Thomas Ardell Wise and Marilyn Carole Wise

1937 - 2023

Thomas Ardell Wise
& Marilyn Carole
(Frese) Wise
HIGHLAND VILLAGE, Texas - Thomas Ardell Wise and Marilyn Carole (Frese) Wise of Highland Village, Texas have passed away. Marilyn was 84, Thomas was 85. Thomas Wise was born July 6, 1937 and passed away January 11, 2023. He was the son of the late Samuel and Madeline Wise of Delaware. Marilyn Wise was born December 24, 1937 and passed away October 21, 2022. She was the daughter of the late Harry and M. Lourine Frese of Delaware.
Thomas and Marilyn were high school sweethearts at Caesar Rodney in Dover, DE where they played clarinet in the band. Thomas went on to earn a Mechanical Engineering degree at University of Delaware while Marilyn began classes in education then later earned a Registered Nurse degree and was an active member of the Red Cross.
They were married on August 30, 1958 celebrating over 64 years of marriage.
Thomas served in the U.S. Army Reserves, had a long and successful career at General Electric in several states, and owned TrueValue Hardware stores. Marilyn was a homemaker and worked as a nurse in hospitals and private care. They returned to their home state of Delaware after raising their three children and lived there for many years before recently moving to Texas.
Thomas and Marilyn took great pride in keeping a beautiful home and gardens. They also traveled to several countries and had many adventures including riding a camel in Egypt, visiting Jerusalem in Israel, walking on the Great Wall of China, and touring Russia.
Thomas was an avid reader. He enjoyed working on his Model A and Model T cars, woodworking, and reconditioning antique farm equipment. He was a member of the Masons. Marilyn enjoyed playing the piano, needlework, and singing. She was a member of a large Sweet Adeline group that took first place in a New England states competition. They attended the Methodist Church.
In addition to his parents; Thomas was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Wise and sister-in-law Dolores Wise. He is survived by his sister, Doris and her husband Donald Betts of Delaware; his sister, Hazelle and her husband Bill Kaylor of Idaho; and his sister-in-law, Gail Wise of Massachusetts; along with many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents; Marilyn was preceded in death by her sister, Lorna Mattern of Florida. She is survived by her brother-in-law, Richard Mattern.
Together, Thomas and Marilyn are survived by their three children, a son-in-law, a daughter in law, seven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. They are their son Robert Wise of Texas and his family- daughter Michelle and son-in-law Rigo Abrego of California, and his son Stephen Wise of Texas; Sharon and her husband Theodore Gooch of New Hampshire and their family- daughter Holly Gooch and her children Esther and Oscar Bronwyn of Maine, daughter Emily and her husband Bryan Boucher of New Hampshire; Ivy Gooch and her partner Bret Bradley of Massachusetts; and their son Kenneth Wise and his wife Katherine and their children Eric Wise and Mark Wise, all of California.
A private service for Thomas and Marilyn will be held at a future date. Burial is at Barratts Chapel Cemetery, Frederica.
The family requests memorial contributions to Barratts Chapel Memorial Fund, 6486 Bay Road, Frederica, DE 19946.
Online condolences may be made via www.pippinfuneralhome.com.