August 4, 1944 - July 16, 2017 YUKON Thomas Estel Petty, of Yukon, was born on Aug. 4, 1944, to Estel and Judith Brookhart Petty in Oklahoma City and died on July 16, 2017, in Oklahoma City. He attended Millard Fillmore Elementary School and U.S. Grant High School from which he graduated in 1962. Tom graduated from OU with a degree in business administration in 1966. He then received his draft notice, enlisted in the U.S. Army, and, in Jan. of 1967, was sworn in. He completed Airborne Parachute Training and Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in Jan. 1968. Tom was sent to Vietnam, and on Jan. 1, 1969, he began serving as Platoon Leader of B Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Infantry, 11th Brigade, Americal Division. One month later, he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. Tom served as Platoon Leader until he assumed command of B Company in July and later, E Company, where he served until completion of his time in Vietnam. For his service in Vietnam, Tom was awarded two Bronze Stars for Valor, a Bronze Star for Merit, three Purple Hearts, the Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Stars, a Combat Infantryman's Badge, a Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and a Valorous Unit Citation Badge. In his book, "What Deepest Remains," Loran Randles, one of Tom's medics in Vietnam, wrote, "To Lt. Thomas Petty, ? the good man who led us and gave us a better chance of making it." and, "Lt. Tom Petty was a great leader. He was bright, charismatic, funny, tough and projected a sort of fearlessness." Tom was all of that, and more, to those who knew and loved him. Tom was married to Fatima Louise "Tima" Bilbrey on June 8, 1972, in Winston-Salem, NC until her death in 2010. Tom was proud to be a native Oklahoman and was a treasure trove of information about the state gleaned from "The Chronicles of Oklahoma" which he received as a Lifetime Member of the Oklahoma Historical Society. He was a voracious reader and collector of non-fiction books, mostly relating to war and history. For a number of years, he was a letter carrier for the USPS in Oklahoma City and was a member of the NALC Branch 458. He was a member of the Hill 4-11 Association, a group of men with whom he formed close bonds while serving in Vietnam. Until his illness, he had been a regular member of a Vietnam veterans group at the Vet Center in OKC. He was a member of the NRA, had been a member of the Sportsman's Club and loved hunting a wide variety of birds and game. He was preceded in death by his parents and a number of beloved hunting dogs. He is survived by his sisters, Ellen Petty Gilbert (Paul), of Allen, TX; and Mary Alice Petty Wallis (John), of Sacramento, CA; his nephew, Ryan Gilbert (Deet), of Charlotte, NC; his niece, Emily Gilbert Myhre (Nick), and his grandnephew and grandniece, Luke and Rachel Myhre, all of Allen, TX; and numerous Petty and Brookhart cousins. His cremains will be inurned at Arlington National Cemetery. A Come & Go Celebration in his honor will be held Saturday, Aug. 5, from 11 to 1 p.m. at Gaillardia Country Club, 5300 Gaillardia Blvd., OKC. The family requests memorial gifts be made to the Leslie J. Stottle Memorial Scholarship Fund, payable to: Hill 4-11 Association, 630 Woodside Dr, Kent, OH 44240-26664; or to the Letter Carriers Scholarship Fund, 221 S Eagle Ln, Oklahoma City, OK 73128.
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On the anniversary of Toms passing, I am reminded of just how special he was. While our bonds were forged on the battlefield, Tom and I remained close for almost 50 years. I admired his caring about his soldiers like he did about his family. Tom did hid duty in the deepest sense of that responsibility. His passing was a loss for all of us, but rejoining his parents and Fatima was surely one of those great joys of our existence. God speed!
Bob Frank
Friend
July 15, 2020
My dear Uncle Tom, you are dearly missed. You're infectious laughter will always be in my heart. Aunt Tima and you always made me and Kimberly feel loved and special. You'll always be a hero to me.
Love always,
Your Niece Michele
Michele (Charles) Granger
September 9, 2017
1950: I met Thomas in first grade at Millard Fillmore grade school. I knew he was smart because he always raised his hand to answer the teacher's questions. I knew he was brave because In about the 4th grade Thomas fell on the hard tile floor of the classroom and broke his teeth. He never cried. I knew he was a leader because sometimes while in grade school he was picked to be in the Junior Police and helped the crossing guard see the children safely across the street. 1962: We graduated from US Grant Jr & Sr High School. Thomas went to college, I went to California. 2002: I saw Thomas again at our 40th High School reunion. He had been to war and to hell and back. 2017: I knew he was gone when my husband Bob and I sat with Thomas on July 16 while we waiting for the funeral home to pick him up and take him away. He was my friend and a good man. I will forever remember Thomas.
Marian Wright Mushtare
Friend
August 5, 2017
Tom was strong and humorous to the end. We were with him on Saturday night before he passed away Sunday morning. They brought his supper of chicken pot pie and he struggled to take a few bites then asked me to bring him a hamburger. Promised to bring him one after church. Didn't get to see him again.Tom is a hero.
Donald Coates
Friend
August 2, 2017
Tom, It was a pleasure to know you. Thank you for your conscientious leadership in Vietnam and your friendship during our many years of Hill 4-11 reunions. Your masterful storytelling with ironic humorous twists will me greatly missed. May you rest in peace.
Don Duell
Military
July 26, 2017
Thomas, I remember going to grade school and high school with you. You always keep everyone in stitches with your humor. Thank you for serving your country. The last time I saw you was at a reunion I attended with my cousin Joan Pritchett Holland and Chris. May God give your family comfort and peace and may you rest in peace.
Janet Wilmoth Head
Classmate
July 25, 2017
I am privileged to know Tom for almost fifty years. We served for a time in 1969 as fellow platoon leaders in B Co, 3/1. We were able to reconnect through multiple Hill 4-11 reunions all around the Country. Tom lived his life to the fullest and I am proud to call him friend. Rest in peace old friend.
Greg Smith
July 24, 2017
Tom and I were together in June and July 1969. It was clear to me and to all others that Tom was a leader of men. His devotion to those in his care was unsurpassed by anyone. I was proud to have known him over the years and thoroughly enjoyed his company. With his declining health, I became concerned about his outlook. But, he remained strong and positive, a reflection of his character. May he rest in peace!
Bob Frank
July 24, 2017
Lt. Petty, It was a privilege to have known you and to have served under you in Vietnam. There are a lot of thoughts about this time but one that sticks out for me was you being very fond of the Beatles Rocky Racoon and singing it at the top of your lungs on one or two occasions. There was no doubt that you grabbed life by the throats and loved it.
RIP, brother
Tim Faulds 2nd platoon Medic
Tim Fauls
July 24, 2017
So proud to have known Tom and his family since he was a child. He had such a keen wit that provided much laughter. I am impressed and thankful for his admirable service to our country. May his family find comfort and peace at this great loss of such a dear brother and uncle.
Carolyn L Cody Stewart
July 24, 2017
Michael, Pamel & Drew Petty
July 24, 2017
Rest in peace brother
Joseph Graziano
July 24, 2017
Rest in peace, Thomas --- may God bless and comfort your family and loved ones at this very difficult time.
Meredith Adams-Wade
July 23, 2017
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
July 23, 2017
Proud to have known Tom will miss your witt and humor and it goes without saying you gave a lot to your country.
Toney Reed
July 23, 2017
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