Thomas (Tommy) Keys was born February 19th, 1929 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Tommy grew up in Tulsa and was a graduate of Will Rogers High School where he excelled in the sport of wrestling. He received a scholarship to attend Auburn University (Alabama) where he was a member of the wrestling team until returning to wrestle at Oklahoma A&M (State) in Stillwater. At A&M, Tommy earned NCAA All American Honors. Tommy was also an alternate to the United States Olympic Wresting Team in 1952.

After college Tommy joined the US Army where he attended flight school before serving in the Korean war. While stationed in Japan, Tommy married Betty Starling, also of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Tommy remained in the US Army Reserves for many years after active duty.

Following his military service, Tommy, along with his father Ben, started a construction company (Keyson Applied Coatings) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The company specialized in spray-on exterior coatings.

After much success in the construction business, Tommy moved his family to Southern Colorado where he purchased and operated a fly fishing shop and cabin rental business. Tommy later sold the family business to his son Randy and returned to his beloved Tulsa where he remained until his passing July 3rd, 2018.

Tommy had many life-long friends and enjoyed being part of the Single Squares Square Dance Club where he held the position of President for several years.

Tommy was a great story teller and loved to share his life experiences with family and friends. He was always willing to help a friend and never met a stranger. Tommy was an avid outdoorsman, especially when it came to fishing and hunting.

Later in life Tommy found great joy in his grandchildren, entertaining his grandkids in Tulsa and while visiting Nebraska and Colorado. Tommy was also blessed with four great-grandchildren.

Tommy was kind-hearted, smart, giving, funny, and always put others ahead of himself. He will be greatly missed .

Tommy is survived by his children Randy Keys and wife Naomi, Karon Keys-Tarletsky and husband Bruce. His grandchildren, Rory Keys and wife Jacque, Kelsey Tarletsky Lemieux and husband Brent, Ryan Tarletsky and fiance Lindsay, Cahlen Keys and wife Donna Mae, Micah Keys and girlfriend Natasha, and Bryce Tarletsky. His great grandchildren, Kierra Keys, Jaycee Mae Keys, Forest Keys, Kyan Keys. And his much loved dog, Cricket.

Open visitation will be at Moore's Southlawn Funeral Home, 9350 E. 51st, Tulsa, OK, from 10:00am to 8:00pm, July 9th, 2018. Services held July 10th, 10:00 am at Memorial Park Chapel, 5111 South Memorial Drive, Tulsa, OK 74145 Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233