Thomas M. Poteet Jr

With great sadness, the family of Thomas Maudrell Poteet Jr. of Del City, Oklahoma, announces the passing of their beloved husband, father and grandfather on Sunday, March 15, 2015. Thomas, age 79, died at the OU Medical Hospital in Oklahoma City where he suffered through several illnesses but finally succumbed to pneumonia at the end.

Thomas is preceded in death by his father, Thomas Maudrell Poteet, Sr. and his mother, Vera Poteet. He is survived in death by his loving wife Janice Poteet; his son’s family, Thomas Maudrell Poteet III, Daughter-in-law Robin and their children Evelyn and Andrew Poteet. He is also survived by his daughter’s family, Andrea Johnson, Son-in-law Jeffrey Johnson and the two youngest granddaughters, Emma-Leigh and Jessica Johnson.

Thomas was born on December 12, 1935, in Troup, Texas. He lived in several places as his father ‘Pete’ worked as an oil field worker. He officially became a Sooner when his father purchased land in Latimer County, Oklahoma, in 1950. The home place, in Wilburton, was called the “Circle P” Ranch. Thomas graduated from the Wilburton high school and attended Eastern Oklahoma A & M Junior College, in Wilburton, where he was Vice-President of Phi Theta Kappa. He then went to the University of Oklahoma, majoring in Journalism and Public Relations. He was President of Sigma Delta Chi, now the Society for Professional Journalists. He also wrote for the University’s campus newspaper, the Oklahoma Daily and the School of Journalism’s newspaper, the Quill.

Thomas would meet Janice while at OU. Upon college graduation, they married on August 16, 1958. Their favorite song was “Love, ’til the Twelve of Never,” and they truly fulfilled those words. Upon his death they had been married 56 years. From his hospital bed they held hands, making each medical decision in favor of the other spouse, Dad thinking of her until the end and Janice taking care of him until ….the 12th of never.

Thomas and Janice established their home in Del City, Oklahoma. Thomas was very active in the city being on the Del City Planning Commission. He was also on the Oklahoma City Chambers of Commerce. He used his advertising and marketing career, working for American Public Relations Company, Hall and Thompson Advertising Company, the Economy Company, Oklahoma Natural Gas Company and then for Standard Life Insurance Company.

Thomas was drafted for active duty in the United States Army in January 1959 to October 1962 years. His time in the Army sent him to Boot camp in Fort Ord, California, Fort Rucker in Enterprise, Alabama, and then to Fort McFerson in Atlanta, Georgia. Thomas was very proud and honored to have been in the United States Army. Throughout the rest of his life he would continue to be a very patriotic American citizen.

Thomas was an avid wood-worker and a competitive shooter serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Sooner State Sporting Clays Association.

Thomas and Janice began attending the Del City church of Christ in 1971. Thomas was a Sunday school class teacher for 41 years, a Deacon for 10 years and an Elder for 29 years.

There will be a Laying in State on Sunday, March 22, 2015, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home, 5005 SE 29th Street, Del City, Oklahoma, 405-672-1321.

Services will be held at the Del City church of Christ, 1901 Vickie Dr., Del City, Oklahoma, at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, March 24, 2015.

For those interested, charitable contributions may be given in lieu of flowers to the Eagle Christian Ministries, 1301 N. Drexel Blvd, OKC 73107, which is a recovery center for young women.

Arrangements under the direction of Bill Eisenhour Funeral Home, Del City, Oklahoma.