BINGER - - Services for lifetime Binger resident, U.S. Army PFC Thomas Ray Leemhuis, 23, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 30 at the Binger-Oney High School Auditorium in Binger.

     A prayer service and all night wake will be held at- 7 p.m. Friday at the Binger-Oney High School Auditorium.

     PFC Leemhuis was born Aug. 2, 1983 in Lawton to Paul Whitehorn Sr. and Patty A. Leemhuis and was Killed In Action and was called Home by the Lord on Thursday, June 21, 2007 in Baghdad, Iraq.

     He was preceded in death by his baby sister, Shavonne Rae Leemhuis; his grandfather, Sherman Lee Leemhuis Sr.; his grandfather, Lorene Maxine Thomas; his grandfather, Richard R. Whitehorn Sr.; one uncle, Melvin Jody Stevens, and his grandfather, who descended from Otoe Tribal Chief, George Whitehorn Sr.

     PFC Leemhuis was very active as a young boy, did all the normal boy things, even teased the girls a little. HE was an outstanding basketball player and manager of the Binger-Oney Bobcat Baseball team at the Binger-Oney High School and was in the graduating class of 2002.

     His graduating class was very close to each other, they have always stayed in contact with each other and have been very supportive to each other.

     There were several outstanding people in his life, especially his grandmother, Twila Leemhuis, who actually helped raise him due to his mom having to work so much. He was very grateful for all of her wonderful guidance.

     He always looked up to his older sister, Stephanie.

     He detested drugs and what he saw it do to so many around him.

     He told his family and classmates, "When I get out of the Army, I'm gonna come back to Binger-Oney and try to make a difference in our community."

     He enjoyed being a Binger-Oney Bobcat, and the support he received from many of his peers.

     His favorite teacher and best friend was Mr. Hibshaw, who was always there for him no matter what.

     He always looked up to his uncle Sherman Leemhuis.

     His favorite pastime was spending time with family and friends.

     He was a NASCAR fan and Jeff Gordon was his favorite driver. He was a also a Nebraska fan and his bedroom wall would certainly reflect his love for the team. He enjoyed video games and PlayStation.

     He was a fun-loving young man who was so proud to be a Native American and to serve his country, and was willing to give his life for our freedom. He was enrolled in the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. He was of Caddo descent and Ponca, Otoe, and Muscogee Creek, and belonged to the Hasinai Society.

     He made a profession of his faith in Christ Jesus and was a member of the First Caddo Baptist Church in Fort Cobb.

     He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him, but he will never be forgotten. His memory and his legacy will always be in our midst and all who have accepted Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour will see him again.

     Survivors include his mother, Patty Leemhuis of Anadarko; his father, Paul Whitehorn Sr., and his wife, Betty, of Pell City, Ala.,; one brother Paul Whitehorn Jr., of Binger; two sisters, Stephanie Leemhuis of Dablin, Calif., and Renee Whitehorn of Anadarko; his step-sister, Drema Sheacox of Birmingham, Ala.; his grandmother, Twila Leemhuis of Binger; two brothers-in-law, Christopher J. Deer of Oklahoma City and Brandy Aunko of Anadarko; his special uncle, Sherman Leemhuis Jr. of Anadarko; his special aunts, Teresa Leemhuis Cherqueno of Oklahoma City and Louise Jennings of Weeletka; his Whitehorn uncles, Richard Jr., Mike, Steve and Chris and Kenny Jennings, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and many friends.

     Burial will be in the Williams Family Cemetery in Binger under the direction of the Binger Funeral Home.