Thomas Edward Friday, 64-years-old, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017, at Baptist Integris Hospital in Oklahoma City from complications of heart surgery. Tom was born on May 15, 1953, in Florence Alabama the son of Edward L. Friday and Frances Dowd Friday. He attended grade and high school in Florence. After Tom’s parents passed away, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia to live with his first cousin, Chris Eckl, his wife Liz, and their five children. Tom graduated from St. Joseph’s Catholic High School in Atlanta where he played football. After high school, Tom was employed by Owens Illinois Glass Company before he became a certified aircraft mechanic for American Airlines. During his employment for American Airlines Tom acquired multiple certifications and licenses that were beneficial to him during his 32 years with the airline. His job enabled him to live in several locations before settling down in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 27 years ago.
Tom is survived by his loving wife, Diane Hawkins Friday; sons, Matthew Friday, and Seth M. Friday and wife, Jessica; daughter, Courtney Friday Colwell and husband, David; stepson, Chad McGregor; and grandchildren, Grace and Olivia Colwell and Nathan and Annie Friday; his adoptive mother, Liz Eckl, and her children who considered Tom as a brother; and his cousins, Wray Eckl, Ruth Anderson Horn, and Mary Jane Mayes who remember him as a wonderful, fun and thoughtful man.
Tom grew up on Nellie Avenue in Florence, Alabama one house away from his aunt, Patricia, and uncle, Louis Eckl, the former editor of the Florence Times, and their children Kit, Wray, and Mary. Tom’s beloved dog, Lurch, was known by all in the neighborhood.
Tom will be remembered by his family and friends for his kindness and patience. He will be greatly missed by all.
Visiting hours were held on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, at Fitzgerald’s Ivy Chapel in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The funeral mass was celebrated at Holy Family Cathedral on Monday, Nov. 6, 2017, and his burial service will be held at St. Michael’s Cemetery in St. Florian, Alabama today at 1 p.m. A small reception will follow. Friends are welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital by mail, phone, or online.
Please leave condolences for the family at fitzgeraldivychapel.com.
