Thomas Roy Tarleton, 79, of Dempseytown, passed away at UPMC Hamot in Erie on Thursday, February 27, 2014. He will be greatly missed by those who loved and knew him.

Born June 30, 1934 in Walnut Bend, he was a son of the late Roy and Dorothy Gage Tarleton.

Tom married his high school sweetheart, Thelma E. Huff on August 6, 1953. She preceded him in death December 5, 2012. They had 59 wonderful years together.

He worked as an electrician at Oilwell Supply and then Acutus Mold. After retirement he worked for Enterprise.

Tom was probably best known for his talent as a banjo player. He enjoyed being a Dempseytown Rambler and a member of the 2MR group as well as playing music on a regular basis with many of his friends. Tom was an avid hunter and fisherman. He passed on his love of the outdoors to his children and grandchildren. One of his favorite pastimes was going for long rides on back roads. There wasn’t a historical marker in Pennsylvania that he hadn’t stopped to read. He had a love for history and was always reading up on historical topics.

He attended the Oakland United Methodist Church.

Tom is survived by his children, Debbie Armant and her husband Dave of Oil City, Joe Tarleton and his wife Donna of Oil City, Art Tarleton and his companion Dawn of Sandy Lake, Bryan Tarleton and his wife Shari of Brunswick, Maine, and Kelly Chase and her husband Curtis of Oil City.

He is survived by his grandchildren, Sara Oakes, Leah Chelton, Lori Horn, Julie Greene, Tiffany Tarleton, Logan Tarleton, Jessica Tarleton, Sean Tarleton, Art Tarleton, Chad Tarleton, Jeremy Tarleton, Lynelle Tarleton, Karen Hlousek, Patrick Tarleton, Andrew Tarleton, Alicia Chase, Devon Chase, and Thomas Chase. He is also survived by 18 great-grandchildren.

Tom is survived by his brother, Roger Tarleton and his wife Rani of Saint George Utah, a sister, Marilyn Mohnkern and her husband Ray of Oil City, a brother, Gary Tarleton and his companion Richard of Pittsburgh, and a sister, Karen Tarleton of Los Angeles California, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, and his brother, James Tarleton.

Friends may be received from 12 noon to 3 pm on Saturday, March 1, 2014, at the Oakland United Methodist Church. The funeral service will follow at 3 pm with the Rev. Dr. Edward Saxman, pastor of the Oakland United Methodist Church, officiating.

Interment will be in Lamey Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

The Morrison Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Oakland United Methodist Church, 1431 State Route 428, Oil City PA 16301 or the Oil City Library, 2 Central Avenue, Oil City PA 16301.