Thomas Dayton Aytes of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died early Saturday morning, October 3, 2009, at his residence in Blackwell at the age of 70 years.

Thomas Dayton Aytes was born on August 31, 1939, in Ponca City, Oklahoma, to Charley Dayton and Nella Mae (Pasley) Aytes. He grew up in Blackwell attending Blackwell Public Schools graduating in 1958. On November 5, 1958, he entered the United States Army. He married Mildred Lee Lamb on August 5, 1959. Following his discharge from the Army on October 14, 1964, he moved to Olivehurst, California, where he worked and attended Yuba Sutter College in Marysville, California. While living in California he worked on the Bullard Bar Dam. They moved to various locations and returned to Blackwell in 1970. On August 5, 1972, he re-entered the United States Army National Guard until his retirement on July 1, 1990. Through his lifetime he worked at various occupations including a farm hand, carpenter, mechanic, maintenance supervisor at Cessna, and achieved First Sergeant rank in the National Guard. On December 20, 1982, he married Wilma Jean Bennett in Wellington, Kansas, and they lived in various areas of Oklahoma and Kansas before finally making their home in Blackwell. She preceded him in death on April 3, 2006, and he remained in Blackwell. On October 2, 2007, he married Madge Butler-Aytes in Newkirk, Oklahoma, and they continued living in Blackwell until his death. He enjoyed spending time with his family, camping, and fishing.

He is survived by his wife, Madge Aytes of Blackwell; four daughters, Tomi Deann Carruth of Blackwell, Oklahoma, Mildred Lynne Arrandondo and husband, Ray, of Wichita Falls, Texas, Sherryn Dickey of Derby, Kansas, and Debbie Hensley and husband, Michael, of Emporia, Kansas; two sons, Mark LeRoy Aytes and wife, Leha of Ardmore, Oklahoma, and Michael Ryan and wife, Kay, of Choctaw, Oklahoma; two brothers, Gerald Lee Aytes of Prague, Oklahoma, and Richard L. Aytes and wife, Darla, of Tuttle, Oklahoma; one sister, Vera J. Luce and husband, Michael, of Tonkawa, Oklahoma; a multitude of grandchildren and great grandchildren and abundant other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, T. D. Aytes and Danny Ryan; and one brother, James Aytes.

Graveside services are set for 3:00 p.m., Friday, October 9th in the Braman Cemetery with Rev. Tom Howard of Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, officiating. Burial will follow in the Braman Cemetery.

A memorial has been established with the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation for cancer research in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.