Thomas Lee Statzer, Sr.

Thomas Lee Statzer, Sr.

1943 – 2023

Thomas Lee Statzer Sr. was born November 19, 1943, in Monticello, Illinois to Guy and Leola Statzer. He was the oldest of seven children, George, Virginia, Doug, Jeff, Mike, and Karla. Tom grew up playing football through his high school years.  

Tom joined the navy after high school and served for four years traveling to different stations all over the world. During that time, he met and married Karen Halberg in Mayport, Florida. Together Tom and Karen had three children, Tammy, Tom Jr., and Angie. 

After retiring from the Navy, Tom worked for Decatur ambulance service for several years serving his community. 

In 1976 Tom moved to Oklahoma and established a life here with help from his close friends Kevin and Gerri Walsh. During those years he began working for the Oklahoma City ambulance service, AmCare, where he was promoted to Sr. driver and instructed new EMT’s on safe driving techniques as well as serving as an EMT on the ambulance unit stationed in Edmond. While in Edmond he met Janice and was married in 1981. In 1988 his daughter, Jamie, was born. 

Tom spent the years in Oklahoma doing what he loved, raising, and riding horses, volunteering his time as a medic for the local Edmond rodeo and serving as the emergency ambulance unit stationed at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City.   

Tom is survived by his wife, Janice, four children Tammy, Tom Jr., Angie, and Jamie, thirteen grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Karla Dillon.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at Matthews Funeral Home Chapel.