Thomas David Edie

Thomas “Tom” David Edie was born at 10:24 a.m. on May 3, 1943, in Oakland, Iowa, with his great-grandmother Bowman lovingly serving as the midwife. Welcomed as the second child of Charles and Jeanne Edie, Tom grew up surrounded by the warmth of family and the strength of enduring love. At the age of 81, on Good Friday, April 18, 2025, at 11:13 p.m., Tom peacefully entered God’s pearly gates, leaving behind a legacy of cherished memories, deep faith, and unwavering love.

Tom grew up with his parents, two sisters, and one brother. His parents instilled in him a deep appreciation for the importance of family from an early age, a value that shaped his character and defined the way he lived his life.

When Tom was seven, the family relocated from Iowa to Kansas, settling near Liberal. He attended Wide Awake Country School for both elementary and middle school—a small rural school that left a lasting impression on him. The family lived in the community housing at the Northern Natural Gas Plant, where they shared many cherished memories.

It was during these formative years that Tom’s lifelong passions for gardening and hunting began to take root. In fact, his enthusiasm for hunting sometimes rivaled his interest in learning. One memorable recess, his teacher granted him permission to check his traps. When Tom returned, he brought back more than just a story—he carried with him a rather “unique” scent that amused and surprised his classmates. The teacher, not entirely charmed by his newfound cologne, promptly sent him home to change. Upon arriving home, Tom swapped into fresh clothes but left the offending outfit in the bathroom with the door shut. The lingering odor was so potent it nearly caused his mom to pass out, cementing the incident as a legendary moment in family history!

Among his many adventures, Tom had a mischievous pet crow that became infamous for terrorizing the garden hose. Ever the storyteller, Tom liked to say the crow helped him invent the very first soaker hose. To everyone's amusement, the crow would often call out "Mama," and its playful antics kept the family on their toes and always hoppin’.

He went on to attend high school in Liberal, graduating with the Class of 1961. Shortly after, Tom enlisted in the United States Navy, proudly serving his country from July 1961 to July 1965. During the Vietnam War, he was stationed aboard the newly commissioned destroyer, the U.S.S. Buchanan, where he served as a fire control and missile technician.

In July of 1966, Tom met the love of his life, Katherine Kay Harvey, at Grace Baptist Temple in Liberal. What began as a whirlwind romance blossomed into fifty-eight beautiful years of marriage, eight children, and a lifetime filled with love, laughter, and unwavering devotion.

While working at Beech Aircraft in Liberal, Tom felt a strong calling to the ministry. Guided by that conviction, he moved his family to Springfield, Missouri, to attend Bible Baptist College, where he earned a degree in theology. Committed to deepening his knowledge and broadening his impact, he continued his education at Southwest Missouri State University.

After his parents relocated to Oklahoma, it wasn’t long before Tom chose to move his own family nearby, valuing the closeness and connection of extended family. He began working as an electrician for General Motors, where he dedicated twenty-seven years before retiring.

During those years, Tom created some of his most treasured memories—fishing in quiet waters, tending to his beloved garden, attending band concerts, coaching his daughters’ softball teams, and cheering them on at basketball games. He found joy in teaching Sunday school and serving as a deacon and pastor.  Additionally, he enjoyed traveling, taking many trips to Red River, New Mexico; Branson, Missouri; and back home to Iowa.

Nobody would have called Tom a carpenter, but that didn’t stop him from building barns, sheds, and additions to the family home with his own two hands. He loved involving his family in his projects, encouraging his children to lend a hand in both construction and gardening. Whether it was “choosing” a row to weed in the garden, digging the "irrigation" or helping to hammer nails and hold boards, Tom made sure everyone felt included. He treasured the special moments he shared with each of his children, whether it was trips to the dump or Buford White’s, giving back rubs, or hunting for treasures at flea markets. The family home was always alive with music—whether through whistling, singing, or dancing—which added a vibrant and heartfelt rhythm to their shared experiences. Each moment with Tom reflected his unique charm and love for connection.

As his family grew, Tom continued to nurture connections. He took great joy in spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, attending their events whenever he could, and creating lasting memories across generations.

Tom’s most treasured accomplishments were raising his family in a Christ-centered home and nurturing the unique gifts and talents that each of his children brought into the world. He took great pride in encouraging their individual paths and celebrating who they were created to be.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Jeanne (Blevins) Edie; sister, Vickie Orth; and infant sons, David and Ronald Edie. 

He is survived by his wife, Katherine (Harvey) Edie of the home, six children, Faith Edie-Schoonover and husband Todd of Choctaw, Oklahoma, Jennifer Fonseca and partner Steve Burke of Ithaca, New York, Roxanna Beggs and husband Robert of Bethel Acres, Oklahoma, Dani Turner and husband Kevin of Bethel Acres, Oklahoma, Crystal Bowie and husband Keith of Tecumseh, Oklahoma, and David Warta and wife Beverly of Tecumseh, Oklahoma. He is also survived by twenty - five beloved grandchildren, thirty-three great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. He is survived by one sister, Roxie Gilpin and husband  Richard, and one brother, Mike Edie and wife Carolyn. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

A Celebration of Life service honoring Tom will be held at Sharon Baptist Church in Shawnee, Oklahoma at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Services are under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh and Pastor Clint Dawkins.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Tom’s honor to the Sharon Baptist Church Children’s Ministry at 19002 Gordon Cooper Drive, Shawnee, Oklahoma 74801 or to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org/oklahoma.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday April 24, 2025 and 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday April 25, 2025, with family gathering from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Sharon Baptist Church with Reverend Clint Dawkins, of Sharon Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Hopewell Cemetery, Bethel Acres, OK under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.