Tamer "Tom" Okay

Tamer Okays’ passions in life shaped the determined, dependable, and tender-loving man that left an indelible mark on the lives of everyone around him. Tamer, the son of Turkish Colonel Sabahatten Okay and Turkan Okay , was born Tamer Riza Okay in Ankara, Turkey November 23, 1960. 54-year-old Tamer, who died unexpectedly from heart complications on Aug. 6, rode swift winds and fierce currents on his Laser One sailboat in regattas for more than 30 years. The skilled sailor competed in as many as 200 races as he pursued his passion. “When he was very young-about ten- when my father took us out on our family’s fishing boat,” said his sister, Eser, “and we sailed up the Bosporus”. From that point on, Tamer and the water were inseparable. He started his sailing career at Lake Sapanca in Ankara, Turkey and never looked back. After his father retired, the family moved to Istanbul where Tamer started sailing at the Fenerbache Sports Club. The water has always been a big part of his life. He brought his best at yacht club events around the world, whether it was on the Mediterranean coasts of Turkey or in our own backyard at Lake Lanier. During his time sailing for the University of Kansas Sailing Club, he traveled to many parts of the country. By far his proudest moments were winning the coveted Governor’s Cup in Kansas and competing at the Orange Bowl Regatta in Miami. He was a part of a club, something that he loved, and something he was good at. He was the captain after all. Tamer was not just a boat enthusiast, he had an undeniable love for everything under the hood of a car. When people think of a “car enthusiast” most minds jump to a 65’ Shelby Gt Mustang tearing through the streets, but that was not Tamer. He had his own classic, an 89’ V6 Toyota Camry Station wagon. Tamer had two children – Timur and Monica – with his loving wife, Rebecca. However, people swear that the Camry was the child that never got a birth certificate. “He [Tamer] surely could have bought a new car,” said Monica, daughter “but he was never the kind of person who cared for glitz and glamour. He loved that car and was prepared to take care of it till the very end. That is who he was.” “When I married Tamer, I knew I would never have to worry about car troubles. He loved mechanics. It was his crossword puzzle.” Becky Computers and their language also came easily for Tamer. He attended Kansas University and graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor’s of Computer Science. He worked 28 years as a Sr. Quality Assurance Analyst for Travelport. Above all else, compassion was his true passion. He would help anyone, anytime he could – even if it only made the slightest difference. His greatest gift to everyone was himself. By his example, we all learned what is to love and be loved. As he would always say: “Bismillahirrahmanirrahim”. Translation: “May God carry you safely”. He is survived by his wife Becky, son Tim, daughter Monica, sister Eser Okay, brother in law John Flack and previous brother in law Yurdaer Gemici, sister in law Bilgi Okay, nephews Murat and Burc Gemici, niece Cigdem Okay, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins in Turkey. He is preceded in death by parents, Sabahattin and Turkan Okay, brother Tezer Okay. A memorial celebration of his life will be held at 4pm, Saturday August 15, at the Mayes-Ward Dobbins Funeral Home. Friends will be received from 3 to 4 pm. Contributions in memory of Tamer may be made to the KU Sailing Club.

Tamer "Tom" Okay

November 23, 1960 - August 6, 2015