HARRY OTHO THOMAS Jr.

1954 - 2023

HARRY OTHO THOMAS, JR. Funeral services for Harry Otho Thomas, Jr. will be held at 10:00 am Thursday May 18, 2023, at the Maranatha Freewill Baptist Church with Pastor Dennis Heath officiating. Burial will follow at the Hillcrest Cemetery, with Air Force Honors and assisted by Jaxon Thomas (grandson), Austin Thomas (nephew), Kaden Thomas (nephew), Jimmy Bray (brother-in-law), Rusty Dunning (brother-in-law), Shaun Dewbre (family friend) as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Carl Thomas (cousin) and Diane Wyche (family friend). The family visitation will be on Wednesday evening from 7:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Craddock Funeral Home. Harry Otho Thomas Jr. of Ardmore, Oklahoma passed away on May 13th, 2023, at home surrounded by family. Harry Otho was also known by just Otho or Big O which was appropriate not only for his stature but also his bigger then-life personality and smile. He was born on January 21St, 1954 to Harry and Jerry LaNel Thomas in Kermit, Texas. He graduated high school in Fort Morgan Colorado in 1972 and attended his 50th class reunion this past September. After graduation, he enlisted in the United State Air Force where he was sent to basic training in San Antonio, Texas. After basic training, he was stationed at Upper Heyford Air Force Base in England and Hollomon Air Force Base in Alamogordo, New Mexico. He served for 4 years as an Aircraft Mechanic with the rank of sergeant. Harry Otho married the love of his life, Bessie Gay Dunning, which he met while both were attending high school and the two were married on March 17th, 1973. They went on to bring two wonderful sons into their lives, Otho Charles in November of 1979 and followed by Nathan Joel in June of 1982. He has 6 grandchildren, 1 on the way, and 1 great grandchild who he adored whole heartedly. Harry Otho and Gay proudly celebrated their 50th Wedding anniversary this past March. After his discharge from the military, he started his long career in the oil field. He was well known and respected in this field. He never left a job site without making at least one new friend and multiple colleagues laugh. This is not to say he didn't yell to get to get the job done to his standards, as his sons probably know better than anyone. His first job was at the Dollar Hide Plant in Kermit, Texas for Unocal. He was transferred to Healdton, Oklahoma in 1984. His many positions included, production foreman, field superintendent, production superintendent, completion superintendent, and consultant. His father always told him to never retire so in 2020 he fulfilled his life-long dream of owning and operating his own oil company, Thomas Oil Company, with his youngest son Nathan. He was also an avid hunter, fisherman, golfer, and huge OU football fan. He loved going to bible study and church at Maranatha Free Will Baptist Church where he was a member and served on the Board. He worked to receive and had the pleasure of the church giving him the title of Deacon this past March. His greatest joy in life was spending time with family and especially his amazing yet ornery grandkids, which they probably got mainly from him. He was preceded in life by his loving parents Harry Sr. and Jerry Thomas, and both sets of Grandparents Charles and Alta Mae Thomas and Hugh and Lois Polly. He was survived by his wife of 50 years, Gay Thomas of Ardmore, Oklahoma; son Otho and wife Tiffany of Ardmore, Oklahoma; son Nathan and wife Amanda if Taloga, Oklahoma; sister Susie Reagan and spouse Ken of Seattle, Washington; sister Wilda Bray and spouse Jimmy of Eufaula, Oklahoma; brother Curtis Thomas of Seminole, Oklahoma; granddaughter Maddie Thomas of Ardmore, Oklahoma; granddaughter Jacee Seal of Taloga, Oklahoma; grandson Jaxon Thomas of Ardmore, Oklahoma; Granddaughter Victoria Manning of Ardmore, Oklahoma; grandson Bryer Thomas of Taloga, Oklahoma; grandson Nixon Thomas of Taloga, Oklahoma; great granddaughter Cora Sage Seal of Taloga, Oklahoma; Mother-in-Law Clementine Peters of Bentonville, Arkansas; Father-in-Law Charlie Dunning; Sister-in-Laws Janet Batchelor and Rebecca Oldemeyer and spouse Dave; Brother-in-Laws Chuck Dunning, Rusty Dunning and spouse Jill, Joel Dunning and spouse Katy; and many nieces and nephews.