Oct. 20, 1924 - July 18, 2010 Thomas Orton Bailey, 85 of the Empire Community, Okla., known to most of his friends as "T.O." and to most of his family as "Uncle Orton", was born on October 20, 1924 in Duncan, Okla., to Oscar Thomas Bailey and Hazel (Burch) Bailey. He passed from this life on Sunday, July 18, 2010, at his home. A celebration of his life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 22nd at Don Grantham Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dan Standifer officiating. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Wednesday at the funeral home from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. In Uncle Orton's own words, "I always thought I would work right up until I died" epitomize his philosophy of life. In the early forties, still a teen, he traveled with other family members finding work at an aluminum foundry in Washington State and the orange and lemon groves in California. In 1942, at the age of 18, he was drafted into the United States Army, serving in anti-aircraft and seeing combat in the Philippines. After returning to Oklahoma, he soon became involved in oilfield work and in 1949, as he said: "hired on with Noble Oil in Seminole, Texas.", as a roughneck. He later became a driller, then tool pusher, superintendent and finally assistant district manager, before retiring in 1981. His career with Noble Oil took him to many places including, Colorado, Kentucky, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Texas. After retirement, the Baileys built a home in the Empire Community near his sister, Marguerite Whatley, where he continued to work with horses and cattle. He took particular pleasure in "fixing" broken things rather than replacing them. Throughout his life he was known for his devotion to family, to friends and to work; for his good humor and ability to make the best of any situation and for his enjoyment of living. He loved boating and water sports, taking special pleasure in teaching young people to water ski and any number of mechanical skills. While in Odessa, Texas, he became involved in square dancing and after returning to Oklahoma, was an active member of the Marlow Outlaws Square Dance Club. T.O. and his wife Ruth were also enthusiastic two-steppers. Friends were lifetime for T.O. and he maintained these relationships until the last days of his life. T.O. "Uncle Orton" is already greatly missed. He is survived by his wife, Ruth McDaniel Davis Bailey, of the Empire Community, one brother, Delbert Bailey, nephews, Jerry Thomas Whatley of Empire, Melvin Qualls of Duncan, Clifford Qualls of Albuquerque, N.M., Larry Don Bailey of Duncan, Shawn Bailey of Oklahoma City, Cleon Bailey of Lawton, nieces, Karen Davidson of Duncan, Barbara Newkirk of San Angelo, Pat Butterfield of Pleasant Valley, Utah, Delda McMasters and Cloretta Bailey of Moore, Okla., a devoted great nephew, Michael Davidson, as well as a host of other great nephews, great nieces, cousins and friends. T.O. was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Hazel Bailey, his first wife, Mozelle Cope Bailey, a step-daughter, Judy Reece, one brother, Raburn Bailey, two sisters, Eloise Qualls and Marguerite Whatley. Online condolences may be made to the family at: www.granthamfuneralhomes.com.