Tony McClelland Rader passed away Monday August 5, 2024, at the age of 58 after a long battle with cancer.
He was a beloved husband, dad, son, brother, uncle, brother-in-law, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Tony was born February 24, 1966, to Tony Rader Sr. and Clara Young in Clifton Forge, Virginia. Tony and his siblings Kim and Paul would spend some time growing up in Hammond, Oklahoma with their Dad, but most of the years they, along with brother Ted and sister Pam, grew up in Springwood Virginia with their Mom, where Tony graduated from James River HS in 1984. He continued his education in Tulsa, at Spartan Aeronautics, where he became an Aviation Maintenance Technician. He would find employment with American Airlines, where he worked for 38 years, taking pride in his work and creating lasting friendships with many who were like family to him.
To say Tony loved his family was an understatement. He married the love of his life, Lisa, on May 26, 2001, and gained a son, Maxwell Root, with that union. On December 19, 2006, they were blessed with the birth of their son, Samuel McClelland, who is currently a Senior at Booker T. Washington HS in Tulsa.
Tony was very close to all his siblings, vacationing with and talking to them often. He had a very close relationship with his mom, calling her every week and often mailing her her favorite books, with some surprise "mad money "between the pages. He was a mama's boy, and proud of it.
As a family, they loved to travel. The beach, especially Destin FL, was their favorite annual spot to relax, with Hawaii as their special one- time destination. They also loved attending and watching sporting events. Tony was an avid fan of college football and basketball, always cheering on his Virginia Tech Hokies and the local Tulsa Hurricanes. He had his pro teams he supported too, the Washington Redskins and Boston Celtics. Tony and Lisa loved watching their boys play sports-Tony coached Sam's little league baseball teams and took Max to all his travel hockey games. He also loved to fish and golf with the boys and would attend the PGA at Southern Hills every opportunity he had.
Tony was quite the Grill master, and especially loved to grill for friends who stopped by the house. The ultimate host, one never walked away thirsty, hungry or bored as he always had a cold beverage on hand, a "Tony's special " burger, and a few stories to share about his days growing up with his buddies in Virginia. He had a descriptive way with words that kept you captivated with humor and laughter.
His love for family and friends was generous- always ready to help anyone in need, he would do anything for anyone, and they for him, and paid it forward so many times throughout his life.
Tony enjoyed every ounce of life-the big and little things like reading the newspaper with his little Shih Tzu buddy Zeus by his side, purchasing the occasional lottery ticket, watching the fireworks on the 4th of July, and taking his boys and Lisa to the ice-skating rink in downtown Tulsa during the Christmas holidays.
Just one remark about his cancer-he fought that beast with every ounce of his entire being and did so because he loved life and everything it entailed. As his family, it gives us solace to know he is no longer suffering and is now with the Almighty Lord.
Tony is preceded in death by his father, Tony Rader Sr., brother Ted Rader, and stepmother Jan Rader.
He is survived by his best friend and beloved wife of 23 years, Lisa, and sons Sam and Max; his mother, Clara Young of Salem VA, sister Pam Jamison and family of Buchanan VA; sister Kim Musgrove and husband Donald and family of Roanoke VA; brother Paul Rader and family of Chesapeake VA; sister-in-law Cheryl Rader and family of Buchanan VA, and several nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.
Services will be held Monday August 26th at 10:30 am at First Baptist Church, downtown Tulsa, 420 S. Detroit Ave. with a Celebration of Life gathering at Crawpappies following the service. He will be interred at Calvary Cemetery in Tulsa.