Tommy Wilcox Postlewait was born May 1, 1927 in St. Clair County Mo. to Virgil and Lillian Dorthea (Wilcox) Postlewait. Tommy grew up in rural Osceola, Mo. and Clinton, OK. He leaves behind five nieces and two nephews, namely Ida Ruth Tucker (Independence, MO), Mary Lillian Sisseck (Deerfield, MO.) J.V. Greathouse (Harding, IL.) Bonnie Carol Query (Nevada MO.), Brenda Lee Dilly (Deerfield, MO.), Betty Jean Yockey (El Dorado, Springs, MO.) and Thom Greathouse, (Las Vegas, NV.)
Tommy joined the Merchant Marines when he was 17 years of age, immediately following enlistment in the U.S.Army and later the U.S. Navy during WWII era. His military overseas tours took him to Germany and France.
Tommy and Ruby (Mooney) Postlewait were married in 1956 in Kansas City, Mo. and shortly thereafter, relocated to California. Tommy and Ruby owned and operated several businesses, including a very successful Shaklee dealership where they earned new cars and trips for several consecutive years. When Ruby’s health deteriorated, Tommy cared for her in his home until her death, honoring his marriage vows to her while continuing to operate his plumbing company and managing his crew.
It was later in life when Tommy gave his heart to the Lord, but he became a faithful supporter of his church in tithes and offerings, even insisting that his plumbing crew tithe 10% to his church! He instructed each member of his crew the day they were hired that if they intended to work for him, they were expected to return 10% to his church. They were accustomed to that transaction on pay day.
Following Ruby’s death, Tommy retired and moved back to Osceola, Mo. to live with his widowed sister, Maggie Lee Greathouse. He was a great joy, comfort and help to her as she had developed macular degeneration and could no longer drive. Their many conversations revolved around their happy childhood years. Out of the blue, he would suggest a trip and away they would go to visit friends and relatives, meeting new friends and renewing old acquaintances. They enjoyed their time together as they traveled the highways in his RV to such places as Texas, Branson, Clinton, OK and every August, to Brumley Gospel Sing in Springdale, Arkansas.
Tommy had many friends and family members in Missouri as will as friends in California that he talked to weekly. Cena Jones and her husband had been very close friends of both Ruby and Tommy in California. During a phone conversation to Cena, who was a widow, Tommy invited her for a visit to Missouri for a week. The two married in 2001 and enjoyed a few happy years together, traveling, visiting and playing Skipbo, until their health began to deteriorate to the point they could no longer maintain a marriage.
Tommy enjoyed golfing, camping and playing guitars. He had a great love for music and played in several bands and at church until he was no longer able to do so. He loved going to church and dearly loved all the people at Herriman Chapel Church of God (Holiness). He loved Wednesday nights when they had, “Pester the Pastor Night” when he would try his best to “stump” the pastor with the strangest question he could come up with. (I’m sorry!)
Tommy loved church so much he was usually the first one there on Sunday. This would have made his saintly Father so proud as he had taught and guided in the way he should go, proving the Biblical principal that “when they are old, they will not depart from it.”
Tommy leaves behind five nieces and two nephews a great number of friends and church acquaintances that he dearly loved. Tommy passed from this life to his heavenly reward on Sunday morning, Feburary 13, 2011. This marks the end of his earthly sojourn. Tommy Postlewait is the last member of this Postlewait lineage! All are now in the care of our Great Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ, our Messiah and soon coming King!
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