Thomas Huey LaValley

Thomas “Tom” Huey LaValley, 85, of Shawnee, Oklahoma, passed away on Monday, October 13, 2025, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was born in Holdenville, Oklahoma, on July 17, 1940, to Clyde and Jessie (Welsh) LaValley of Wetumka, Oklahoma, and was the beloved brother of five siblings.

Tom attended Wetumka Public Schools and graduated with the class of 1958. After high school, he worked in construction with his father. He married Evelena Cook, also of Wetumka, on October 25, 1958. While living in Wetumka, they welcomed their son, Tommy, on August 18, 1959. Then they moved to Dumas, Texas, where Tom had various jobs, including working for the phone company, gas company and the fire department as a volunteer. While in Dumas, they welcomed their daughter, Sulyne, during a blizzard on January 31, 1964. They then moved back to Oklahoma when Tom was accepted into the University of Oklahoma’s 20th Highway Patrol recruit school, graduating on February 19, 1966.

During his years of service, Tom was assigned to Oklahoma, Seminole and Pottawatomie Counties, working traffic, manhunts, governor’s detail, and the Department of Motor Vehicles issuing driver’s licenses. Tom was an excellent marksman and served on the OHP Pistol Team competing in many competitions. He served with OHP for 20 years. After retirement, Tom worked in various real estate capacities. For the past 20 years Tom was a business consultant for investments where he was gifted in bringing many people together.

Tom later married Lucille Catherine Marsala, and they enjoyed 35 years of marriage before she passed in 2020. His family was more important to him than anything else. He enjoyed family get-togethers and attending various activities of his kids, granddaughters and great grandsons.

Tom was a big OU fan and dearly loved watching and going to OU softball and football games with his daughter, Sulyne, and her friends. He also got a big thrill out of watching the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was an avid hunter and fisherman—activities that he enjoyed doing with his son, Tommy, other family members and friends. He loved collecting guns and, at one time, making his own ammunition. He loved photography, taking many photos commercially, of family, wildlife and beautiful scenery, and he enjoyed taking long drives with his loved ones. Tom stayed up with current events by watching Fox News, as well as watching old western movies. He was a protector and received enjoyment from helping others in whatever they needed. He was very patient, positive, and kind and always had a listening ear.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Lucy; parents, Clyde and Jessie; his son, Tommy; the mother of his children, Evelena; his sisters: LaDean Dodson, Clydean Chastain, and Janice Hollis.

Tom is survived by his daughters: Sulyne Cuellar of Shawnee, OK, Michele and her husband Anthony Robbins of Shawnee, OK, and bonus daughter, Shelli Barnett of Shawnee, OK; granddaughters: Rebecca Poole of Norman, OK, Chandler Cuellar and her finance Michael Lantero of Chicago, IL, and Tierra Owen of Shawnee, OK; great grandsons, Walker and Whitton Poole of Noble, OK; sister, Annetta and Connie Coble of Shawnee, OK; numerous nieces and nephews including: Gary and Teresa Chastain of Dumas, TX, Lee Ann and Roger Rutherford of Shawnee, OK, Bryant Hill of Shawnee, OK, and Steve and Sandy Dodson of Phoenix, AZ; best friends, Roland V. Combs III and wife Jean of Oklahoma City and Jim Frazier of Edmond, OK.

Visitation will be Sunday, October 19, 2025, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., at AE Funeral Services Chapel, 603 W. Independence St., Shawnee, Oklahoma 74804.

A funeral will be held on Monday, October 20, 2025, 1:00 p.m., at AE Funeral Services Chapel. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, 1400 N. Center Ave., Shawnee, Oklahoma 74801.