Thomas Raymond Irey

Thomas Raymond Irey, 80, educator and farmer, passed away Sunday, August 2, 2020. Services are pending. Thomas Raymond Irey was born in Houma, Louisiana in 1939. The family moved and settled in Waukomis, Oklahoma. There he attended and graduated from Waukomis High School. Tom continued his education at Oklahoma State University earning a B.A. of Chemistry degree. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy and attended Officer Candidate School (O.C.S.), training in Newport Rhode Island. When he graduated, he was assigned to active duty on ship serving in Vietnam. Tom then was assigned to teach at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where he met his love of 53 years, Karen Vice. They were married in St. John, Kansas. He then returned to the Navy and completed two more years. After being honorably discharged, he returned to Oklahoma State University and earned a Master’s degree of History. Then he decided to begin his career in teaching and fulfill his love of farming for the following 40 years. Tom was preceded in death by parents, Raymond and Esther Irey; sister, Judy Winchester, and niece, Katherine Stevens. He is survived by his wife, Karen; sister, Jane (Robert) Roberts; nephews, Gregg (Nancy) Winchester and Ryan (Kathy) Roberts; great-nephews and great-nieces, Luke, Seth, Austin, Elizabeth and Kendall. Memorial established with Parkinson's Foundation, 200 SE 1st St., S-800, Miami, FL 33131. Downing & Lahey West. www.dlwichita.com