District: 4
Hometown: Oklahoma City; Oklahoma County
Birthplace: Norman, Oklahoma
Spouse: Ida Maude Brett
Children: William Thomas Brett, and Marcia Brett
Tom Brett received his BS degree in Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma. He received his law degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1948 and, in 1969, attained his Ph.D in Psychology from National Christian University. Brett was state civil defense director from 1955 to 1962.
During World War II, Brett was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart Medal. He was recalled to military service in 1950 with the Oklahoma National Guard. He served in Korea as a major and retired from the U.S. Air Force Reserve as a lieutenant colonel.
Judge Brett was elected to the Court of Criminal Appeals in 1964. He is the third member of his family to serve on the Court of Criminal Appeals. His father, Rutherford Brett, was on the court in 1916-17 and later served on the Supreme Court. His brother, John was a member of the Court of Criminal Appeals during the period 1946-1964.
Judge Brett was a member of the Delta Theta Phi and Phi Delta Phi legal fraternities, a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the He was a member of the Board of Directors , Methodist church. Redlands Council, Girl Scouts of America and for three years served America, sponsored by the Oklahoma County Bar Association. as post advisor of the Explorer Post 605 of the Boy Scouts of