Tommy Eugene Gripe, age 63 of Yale, passed away on Thursday,October 30, 2014 at the Hillcrest Hospital in Tulsa with his family by his side. Graveside services will be held at 10:00a.m., Saturday, November 1, 2014 at Lawson Cemetery, Yale, OK.
Arrangements are entrusted to Palmer Marler Funeral Home, Yale, OK.
Tommy was born on October 31, 1950 in Yale, Oklahoma to Buddyand LaVern (Seward) Gripe. He grew up in Maramec, graduatingfrom Quay High School in 1968. Their class was the last to graduate from Quay. He entered the U.S. Army in 1970, servingduring the Vietnam Conflict. After returning from the service, hemarried the love of his life Deby Bingaman on May 10, 1975 in Maramec. To this union Cory and Cody were born. They made their home in Yale.Tommy began working for Moore Business Forms in Stillwater, working for 27 years until they closed their business. In 2000, he began workingas a mill operator for WebCo in Mannford. Tommy loved working with hissons in Boy Scouts, it became very dear to his heart. He became theBoy Scout Troop Leader in Yale, and enjoyed working at the Will Rogers Scout Reservation summer camps. Both Cory and Cody achieved the Eagle Scout Rank. He also became a mentor for several other youth members to help them achieve the Eagle Scout rank.Tommy was Lodge Advisor of the Order of the Arrow. He was awarded theSilver Beaver and the Founder’s Award. Tommy was also a member of theV.F.W.
Survivors include his wife Deby of the home, sons Cory Eugene Gripe and wife Ashley of Honolulu, Hawaii, Cody Lynn Gripe of Yale, brother Dale Gripe, sisters Cynthia Bowman and Carolyn Dodson, father Buddy Gripe of Maramec, Ok.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Laverne Gripe, grandparents Millard and Hazel Gripe, and Willy and Naomi Seward.
Condolences and online guest book are available at www.palmermarlerfh.com.
