Thomas Havlik Obituary

Father Tom is my namesake...a dear friend of my mothers...and because his best friend, Fr, John Cherf was my great uncle...my young childhood found them at our house for Holidays and us seeing him at the Abbey on a regular basis...each visit was a welcome relief from living in a house where stress and strife seemed to prevail far to often...in his presence my parents and sisters went on best behavior and peace for a moment reigned...they were as a stone path through a quagmire of confusion and chaos...that ensured I reached adulthood knowing what being loved unconditionally truly means...for this I am eternally grateful.

Father Thomas made quite an impression on me when I was in the seventh grade. I remember serving Mass for him for the first time during our Midnight Mass celebrations. I served Mass at one of the side altars while the main Mass was being celebrated. Later that next summer I served Mass for him every day that he was in Bison visiting his family. During that summer he told me that he would be stopping by to pick me up and take me to the seminary after I got out of grade school the next year. As you know I didn't become a priest although I had two cousins that did and a sister and another cousin that became nuns. I went to Waukomis High and after finishing college at Weatherford flew off aircraft carriers in the Pacific for the next 20 years. Loved being a fighter pilot flying around the heavens see the beautiful scenes that few get to enjoy.

The Havlik Family made a lot of impressions on the people in Bison. Norbert was my first baseball and football coach. Mitch Felber and I remember Norbert well. Ernest was on of my best Sunday Oklahoman customers. He use to write me a check once a year. I never had that much money at one time before the first time he did that. Georgianna was very nice to my family and she and my Mom worked on a lot of church projects together. Mr. Havlik use to give us children candy and tell us to stay away from the train tracks. He had a very sad tale to tell us about train tracks. I also served at Father Bernard's First Mass in Bison and several the following days he was there. My memories of the rest of family is not too clear. I do remember the Sister coming home for visits. I remember Ernest sold my Dad a 1936 Ford that they use to keep in excellent condition. I took my first driving test in that car. Father Thomas may have seen something else in me in the following days after his promise to come pick me up. I always believe that things happen the way that God has planned them. My prayers tonight and during the next many Masses will include Father Thomas and the Havlik Family. My God continue to bless the Havlik Family.



Son of Mr. & Mrs. B.T. Taylor

My parents were the first couple married by Father Havlik in Bison, OK., June, 5, 1940.

Our prayers of sympathy are being sent to the Havlik families.