Thomas Eugene Courtney
April 21, 1932 - May 11, 2025
Thomas Eugene Courtney, known as Tommy Gene by older sisters, was born on April 21, 1932, in Oklahoma City, passed from life on May 11, 2025 at age 93. A rosary will take place at Trout Funeral Home Chapel at 6:00 pm on Friday, May 16th. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted on Saturday, May 17th at 10:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Ponca City officiated by Father Carson Krittenbrink. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.
The family moved to Tahlequah, OK. He began working at an early age watching merchandise at Cherokee County sale barn, continued to work a variety of jobs during the depression years, and learned the value of hard work and the dollar, until his senior year when he entered the Airforce during the Korean conflict in 1949, as Staff Sgt. at Adak on the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. He was responsible for the teletype machines making good use of his natural mathematical abilities, serving 3 years.
While in the service he exchanged love letters with his sweetheart, Patricia Zoeller, married her on June 13, 1953, as he was leaving the service, moving them to Tahlequah, OK, upon his discharge. There he attended Northeastern University receiving a bachelor’s degree in science, majoring in Chemistry and Math.
Upon graduation, Tom took wife and family to Ponca City, OK, to begin career at Conoco Oil as a laboratory chemist. His expertise with crude separation instruments offered opportunity to travel to other refineries across the U.S. and England. While in college he joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard as 2nd Lieutenant, serving 3 years. Many years Tom was involved in the American Legion, the V.F.W., and the Knights of Columbus & St. Mary’s Church.
He enjoyed golfing where he made five hole in one shots, an avid reader of Western novels, doing daily newspaper crosswords, playing poker, and family gatherings. He loved his mama’s sour cream chocolate cake.
Preceded in death by: his parents Chester and Jimmie Courtney; three brothers: Jack, Bill, & Richard E; five sisters: Bea Mask, Betty Jo Defalco, Nancy Sims, Voncile Hunt, and Jimmie Courtney; son: David Alan Courtney, grandson: Max Braden Courtney; special niece: Rita Courtney-Bailey
Survived by: his wife, of the home; Patricia Eleanor Zoeller-Courtney and daughter, Teresa A. Courtney; son: Larry & Angie Courtney of Miami, OK; daughters, Sharon & Steve Fields of Tulsa, OK, and Linda Courtney of Ponca City, OK; sisters, LuElla Townsend of Galena, MO, and Jonnie Faye Williams of Tulsa, OK; eleven grandchildren, Carrie Kirkes, Stephanie and Mike Wilder, Chief Master Sgt. Seth and Julie Shan, Farah Parker, Brittney Bostick, Mia Courtney, Bridget Courtney, Kassidy and Jerimah Johnson; plus three step-grandchildren, Sumre and Jesse Anderson, Steve and Jennifer Fields, and Seante and Jeremy Helms; fourteen great-grandchildren, Paige Kirkes, Austin & Pricilla Kirkes, Jacob Wilder, Victoria Wilder, Alex Fox, Damon Smith, Cierra Callahan, Thomas (Tom’s namesake) Callahan, Ethan & Haylee Overby, Emma Bostick, Brennon Bostick, Nolen Bostick, Atrí Manamon, and Carter Pagano; 8 great-great-grandchildren, Dawsyn, Sawyer, Payten & Suttyn Kirkes, Ashton Overbey, and Hudson, Kora & Easton Johnson; and many, many nieces, nephews, and greats.
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