Porter, Thomas Buryl, 91, passed away May 6, 2020, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

A native of Tulsa, Thomas was born October 6th, 1928, the son of Perry C. and Altie (Hill) Porter. Raised on an impoverished homestead, he never had the luxury of an indoor bed until he joined the Navy - a hardship that he worked hard to make sure his own children would never endure.

He met the love of his life, Evelyn Margaret Wilkinson, on a blind date and they remained married for 71 years.

In a life that spanned a century, he was the sort of man on which that century was built. He left Will Rogers High School after the tenth grade to join the Navy, and began a workman's life building up America to the skies and the stars: first, as a U.S. Navy cargo plane mechanic in the Aleutian Islands during World War II, and then in a long, rewarding career with Rockwell and Douglass, constructing military aircraft and space shuttles.

Tom's love for being with and helping people led him to serve as an usher at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center for 48 years. He enjoyed giving back to the community as a lifelong blood donor and by spending countless hours on the road delivering for Meals on Wheels and the American Red Cross. He was an avid fisherman and bowler, still counting his spares and strikes until three months before his death.

Thomas leaves behind his beloved wife, Evelyn, and their three children; Terry, David (Lorna), and Dianna (Jeff), as well as six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Services pending. Moore Funeral Home - Southlawn Chapel 918-663-2233