2017 Hall of Fame Honoree
Perry D. “BUD” Inhofe ‘50
Perry D. “Bud” Inhofe attended OMA until 1950 and has made notable accomplishments ever since that time. Inhofe began in the insurance business in 1952 as a claims adjuster with Tri State Insurance Company. Inhofe worked his way up in the insurance business gaining increasing responsibility including positions as claims representative, underwriter, assistant vice president, vice president, and executive vice president culminating in being named as president and CEO of the Mid-Continent Casualty Company in 1970.
Bud married his junior high and high school sweetheart Margaret Giddens in 1952. At her insistence, he attended night school at the University of Tulsa, where he earned his law degree in 1958.
Inhofe not only served his company, he devoted time and energy to the insurance industry by serving as a director of the National Association of Independent Insurers, which is the world’s largest insurance trade association. He became chairman of the organization’s board in 1983. Other business interests include directorship with a local Tulsa bank, a director of the American Cellular Telephone Company and a director of Taft Broadcasting.
Inhofe is a former member, deacon, and elder of the First Christian Church in Tulsa and is a past president of the board of Chapel by the Sea in South Padre Island, Texas, where he continues to serve on the board of directors. He also serves on the board of visitors for Scott and White, a large healthcare facility in central Texas.
Bud and Margaret have been married 65 years and since his retirement in 1990, they have resided in South Padre Island. Bud has earned the rank of Silver Life Master in duplicate bridge. He is an instrument-rated pilot, and he and Margaret have flown their personal prop jet all over North America.
Bud and Margaret have two daughters, Melinda and Marilyn; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.