Submitted by

Karen Stewart

Thomas Lauvelle McCallick

Thomas Lauvelle "Tommy" McCallick, longtime resident of Ponca City, passed away early Friday morning, Feb. 19, 2010, at St. Mary's Hospital in Enid. He was 82.
Tommy was born Nov. 11, 1927, in Royal Oak, Oakland County, near Detroit, Mich., the son of Joseph Thomas McCallick and Sybil Alice Settles McCallick. He moved with his family at an early age to the Roosevelt, Okla., area. He received his early education in the Roosevelt, Pleasant Valley and Cold Springs schools. Tommy had seen many parts of the country and was employed at various jobs that included the Frisco Railroad Company, polishing monuments at a monument company, working in a bicycle factory and milking cows on a farm.
He was married to Edith Bottrell on July 1, 1950, in Ponca City. Tommy worked for the Bird Sheet Metal Company of Ponca City for 20 years prior to being employed by the Ponca City Board of Education for 20 years, retiring in 1991. He was a 57 year member of the Community Christian Church where he served as a deacon and member of the choir. He had played softball in earlier years as well as coaching various young boys' teams. Tommy also enjoyed playing basketball, playing on many teams and had even played a game against the Harlem Globetrotters. He also coached both girls and boys basketball teams. He also helped with the Campfire Girls and camping events of the Boy Scouts. His enjoyments included spending time with his family, gardening, fishing, playing golf, playing his harmonica, metal detecting and rummage sales.
He is survived by his wife, Edith, of the home; six children, Ruby Alice Fuqua and husband, Robert of Hendersonville, Tenn., Edith Kay Hall and husband, J.R. of Paoli, Okla., Jo Arlena McCallick, Thomas Lee McCallick, Edward James McCallick and Donald Ray McCallick, all of Ponca City; eight grandchildren, Jay, Charity, Erick, Sabrina, Alixanne, Cache, Kandice and Kara; eight great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters, Margie Alice, Marian Elizabeth and Mary Frances Soukup and one infant sister; two brothers, Joseph William and Herbert Edward.
A graveside committal service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 22, 2010, at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery, Ponca City, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 11 a.m. at Community Christian Church with Pastor Mark Lyon presiding. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Honorary casket bearers will be Gene Hayslip, Norman Humble, Joe Underwood, Fred Ownbey and Ron Edingfield.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Christian Church, Choir Fund, 2109 West Grand, Ponca City, OK 74601