TAHLEQUAH — The Mass of Christian Burial for George Thomas “Tom” Granger will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2013, at St. John the Evangelist Church in Delphos, Ohio. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, with the Delphos Veterans Council providing military graveside services.

Family visitation will be held Friday, March 22, 2013, at Harter and Schier Funeral Home in Delphos, with the Knights of Columbus and American Legion conducting memorial services.

A Rosary will be recited for Tom in Tahlequah, on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at 7 p.m., at the Reed-Culver Chapel in Tahlequah, with Father Jeff Polasek officiating. The family will greet guests from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 5.

George Thomas “Tom” Granger was born on June 29, 1925 in Kent, Ohio, the son of Med and Irene (Auer) Granger. He was one of 11 children born into the Granger home.

Upon graduating from high school, Tom enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II . He worked on the ore boats on the Great Lakes for the next two years, then met and married the love of his life, Corinne “Corky” Davin on March 1, 1947 in Duluth, Minn. This union lasted 55 years and was blessed with two daughters, Shirley and Gayle.

Tom was never one to sit and watch the world go by. He worked diligently for the U.S. Naval Reserve and retired after 22 years. He served as career dommand counselor for the Naval Reserve Center in both Ashville, N.C. and Gulfport, Miss.; he was a member of Naval Fleet Reserve Association. He retired after 30 years as the administrative officer for Job Corps and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He served as treasurer for the Rotary Club in Burns, Ore.; Rotary member in Medina, N.Y.; and president of the Boston Union National Federation of Government Employees – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Chapter, and the Nocturnal Adoration Society in Alburquerque, N.M.

He was past president of the PTA in Salisbury, Mass.; Newport, Mass., PTA Council; Holy Name Society in Salisbury, Mass., and Alburquerque, N.M.; Lawton-Fort Sill Kennel Club in Lawton, and the Ashville Kennel Club in Ashville, N.C. He served as past commander of American Legion Post No. 268 in Delphos; Past Faithful Navigator 4th Degree Bishop Neumann Assembly; Past District Deputy District No. 8 of the Knights of Columbus; member, past usher, and lector at St. John the Evangelist in Delphos; life member of BPOE No. 1197 in Van Wert; and the past president of Delphos Veterans Council.

Whenever he had some free time, Tom could be found taking his wife dancing. He loved country and western music, taking a long walk with his beloved Boston terriers, or relaxing at home watching a good western on TV. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and a friend you could rely on. He cherished the time he spent with his family, and enjoyed holidays with his family close around him.

From the youngest toddler to the oldest member in the room, everyone was given the famous smile he always kept on his face. Tom loved people and it showed. He was always the first to say “hi,” and made you feel important whenever you spoke with him. He worked tirelessly to improve the lives of those around him in any capacity he could.

His loving wife, Corky, passed from this life in 2002, and Tom found himself longing for warmer climates and family to share them with. He relocated to the Tahlequah area and was a member of St. Brigid Catholic Church. He was loved by all and a very special man.

The Lord called Tom home from his labors on Feb. 27, 2013 at his niece’s home in Tahlequah, with his family gathered by his side. Tom was 87 years old. He will be greatly missed for his warm smile and all the love he shared with those around him.

Tom is preceded in death by his grandparents; his parents; his loving wife, Corky; his daughter, Gayle Engle in 1979; his son-in-law, William B. Karman in 1999; five brothers, Mike, Carl, Jim, John, and Robert Granger; and one sister, Jeanne Schaffner.

Those left to cherish Tom’s memory include his loving daughter, Shirley Karman of Lonsdale, Minn.; two brothers, Ralph “Bud” Granger and wife Ruth of Sidney, Ohio, and Donald Granger and wife Audrey of California. He leaves two sisters, Ruth Granger-Stump of Van Wert, Ohio, and Katherine Granger Smith and husband Tom of Landek, Ohio. Tom’s legacy lives on in his three grandchildren, Mark Karman and wife Jennifer of Columbus, Ohio, Elsa Karman of Williamsburg, Va., and Patricia Karman of Lonsdale, Minn. Tom’s great-grandchildren include Connor Karman, Patrick Karman, Aidan Karman, Riley Karman, Edward Karman, William Karman, Dorothy Karman, Drake Karman and Dreznar Lehmkuhle. He also leaves behind a very special niece and friend, Jennifer Hale of Tahlequah, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousin and a host of friends and loved ones.

Those wishing to extend their sympathies to the family are asked to consider a donation to St. Jude’s Children Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tenn., 38105; or online at www.stjude.org.

Reed-Culver Funeral Home, 117 W. Delaware, (918) 456-2551.