Thomas Avery Wheatley, age 90 of Stillwater, Oklahoma peacefully went to his eternal home on January 27, 2025. A memorial service will be 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at the Strode Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend David Wheatley officiating. Strode Funeral Home and Cremation is in charge of the arrangements.


Thomas was born on August 26, 1934 to Avery Earl and Myrtle Bessie (Crispin) Wheatley in Stillwater. Educated until the 8th grade, Thomas went on to marry Loretta "Jean" Wheatley on June 18, 1953, in Perry, Oklahoma.


Thomas worked hard for many years as a heavy equipment operator, working on pipelines, in the oil field, and doing dirt work across the country and at home. He was a member of Bible Baptist Church of Stillwater, where he drove a bus for many years.


In his younger years, Thomas enjoyed fishing, hunting, and spending time on his dozer. Much of Payne County has met the bucket of his dozer in the last 60 years. His service was honored by the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce in 2012, and he was presented with an award for Agribusiness of the year. In his later years he enjoyed reading, sharing his stories with family and friends, and watching his great-grandchildren grow.


Thomas is preceded in death by his parents, his siblings Earl, Ella, Floyd, Virgil,
and Fred; and his great grandson, Gabriel.


He is survived by his wife, Loretta of 71 years; sons Thomas as well as David and his wife Diane; grandchildren Angela, Joshua, Eric, James, and Zackery; and many great grandchildren, his niece Vicky and her husband Thomas Brumfield;