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Birth: |
Jun. 6, 1955
Marines
Onslow County
North Carolina, USA |
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Death: |
Mar. 27, 2005
Cleveland County
Oklahoma, USA |
Thomas Emmett "Tom" Haley was born at Camp Lejeune, NC on June 6, 1954. Born into a Marine family, Tom lived in Jacksonville, NC, Havelock, NC, Norfolk, VA, Camp Pendleton, CA, Kailua, HI, Barstow, CA and Norman, OK. He graduated from Norman High School in 1973 and worked at several jobs before finally working for grounds management at the University of Oklahoma. His special pride was Owen Field - he was responsible for marking the field before football season. He also painted the logo for the Softball Championship in Oklahoma City.
He was married twice - to Andrea Hahm and then to Rhonda Pearson Crawford. Although neither marriage produced children, Tom was close to his step-children. He was very artistic. He was also very laid-back and rarely lost his temper.
Tom was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1986 and was treated with surgery. In 1988 he had a recurrence of cancer and was treated with chemotherapy. He was cancer-free until about 2003 when he became ill with esophageal cancer.
He died on March 27, 2005, at home, with Rhonda, his mother, and his mother-in-law at his side. It was a very peaceful death. In obedience to Tom's wishes, he was cremated. A memorial service was held in Norman and in June of 2005, his family, Rhonda's family, and several friends met on Kailua Beach in Hawaii, where Tom's ashes were scattered in the ocean - it was a service that Tom would have approved. He is mourned by family and friends - a truly gentle person. |
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Burial:
Cremated, Ashes scattered at sea.
Specifically: Ashes scattered off Kailua Beach, Oahu, Hawaii |
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