Thomas "Tommy" L. Bassett

Thomas Lee Bassett, 80, a resident of Afton, Oklahoma, passed away at Integris Miami Hospital on Monday, May 22, 2023. Thomas was born on June 27, 1942, in Afton, Oklahoma, to Thomas Grover Bassett, Jr. and Helen Christine (Adkison) Bassett. ‘Tommy Lee’ as he was known to family and friends, was a lifelong resident of Afton. He graduated from Afton High School in 1960 and attended Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College. Early in his career Tommy worked for the Oklahoma Highway Department in Sapulpa, then returned to Afton to work for Farmland Industries. After a brief move to Lincoln Illinois with Farmland, Tommy returned to Afton in 1975 when he purchased Bassett’s Grocery, becoming the third-generation owner. Tommy married Judy Heppner on October 4, 1980, and spent more than 40 wonderful years together building a beautiful family. Tommy continued to operate Bassett’s Grocery until 2009, a staple of the Afton community and employer of choice for countless Afton High School students. After Bassett’s Grocery closed, Tommy focused his time on investments in real-estate properties. Tommy was a 32nd degree Mason in the Masonic Lodge and a 20-year firefighter and EMT in the Afton Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a long-time active member and supporter of Trinity Southern Baptist Church. After retirement Tommy enjoyed golfing, camping and spending time with Judy, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Tommy is preceded in passing by his parents, Thomas Jr. and Helen Bassett, his brothers, Larry Bassett and Garry Bassett, and a grandchild Devin Cook. Those left to share the memory of Mr. Bassett are his wife Judy Bassett, his former wife Nancy Parker - mother of children Sheri Bassett Preston, and her husband Matthew, of Marietta, Georgia, and Steven Ray Bassett, and Melissa Cook, of Monkey Island, Oklahoma - Lisa Humble, of Owasso, Oklahoma, April Shinn and her husband Bobby, of Afton, Oklahoma, and his brother Richard “Dick” Bassett of Grove, Oklahoma. Grandchildren include Matthew “Ryan” Preston Jr., Mars Preston, Wacy Humble and his wife Jordan, Ky Humble, Dalton Shinn and his wife Jessica, Carlee Shinn, and Corey Turner. Great-Grandchildren include Renix Humble, Nixon Humble, Harlan Shinn, Rowan Shinn, Brixon Turner, Blakely Turner, and Bishop Turner. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 P.M. Thursday, May 25, 2023, at Trinity Southern Baptist Church in Afton, Oklahoma. Funeral Services will be 2:00 P.M. Friday, May 26, 2023, at Trinity Southern Baptist Church in Afton, Oklahoma with Reverend Brian Gibson officiating. Interment will follow at the Mount Hope Cemetery in Afton under the care of Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Afton. Friends and family may send the family notes of encouragement by viewing Mr. Bassett’s Tribute Page at www.brown-winters.com. The family is requesting in lieu of flowers donation to Trinity Southern Baptist Church – The Bus Barn Fund.

Thomas "Tommy" L. Bassett

June 27, 1942 - May 22, 2023