Thomas Dwight Okes, 81, of Cool Ridge, entered the gates of heaven on August 18, 2026.

Born October 13, 1944, at Dunns, he was the son of the late Kermit Okes, and Belle and Percy Hunter.

Mr. Okes graduated from Shady Spring High School in 1963 and went on to serve his country as a military police officer in the U.S. Air Force. Upon returning home, he worked in the coal mines until a workplace accident resulted in the loss of his arm. Demonstrating remarkable determination and perseverance, he overcame this life-altering experience and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education with certification in Special Education from Concord College. He devoted 36 years to educating and making a difference in the lives of children before retiring from the Raleigh County Board of Education.

Mr. Okes was deeply committed to his faith, church, and community. Through his music ministry, he shared the gospel both at his home church and while traveling throughout the United States. He also served for many years as vice president of the Lilly Reunion. A dedicated member of the Beaver Lions Club, he served three terms as president and was honored with the Melvin Jones Fellowship, the highest form of recognition bestowed by the Lions Club International Foundation. He was a member of Hilltop Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his grandson, Mikel Wilkinson.

Survivors include Thelma Lilly Okes, his loving wife of 61 years; son, Tracy (Lisa) Okes of Cool Ridge; daughter, Teresa (Bob) Skarlinski of York, SC; grandchildren, Amanda (Miguel) Garcia, Jeffrey Wilkinson, Brantley (Chip) Hedrick, Thomas Okes, Noah Wilkinson (Rachel Stewart), Hillary (Dave) Cathey, and Danielle Skarlinski; 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; close friends, Cindy & Gary Flower and the Waterhouse Family.

Siblings include Diane (Elwood) Tabor, Earl (Barbara) Okes, Dennis (Valerie) Okes, Guy Okes, and Kathy Cox (Charles Pauley), as well as several nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Hilltop Baptist Church, 320 1st Avenue, Midway, WV. Friends may call from 11 AM to 1 PM at the church.

Private online condolences and other expressions of sympathy may be directed to the family via our guestbook at www.roseandquesenberry.net.

Arrangements are by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home, 729 Flat Top Road, Shady Spring, WV.