Sheldon Detrick
Obituary
“I’m not in the real estate business, I am in the people business” wasn’t just a quote for “Shel” Detrick, it was his way of life.
Herschel Sheldon “Shel” Detrick was born on May 18, 1936, in Columbus, Indiana. His earliest memories of life centered around the small town of Clay City, Indiana, but life soon moved him west to Oklahoma.
Detrick attended Rogers High School in Tulsa and graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1959. While at OSU, he pledged Sigma Chi Fraternity, a decision that impacted the rest of his life. He was a lifelong Sigma Chi who served for decades at local, regional and national levels.
After graduating in 1960, Detrick began his real estate career as a sales associate with Hughes & Jones, Realtors in Tulsa. He may have gained an edge there considering he married the owner’s daughter. Shel and Jan (Jones) Detrick enjoyed 63-years of marriage.
Detrick found his passion in real estate. He moved quickly from sales associate to owner. In 1969 he started his own brokerage company, Detrick, Realtors. Over the next 11 years, Detrick, Realtors grew to become the largest real estate company in Tulsa with 240 sales associates and a 20% market share. In 1980, Detrick Realty sold to Merrill Lynch, and Detrick spent the next three years as the company CEO.
Detrick eventually departed from Merrill Lynch and pursued several different ventures: he sat on the Board of Directors and chaired the Loan Committee for the newly founded Tulsa National Bank in1983; he was appointed to the inaugural Oklahoma Racing Commission by Oklahoma Governor George Nigh; he served on the Business Round Table in Washington, D.C., as well as President Nixon’s Commission on Gaming Policy.
But the 1990s brought Detrick’s return to the real estate brokerage business. He acquired The Prudential Properties of Oklahoma, which is especially significant as this company was, in effect, his “old” company that he previously sold to Merrill Lynch in the early 80’s. Out of this, he grew to love building companies and expanded across state lines through further purchase of real estate companies in Oklahoma City, Albuquerque, Santa Fe and San Antonio. He later added Gibraltar Title Company and Santa Fe Mortgage Company.
With his banner of the “people business”—championing personal relationships with employees, consumers, and competitors alike—Detrick fostered a culture for successful real estate business in Tulsa and beyond: a positive effect that will ripple for years to come.
Detrick leaves behind his mark not just in business, but also with his college and fraternity. In 1990, Oklahoma State University named him “distinguished alumnus.” As a passionate OSU fan, Shel frequently attended Cowboy sporting events and was greatly involved in the development of Gallagher Iba Arena’s Spirit Rider bronze.
Detrick’s visits to Stillwater, Oklahoma also centered heavily around the Gamma Delta Chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. There, he served on the House Corporation for 25 years, leading efforts to construct a new fraternity house in 1980. Nationally, Sigma Chi deemed him Significant Sig and welcomed him into the prestigious Order of Constantine. Even in his older years, Detrick devoted numerous hours to help undergraduate members find themselves professionally. Detrick loved Sigma Chi his entire life.
Though a lifelong Tulsan, Detrick never forgot his ‘Indiana roots’ every Memorial Weekend, attending nearly 60-consecutive Indianapolis 500 races. He even spent a decade working as a USAC Technician, working behind the pit walls at Indy Racing League races across the country.
Detrick also maintained his passion for the West as a member of Racheros Vistadores and El Viaje de Portola in California.
Nobody in Detrick’s circle was able to ignore his “die-hard” obsession with Chicago Cubs baseball, nor miss his delight to see his Cubs end a 107-year World Series drought in 2016.
Shel Detrick is survived by his wife Jan of 63-years, his daughter Diana (Detrick) Medders and son-in-law Jeff Medders, his grandchildren Morgan Medders, Mackenzie Medders, Madi (Medders) Fielder and her husband Trevor Fielder and Meg Medders.
In Hoc! Go Pokes! Go Cubbies!
Events
Tributes & Memories
Sending my deepest sympathies to Sheldon's friends and family. He was a fantastic role model and will be greatly missed.
Anonymous
The Sigma Chi fraternity was made better due to Shel's involvement. I was proud to call him my brother, and honored to call him my friend. All honor to his name...IHSV Lee A. Beauchamp 63rd Grand Consul Sigma Chi Fraternity
Lee Beauchamp
Who am I sir? I'm a Sigma Chi! Will be sir, until the day I die. What more can one brother say to another, after passing from this life, other than I wish that I could have spent time with him discussing so many things, important and not! As a fellow from St. Looie and a lifelong Cardinal fan, we could have spent hours discussing the Lou Brock for Ernie Brolio trade, the perpetual on-field battles beteen the Cubbies and Cards, and Harry Carey's move from St. Louis to Chicago. Sing it one more time for Shel, Harry: "Take me out to the Ball Game!"
Robert Hennkens
Shel was my pledge son, for which he has made me very proud.I remember that he spent his first night sleeping on a rug in my room after a big night of partying!! I would love to take credit for how great he turned out, but he gets all the credit for that! In the last few years we have been fortunate to have been able to be with him on many occasions, and will miss him. My son, Doug Deardorff, also a Gamma Delta Sig, recalls him fondly and remembers working with Shel when Doug was rush chairman. All honor to his name!! Max Deardorff, MD Gamma Delta 56
Max Deardorff
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Our warmest condolences,
The Runyon Family
What a kind, generous, gracious, wise man Shel was. He chose to mentor Landen at Sigma Chi and continued to do so until his departure. He was always encouraging but realistic with Landen. He taught him the world of real estate with wisdom, knowledge, and humor. He knew everyone and was eager to introduce Landen to every last one of them. We were so pleased that a man of his countenance took our son under his wing and treated him like a son/grandson/man/fraternity brother. We were so blessed to have known him and our hearts are so very sad that he is no longer in our world. Thank you for sharing him with us and most of all, Landen. We have great love for all of you! Les and Benita Peeler
Les and Benita Peeler
RIP Shel......I was a lost sole in October of 1999 (35) ....said a few prayers for direction and the next day I saw an ad in the Tulsa World. "Have you ever considered a career in real estate?" I called on the add, met Shel Detrick. Turns out he was at my initiation to Sigma Chi in Southern California. His God son was my pledge brother at USC and he liked horses. Shel took me to lunch at In The Raw (33rd & Peoria) and spent the next six hours painting the vision for my life and I still LIVE today. I enrolled in his Real Estate School and was licensed in December 1999. Two years later through his school I earned my Brokers License. All of the fundamentals in my business were Sheldon Inspired. In 2000, I wanted to make the board of top producers then I wanted the TOP SPOT. Though his educational incentive programs I met mentors such as Mike Ferry and Monica Reynolds and traveled on his dime and my production to my First Summit which was the top 500 in a company of 60,000. His leadership, my motivation and rewards led me to educational excellence in Vancouver British Columbia, Scottsdale, AZ, Boston, San Diego, Chicago, Palm Desert, and many other stops along the way. I also met some amazing humans and top producers around the country that I still call friends today. He was an Iconic Leader in his industry and he knew how to make you feel great. Rest in Peace Sheldon Detrick and the White Cross of Sigma Chi has gained more luster by your life!!! In Hoc, Bill Whitescarver
Bill Whitescarver
I'd like to think when life is done - That I had filled a needed post - That I had taken gifts divine In service for my fellow man. That someone's cheery voice and smile Shall prove that I had been worthwhile! That I had paid with something fine My debt to God for life divine. (Excerpts from Guest poem). Yes, Shel, you did that and much more!! You'll be in our hearts forever! Love, The Maske and Calvin Families
Ann Maske
We're deeply sorry for your loss of a great husband, father, and grandfather. Our love and condolences
The Blanchet Family
Shel was a good friend for many years. We did lots together. He was a man of action fun to be with ,knew tulsa and so many people, deals and what’s happening in our community. He will be missed by many. God speed to his family. Robin Siegfried
Robin Siegfried
What special memories of our families together. Jan l think of you often and send my love and a big hug as I know Shel will leave a big void in so many lives. Leslie Hughes
Leslie Hughes
Shel and I go back to high school. We used to go to Sapulpa to shoot pool, since at that time you had to be 18 to get in to a pool parlor in Tulsa! Many times there were others making the same trip, too! We each went our way after HS, me to OU and Shel to OSU. I always treasured his friendship in those times...
James (Jim) Blue
I worked for Shel for 18 years and enjoyed every minute of it. He enjoyed what he did and put oomf and energy into everything he did. He was a visionary and was good at what he did. Just a few weeks ago we spoke and he mentioned about having a Prudential reunion and I’m sad that won’t happen now. Rest in peace my friend.
Russell Benson
As a former Grand Praetor and now a Grand Trustee of Sigma Chi it was always a pleasure working with Shel. Both being in the Order of Constantine means we shared great memories together. Shel WILL BE missed ALL HONOR TO HIS NAME!
Garnett Haubelt
I first met Shel when he hired me in the 70's to work with his Cousin, David Detrick, in starting the first Commercial Real Estate and Management Company in Tulsa. At that time he owned the beautiful 3 story building on 31st. It was filled with many wonderful people that gave their entire lives to Real Estate with his Company. I eventually left but we always stayed in contact. After returning to Tulsa in the early '90's Shel found out I was back and hired me again to start a new position with The Detrick Companies as the V.P. of Marketing/Economic Development. I loved my time with everyone. My office was next door to Shel's and we became good friends. Most people don't know he had such a love for his wife, Jan, who also worked in the office and dedicated her life to not only Shel, Sigma Chi, their family but also to their businesses. After I left this time it was bitter sweet. I missed everyone. Unable to work anymore we still kept in contact through the years and shared many loves like Art. He had a beautiful collection of Remington Art Works besides all his other interests. After returning to Tulsa in 2010, we reconnected on Facebook. I was able to see how he and Jan were doing and keep in contact through messages. He had a beautiful and blessed life with Jan, his daughter and their family. I will miss his posts about car racing and Sigma Chi! My prayers go out to Jan and the rest of his family during this difficult time. See you in the hereafter Sheldon....Jeannie Reed
Jeannie Reed
To my dear friend. Thank you for being a light in my life.
Kimberly Honea
40 years of sharing with Shel have been the best years. My Sigma Chi pledge pop. Initiated in 2019 at the age of 68…yep….you read that right! I Had to align with Shel and Sigma Chi JORDAN STANDARD … https://sigmachi.org/home/leadership-resources/the-jordan-standard/ expectations of me. Well, Shel, it only took me 68 years! Thanks for your kind, gentle, loving friendship Shel. See you soon enough in Chapter Eternal. In Hoc my brother. Sam
Sam Allen
Shel and my dad were cousins. When I lost my dad in 2019, Shel and I continued to remain in contact. I enjoyed every minute of our visits, it was so wonderful to hear all my family’s histories and learn about Shel as well. We were going to visit this October. I am saddened deeply by his passing and will miss the texts and phone calls. Much love to the family. Missy Pipes
Melissa Pipes