Memorial services for Tommie Allen McFarlin will be held at 10 am, Wednesday, February 8, Christ United Methodist Church, Pastor Eli McHenry officiating. Burial to follow at Highland Cemetery, Inola at 3 pm. Tommie passed Thursday, February 2 at St. John’s Hospital. The son of Joe and Edith (Adams) McFarlin, Tom was born October 3, 1942, in Claremore.
Tom was a graduate of Claremore High School, Oklahoma Military Academy and Oklahoma State University of Agriculture and Applied Science and earned a master’s degree from the University of Southern California.
He married the love of his life, Carol Ann Ross, on January 1, 1963, and embarked on a life of adventure raising four children as they traveled the world through Tom’s military career. Tom served his country for 27 years in the United States Army as an aviator, serving two tours in Viet Nam and retired in 1992 as a Colonel.
Tommie and Carol retired to Claremore where they enjoyed living in the home he built, hosting many large and lively family events, including an annual 4th of July fireworks display that kept his grandchildren entertained and educated in the science and marvel of pyrotechnics. He was an active church member, a wise counselor and a genuine friend. Tom valued family above all else and was a devoted father and beloved husband. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Tommie was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Johnnie, Dannie and Jimmie, and his sister, Mary Jane McFarlin Spurlock. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, his children: Sherri Welsh and husband, John, of Texas, Renate Crocker and husband, Will, of Texas, Cindy Burdett and husband, Clint, of South Carolina, Jason McFarlin and wife, Giau, of Claremore; grandchildren: Caleb, Josh, Jennetta and Chris Welsh, Caroline and Katie Burdett, and Anna McFarlin; brother Bennie McFarlin of Texas; and sisters Susanne Grigsby, Kathryn Turner and husband, Tommy, and Christine Stanford and husband, Jay, all of Texas, as well as many, nephews, nieces and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, 317 S. Davis Ave., Claremore, OK 74017.