Obituary for Kyle Wilson Toal
The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday at Vondel Smith Mortuary North, 13125 N. MacArthur Blvd.
Memorial service will be 11:00 AM Saturday, March 4th, St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 222 NW 15th, Oklahoma City.
Memorials may be made to:
Kyle Toal, M.D. Memorial Scholarship Fund,
University of Oklahoma Foundation,
P.O. Box 258856,
Oklahoma City, OK 73125-8856.
Make checks payable to:
OU Foundation with Kyle Toal Memorial Scholarship Fund in the memo.
A video of the service can be viewed using the following link:
St. Luke's Streaming Link
Kyle Wilson Toal, age 67, beloved husband, father, brother, and friend, passed away Tuesday, February 28, 2023. Kyle was born on April 10, 1955, in Ft. Worth, Texas, to Nelda and Thurman Toal. The family, which included Kyle’s twin sister Lisa and older sister Cindy, moved often and growing up Kyle attended 9 different schools in Iowa, Illinois and Oklahoma. The frequent moves made the family stronger…surroundings would change but the family core was strong, adaptable, and resilient. Luckily, Kyle got to stay put during high school in El Reno where he excelled on the golf team and in school activities. Kyle was truly appreciative and honored to be inducted in the El Reno High School Hall of Fame as the 2002 Distinguished Alumni. Upon graduation from El Reno High School, Kyle set his sights on the University of Oklahoma where he was a proud member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. Kyle completed his undergraduate pre-med studies in three years and attended medical school at the University of Oklahoma. Following graduation, he completed a General Surgery residency at University of Oklahoma, a Fellowship in Cardiovascular Physiology at Harvard Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and a Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Fellowship at the University of Oklahoma, serving as Chief Resident. Dr. Toal was considered an expert in the field of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. He practiced for many years at several Oklahoma City Hospitals until 1991 when he was asked to create a Cardiovascular Surgery program at Norman Regional Hospital. He took great pride in the program where he performed thousands of surgeries. Dr. Kyle Toal was a remarkably accomplished physician and surgeon – and had a life filled with honors and awards which he classified as “Resume Virtues.” While he was appreciative of these awards, they were never his goal, his joy was in helping people. Not only was he adored by his patients, he was beloved by hospital staff and colleagues, who have shared multitudes of stories of his impact on their lives. These relationships were “Eulogy Virtues.”
What truly mattered in Kyle’s life were his faith, family, and friends – more “Eulogy Virtues.” Kyle was a human dynamo, impacting every individual he encountered. “Uncle Kyle” was a Pied Piper to a generation of now adults; he was present in their lives during the challenging times and the joyful celebrations. He was a true wordsmith, loving quotes and sayings and applying them to everyday events or encounters. He was a fan of author David Foster Wallace and often quoted him: “The hardest thing to do is to live in the present.” Kyle lived in the present: every second, every minute, every day. He believed that every day is a gift. He was a true manifestation of a man who lived life to the fullest. No doubt each of his friends within his wide circle are confident that they were Kyle’s best friend. Kyle was a fierce and loyal friend who loved nothing more than gathering loved ones together to discuss current issues, books, Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, and Ulysses S Grant. He carved out time for those important in his life, because he believed that “times beat things.” He loved Churchill’s quote: “The greatest form of intoxication is conversation with good friends.” Kyle loved to cook meals for family members and friends and took great pride in “creating” new dishes to be sampled. Sunday evenings at the Toal/Chambers home usually meant having great conversation, delicious ribs, and lots of joy and laughter. Doing for others was imbedded in his DNA, and his energy and enthusiasm for life was contagious. His emphatic love for others truly personified Mr. Rogers’ saying that one must “listen to others’ feelings.” Kyle had a passion for literature, language, writing and traveling the world and sharing those experiences with those he loved.
Kyle’s greatest pride was the love of his life, Dr. Susan Chambers, and their three precious children John, Coralee and Ben. Kyle’s love, patience, support, and generosity as a father were beyond compare. Despite his career and pouring into everyone around him, he always made time for his children. From pancakes on Saturday mornings, to school morning drop offs all the way through high school they knew they could come to him with anything (and often did) knowing that they would be met with immediate love and attention. While working nights as a new intern in Pittsburgh, Coralee had a flat tire and called her dad. All the way from Oklahoma, he managed to have Coralee’s flat tire fixed by befriending a tow truck driver who had daughters himself. Leave it to Kyle to make a new friend in any situation.
Kyle and Susan met while students at OU medical school. Both Kyle and Susan were products of loving Oklahoma middle-class families, and their intellect and work ethic proved to be a magical match which benefitted thousands of families receiving their care. Kyle often teased that “I taught Susan everything she knows” – but we all knew he was joking! Kyle and Susan’s faith was their North Star, and they are long-time members of St. Luke’s Methodist Church in Oklahoma City. The lives they have lived is testimony to their deep-rooted faith.
Kyle leaves behind his wife of 35 years, Dr. Susan Chambers; sons John Toal and Ben Toal; and daughter Dr. Coralee Toal and her husband, Austin Everett; sister Lisa Porter and her husband, Dave; brother-in-law Jeff Chambers and his wife, Pam; nephews Justin Porter and wife, Peyton; Blake Porter and wife, Kendall; Beau Porter and wife, Cara; and nieces Amanda Chambers; and Rachel Bales and her husband, Kyle; and a host of grand nieces and nephews. Kyle was preceded in death by parents Nelda and Thurman Toal and sister, Cynthia Jean Toal.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 4 at 11 am at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Oklahoma City, OK. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made in support of the Kyle Toal Memorial Scholarship Fund at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. Checks should be made payable to the “OU Foundation” and can be mailed to PO Box 258856, OKC, OK 73125-8856. Please include “For the Kyle Toal Memorial Scholarship Fund” in a note or a memo along with the gift.
In Kyle’s honor please live life to the fullest, make memories with your loved ones, and remember to live each day as if it could be your last.
Memorial service will be 11:00 AM Saturday, March 4th, St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 222 NW 15th, Oklahoma City.
Memorials may be made to:
Kyle Toal, M.D. Memorial Scholarship Fund,
University of Oklahoma Foundation,
P.O. Box 258856,
Oklahoma City, OK 73125-8856.
Make checks payable to:
OU Foundation with Kyle Toal Memorial Scholarship Fund in the memo.
A video of the service can be viewed using the following link:
St. Luke's Streaming Link
Kyle Wilson Toal, age 67, beloved husband, father, brother, and friend, passed away Tuesday, February 28, 2023. Kyle was born on April 10, 1955, in Ft. Worth, Texas, to Nelda and Thurman Toal. The family, which included Kyle’s twin sister Lisa and older sister Cindy, moved often and growing up Kyle attended 9 different schools in Iowa, Illinois and Oklahoma. The frequent moves made the family stronger…surroundings would change but the family core was strong, adaptable, and resilient. Luckily, Kyle got to stay put during high school in El Reno where he excelled on the golf team and in school activities. Kyle was truly appreciative and honored to be inducted in the El Reno High School Hall of Fame as the 2002 Distinguished Alumni. Upon graduation from El Reno High School, Kyle set his sights on the University of Oklahoma where he was a proud member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. Kyle completed his undergraduate pre-med studies in three years and attended medical school at the University of Oklahoma. Following graduation, he completed a General Surgery residency at University of Oklahoma, a Fellowship in Cardiovascular Physiology at Harvard Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and a Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Fellowship at the University of Oklahoma, serving as Chief Resident. Dr. Toal was considered an expert in the field of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. He practiced for many years at several Oklahoma City Hospitals until 1991 when he was asked to create a Cardiovascular Surgery program at Norman Regional Hospital. He took great pride in the program where he performed thousands of surgeries. Dr. Kyle Toal was a remarkably accomplished physician and surgeon – and had a life filled with honors and awards which he classified as “Resume Virtues.” While he was appreciative of these awards, they were never his goal, his joy was in helping people. Not only was he adored by his patients, he was beloved by hospital staff and colleagues, who have shared multitudes of stories of his impact on their lives. These relationships were “Eulogy Virtues.”
What truly mattered in Kyle’s life were his faith, family, and friends – more “Eulogy Virtues.” Kyle was a human dynamo, impacting every individual he encountered. “Uncle Kyle” was a Pied Piper to a generation of now adults; he was present in their lives during the challenging times and the joyful celebrations. He was a true wordsmith, loving quotes and sayings and applying them to everyday events or encounters. He was a fan of author David Foster Wallace and often quoted him: “The hardest thing to do is to live in the present.” Kyle lived in the present: every second, every minute, every day. He believed that every day is a gift. He was a true manifestation of a man who lived life to the fullest. No doubt each of his friends within his wide circle are confident that they were Kyle’s best friend. Kyle was a fierce and loyal friend who loved nothing more than gathering loved ones together to discuss current issues, books, Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, and Ulysses S Grant. He carved out time for those important in his life, because he believed that “times beat things.” He loved Churchill’s quote: “The greatest form of intoxication is conversation with good friends.” Kyle loved to cook meals for family members and friends and took great pride in “creating” new dishes to be sampled. Sunday evenings at the Toal/Chambers home usually meant having great conversation, delicious ribs, and lots of joy and laughter. Doing for others was imbedded in his DNA, and his energy and enthusiasm for life was contagious. His emphatic love for others truly personified Mr. Rogers’ saying that one must “listen to others’ feelings.” Kyle had a passion for literature, language, writing and traveling the world and sharing those experiences with those he loved.
Kyle’s greatest pride was the love of his life, Dr. Susan Chambers, and their three precious children John, Coralee and Ben. Kyle’s love, patience, support, and generosity as a father were beyond compare. Despite his career and pouring into everyone around him, he always made time for his children. From pancakes on Saturday mornings, to school morning drop offs all the way through high school they knew they could come to him with anything (and often did) knowing that they would be met with immediate love and attention. While working nights as a new intern in Pittsburgh, Coralee had a flat tire and called her dad. All the way from Oklahoma, he managed to have Coralee’s flat tire fixed by befriending a tow truck driver who had daughters himself. Leave it to Kyle to make a new friend in any situation.
Kyle and Susan met while students at OU medical school. Both Kyle and Susan were products of loving Oklahoma middle-class families, and their intellect and work ethic proved to be a magical match which benefitted thousands of families receiving their care. Kyle often teased that “I taught Susan everything she knows” – but we all knew he was joking! Kyle and Susan’s faith was their North Star, and they are long-time members of St. Luke’s Methodist Church in Oklahoma City. The lives they have lived is testimony to their deep-rooted faith.
Kyle leaves behind his wife of 35 years, Dr. Susan Chambers; sons John Toal and Ben Toal; and daughter Dr. Coralee Toal and her husband, Austin Everett; sister Lisa Porter and her husband, Dave; brother-in-law Jeff Chambers and his wife, Pam; nephews Justin Porter and wife, Peyton; Blake Porter and wife, Kendall; Beau Porter and wife, Cara; and nieces Amanda Chambers; and Rachel Bales and her husband, Kyle; and a host of grand nieces and nephews. Kyle was preceded in death by parents Nelda and Thurman Toal and sister, Cynthia Jean Toal.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 4 at 11 am at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Oklahoma City, OK. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made in support of the Kyle Toal Memorial Scholarship Fund at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. Checks should be made payable to the “OU Foundation” and can be mailed to PO Box 258856, OKC, OK 73125-8856. Please include “For the Kyle Toal Memorial Scholarship Fund” in a note or a memo along with the gift.
In Kyle’s honor please live life to the fullest, make memories with your loved ones, and remember to live each day as if it could be your last.