Thomas Richard Costello was born January 11, 1924 in Atchison, Kansas and died January 13, 2010. He passed away peacefully in the Oklahoma City home of his daughter, Ann Culberston, after a lengthy illness with congestive heart failure. Tom was the fourth of ten children, father of nine, grandfather of 26, and great-grandfather of eight. He loved life and could best be described as a "live wire" and a "people person." The common laborer received the same respect and friendship from Tom as did the socially prominent banker. Tom Costello was especially fond of babies and animals. Tom's great passions were his love of his traditional Catholic faith, his wife, his large family, and his free country. At age 18 he served in the U.S. Navy as a First Lieutenant aboard L.S.T.1068 in the Pacific arena during World War II. He acquired his education at officer's training school at Northwestern University and finished at Iowa State after the war. As a gifted salesman, Tom won many sales records awards from Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company. He will be most remembered for his controversial struggles to preserve the traditional Catholic Tridentine Mass, established for all time at the Council of Trent (year 1570 A.D.). The beautiful Latin Traditional Mass is now flourishing in OKC and all over the country. Tom is survived by his wife of 65 years, Norma Jean (Still) Costello, and nine children, Susie Costello of Las Vegas, NV, Ann Culbertson of OKC, Carrie Brown of OKC, Mary Jane Nageon de Lestang and husband Andre' of Frostproof, FL, Thomas R. Costello, Jr. and wife Cathy of Cedar Hills, TX, Elizabeth Hudson and husband Mike of Tulsa, OK, John Costello of OKC, Jessica Barnes and husband Bret of Ocala, FL, Joe Smith and wife Janice of Jones, OK, 26 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Peter and Marie Wolters Costello, two sisters, Mary M. Slattery and Janice M. Hutchison, three brothers, Edward R. Costello, Robert J. Costello, and Victor L. Costello. He is survived by brothers Mark J. Costello and John P. Costello, and sisters Dorothy M. Evans and Nancy A. Bernal. Our family would like to thank Hospice of Oklahoma County, especially Starla, Sarah, and Becky for all the love and care that they gave to Tom and Norma during the final year of his amazing life. A special `thanks' to our devoted Gina. A Rosary will be prayed today, Sunday, January 17, at 6:00 p.m., at Smith & Kernke Funeral Home, 14624 N. May Ave., OKC. A Traditional Latin Requiem Mass will be offered by Rev. Howard Remski on Monday, January 18, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Michael's Catholic Chapel, 4701 N. McMillan Ave., Bethany, OK 73008 (1 block west on 50th at N. Council Rd. and south on N. McMillan Ave.), (405) 440-9168. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Michael's Catholic Chapel at the address listed. Friends and relatives are invited to attend the Rosary or funeral and are asked to pray for the repose of Tom's soul and to celebrate his incredible life.

.Published in The Oklahoman on January 17, 2010