Thomas Joseph Rother passed away with all his family at his bedside on Friday, November 17, 2023, at St. Katharine Drexel in El Reno, OK.
Tom was born to Franz and Gertrude (Smith) Rother on June 2, 1940, in Okarche. Tom graduated from Holy Trinity Catholic High School in 1958. He was a lifelong resident of the community in which he farmed and was a rural mail carrier for 30 years. He also served in the Oklahoma Air National Guard. Tom was a member of the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Catholic Order of Foresters, Knights of Columbus Blessed Stanley Rother Council, and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. He also served on the Holy Trinity School Board for many years. Tom enjoyed golfing, hunting, and watching sports especially when his children and grandchildren played.
Everyone knows Tom never met a stranger. He loved to tell old stories especially of his children playing ball. You could always find Tom sitting in front of his TV watching his favorite team, NY Yankees, wearing his Yankee hat, Yankee shirt and Yankee blanket. He never missed a game and could rattle off all the stats. Tom was able to travel with family to New York their last season in the old Yankee Stadium.
On May 1, 1965, Tom married Martha Liebl. They were blessed with 58 years of marriage with 6 children, 16 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Tom always said he was blessed with a good life and family. He is survived by his loving wife, Martha Rother. He is also survived by their children and their spouses, Patrick and Keri Rother of Okarche, Douglas and Lisa Rother of Yukon, Janis and Raymond Flatt of Yukon, Michelle and Matt Smith of Edmond, Kelly and Kara Rother of Yukon, his sister, Sr. Marita Rother, ASC, of Wichita, KS; Grandchildren, Kelby, Kyle (Monica), Kristin, Kassidy Rother; Trey, Tyler, Hope and Kinsley Rother; Spencer (Paxton) and Riley (Brooke) Flatt; Avery, Gavin, and Levi Smith; Lane, Canon, and Colt Rother; and Great-grandchildren, Presley and Fallon Flatt, Wager and Weston Flatt with two additional great-grandbabies due in December and February.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers Jim Rother and Blessed Stanley Rother; sister, Carolyn Ann Rother; infant daughter, Julie Ann Rother; and granddaughter, Lindsay Nicole Flatt.
A prayer service for Thomas Joseph Rother will be held at 7p.m. on Tuesday, November 21st at Holy Trinity Catholic Church with Deacon John Teague officiating. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, November 22 at 10 a.m. in Okarche with Archbishop Paul Coakley, Archbishop Emeritus Eusebius Beltran, Reverend Cory Stanley, Reverend Don Wolf, Reverend Stephen Bird, and Reverend Lance Warren.
The burial will follow at Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home.
The family would like to thank the staff at St. Katharine Drexel and the staff at Legacy Home Hospice for their care of our dad, husband, and grandpa.
Donations can be made to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine, or a charity of your choice in memory of Thomas Rother.
