Obituary for Tom Wishon
Tomy Charles “Tom” Wishon, age 90, of Jefferson City, Mo, passed away Friday, November 11, 2022, at University Hospital in Columbia, Mo.
Tom was born on June 24, 1932 in Picher, Oklahoma, the son of Charles Edward and Grace Jane (Williams) Wishon. His family would move from Oklahoma and Tom grew up in Phelps County, Mo. where he attended school.
He was married on January 6, 1950 to Norma Malone in Walnut Ridge, Ark. and she preceded him in death on January 2, 1979. After Norma’s passing, he was blessed to meet Joyce Elaine Walker and they were married on March 8, 1982 in Miami, Oklahoma.
Tom served our country in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was extremely proud of his service to our country. He was a member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars, Roy Sone Post 1003 and the American Legion, Roscoe Enloe Post 5. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 2693.
He began his professional career as a truck driver in Dent County, Mo. working for several distributors. He later began his 35 year career with United Telephone, which later became Sprint, until his retirement in 1992. Tom possessed a strong work ethic and through the years worked several jobs from truck driver, lineman, and equipment technician. He also was proud to be a member, union steward, and past vice president of the Local Communication Workers Association (CWA).
After retirement, Tom and Joyce traveled for ten years in their motor home, with one of their favorite stops being the deep south of Texas. He was able to travel back to Korea with Joyce to see the areas that he experienced during the war. He would say that was his most memorable trip.
He loved his family dearly and wanted nothing more than to spend time with them. The holidays were always important and finding the right gift for his grandchildren that would cause the most commotion. His sense of humor kept everyone entertained and he always had a sarcastic joke to make others laugh. Tom enjoyed time on the gun range and was a huge John Wayne fan because he loved watching all the old western classics.
Tom is survived by: his loving wife of 40 years, Joyce Wishon; five children, Patricia Norman (Mike) of Harrisonville, Mo., Steve Wishon (Sandy) of Centertown, Mo., James Wishon (Joyce) of Kenston, North Carolina, Susan Sundermeyer (James) of Holts Summit, Mo. and Donald Wishon of Kansas City, Mo.; two step-children, Ricky Lipp of Jefferson City, Mo. and Rhonda Timbrook (Ernie, Sr.) of Holts Summit, Mo.; sister, Florence Thompson of Rolla, Mo.; 15 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Marilyn Kay Wishon; granddaughter, Shelley Ann Wishon; and five siblings, Myrna Wishon, Avis Dodd, Linda Poole, Robert Wishon, and Nelda Grisham.
Visitation will be held at Freeman Mortuary from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 16, 2022.
A funeral service will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 16, 2022 in the Freeman Chapel. Graveside service and interment with military honors will be held at Riverview Cemetery
A webcast of the Tom’s service will begin at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday for friends that are not able to attend by going to the "photos and videos" tab of this memorial page and scrolling down to the webcasting link.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Basinger/Sone Memorial Post 1003 or Central Missouri Honor Flight by mailing all donations to P.O. Box 95, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
Tom was born on June 24, 1932 in Picher, Oklahoma, the son of Charles Edward and Grace Jane (Williams) Wishon. His family would move from Oklahoma and Tom grew up in Phelps County, Mo. where he attended school.
He was married on January 6, 1950 to Norma Malone in Walnut Ridge, Ark. and she preceded him in death on January 2, 1979. After Norma’s passing, he was blessed to meet Joyce Elaine Walker and they were married on March 8, 1982 in Miami, Oklahoma.
Tom served our country in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was extremely proud of his service to our country. He was a member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars, Roy Sone Post 1003 and the American Legion, Roscoe Enloe Post 5. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 2693.
He began his professional career as a truck driver in Dent County, Mo. working for several distributors. He later began his 35 year career with United Telephone, which later became Sprint, until his retirement in 1992. Tom possessed a strong work ethic and through the years worked several jobs from truck driver, lineman, and equipment technician. He also was proud to be a member, union steward, and past vice president of the Local Communication Workers Association (CWA).
After retirement, Tom and Joyce traveled for ten years in their motor home, with one of their favorite stops being the deep south of Texas. He was able to travel back to Korea with Joyce to see the areas that he experienced during the war. He would say that was his most memorable trip.
He loved his family dearly and wanted nothing more than to spend time with them. The holidays were always important and finding the right gift for his grandchildren that would cause the most commotion. His sense of humor kept everyone entertained and he always had a sarcastic joke to make others laugh. Tom enjoyed time on the gun range and was a huge John Wayne fan because he loved watching all the old western classics.
Tom is survived by: his loving wife of 40 years, Joyce Wishon; five children, Patricia Norman (Mike) of Harrisonville, Mo., Steve Wishon (Sandy) of Centertown, Mo., James Wishon (Joyce) of Kenston, North Carolina, Susan Sundermeyer (James) of Holts Summit, Mo. and Donald Wishon of Kansas City, Mo.; two step-children, Ricky Lipp of Jefferson City, Mo. and Rhonda Timbrook (Ernie, Sr.) of Holts Summit, Mo.; sister, Florence Thompson of Rolla, Mo.; 15 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Marilyn Kay Wishon; granddaughter, Shelley Ann Wishon; and five siblings, Myrna Wishon, Avis Dodd, Linda Poole, Robert Wishon, and Nelda Grisham.
Visitation will be held at Freeman Mortuary from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 16, 2022.
A funeral service will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 16, 2022 in the Freeman Chapel. Graveside service and interment with military honors will be held at Riverview Cemetery
A webcast of the Tom’s service will begin at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday for friends that are not able to attend by going to the "photos and videos" tab of this memorial page and scrolling down to the webcasting link.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Basinger/Sone Memorial Post 1003 or Central Missouri Honor Flight by mailing all donations to P.O. Box 95, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.