family, alway had an empty lap and a wonderful story ready for those who came to visit. Bob was an author, a poet, an actor and comedian. He was our North Star and the world will not be the same without his wisdom. Bob died peacefully in his sleep.
He was proceeded in death by his parents Tom and Marye Kate, his wife Bun, his son Rusty, his daughter Mickie and his granddaughter Stacia. Bob is survived by his two children, daughter Parris and her husband Richard, son Tom and his wife Melissa and son in law Mic, 7 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild and his dear friend and companion Mona Long who will never forget the quiet, loving teddy bear that was Robert Shelton Aldridge.
Robert "Bob" Aldridge
It is with a heavy heart we say goodbye to Parris Aldridge Nicholson. If you ever had the pleasure of her company you know she was vivacious, fun-loving and fiercely loyal! My sister embodied the adopted Aldridge motto: “Numquam veritas intercedit inter te ac fabulam bonam”, Latin for: “Never let the truth get in between you and a good story”. A true story teller, Parris shared her life experiences with a comedic flair that would captivate her audience. We share the grief of her husband Richard and hold him in our prayers. He was the love of her life and he took loving care of her until the end. May our sister be remembered for her service to the less fortunate and her compassion for those special people who needed a helping hand. Our hearts are breaking but our course is clear. We will always remember you as the amazing, generous person you were.
Parris Aldridge Nicholson
It is with profound sadness we say goodbye to Mickie Aldridge Smith. She was beloved by her family to whom she was fiercely loyal. Mickie was a wonderful cook and a defender of the needy, very much like her mother. She was a lover of books and learning like her father. She was the champion of the underdog and supported many causes that would have been less fruitful without her efforts. Our family has lost our beloved "mouse". It seem so silly that was her nickname, she was in every way a lioness, she will be missed.
Mickie Aldridge Smith
LaVerne Aldridge
“In loving memory of a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother"
Rusty Aldridge
“In loving memory"