Services for Thomas Wayne Buckley, Ada, are 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 21, 2022 at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
He passed from this life March 16, 2022 in Tishomingo, Oklahoma at 75 years old.
Tom was born February 6, 1947 to Wayne and Joyce Alstott Buckley in Brookings, South Dakota.
He spent his childhood in Norman and later Shawnee, Oklahoma before settling in Ada, where he graduated Ada High School in 1965.
Following graduation, Tom enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served from 1966 to 1969 on board the USS Ranger aircraft carrier.
In 1967, he married his high school sweetheart, Paula Richardville. Together, they raised two children, Aleesha and Nicholas.
As a young father, Tom earned his Bachelors’ Degree in Biology from East Central University in 1974.
When Tom was a small boy, he sold papers at the University of Oklahoma’s Memorial Stadium. This sparked a love for Sooner sports, and he was rarely known to miss a televised game or event, whether it be football or gymnastics.
Tom was a skilled machinist and carpenter and enjoyed fishing in his downtime.
Those who knew him will attest to his patience and quiet strength. That patience, along with his sense of humor, made becoming a Papa an easy transition for Tom.
He was always happy to oblige a grandchild when they wanted him to read a book or challenge them to a game of Monopoly.
Tom is survived by Paula Buckley, of the home; two children, Aleesha Christian and her husband Joshua, Nicholas Buckley and wife Carrie as well as five grandchildren, Jacob Christian, Hannah Christian, Sarah Christian, Nathaniel Buckley, and William Buckley.
Bearers will be Nicholas Buckley, Nathaniel Buckley, Joshua Christian, Jacob Christian, Joe Krause, and Dallas Coulson.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada
