Obituary published in The Oklahoman, February 16, 2009
Sally Rae Merkle Mock passed away on February 14, 2009, peacefully but prematurely, due to a ruptured brain aneurism.
She was born in Wichita Falls, TX, on February 28, 1943 to Caroline Peterson Merkle and John Henry Merkle. She graduated high school in 1961 from Northwest Classen in Oklahoma City, OK. She obtained her B.S. degree in chemistry from the University of Oklahoma in 1965 and was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority. She earned her M.S. degree in natural sciences from the University of Oklahoma, and in 1973 obtained her J.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law, graduating first in her class. Her academic honors include membership in Phi Beta Kappa, the Mortar Board, Order of the Coif, Phi Delta Phi, and the Board of Editors of the Oklahoma Law Review.
Upon graduation from law school, Sally served as a law clerk to Judge William J. Holloway of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. She also practiced at two Oklahoma City-based law firms before joining McAfee & Taft in 1988. She served as the first female member and as chairperson of the Oklahoma Board of Bar Examiners.
Sally was a strong advocate for women’s rights, which she demonstrated by serving as a board member of Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma, where she was recognized as volunteer of the year in 2007. She was also a co-founder of the Oklahoma Committee to Promote Women’s Health, a political action committee. She was candid and honest and never hesitated to express her opinion. Those she touched will miss the direction that she provided them. Her family will especially miss her leadership, organization and love. Her children appreciated her valuable guidance in making life’s decisions.
Sally is survived by her husband, Randall; her son, Adam, of Los Angeles, CA; her daughter, Caroline, of New York, NY; her brother, Joe Peter Merkle, of Maud, OK; her sister, Patricia Baggett, of Las Cruces, NM; her nieces Alice and Molly Baggett of Seattle, WA; her father and mother-in-law, J. Haskell and Louise Mock.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Wednesday, February 18, 2009, at Westminster Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be contributed to: Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma or KGOU-Oklahoma public radio.