O.L. Thomas Bronner, Jr., 83, of Abilene passed away Monday, April 28, 2025, at an Abilene hospice facility. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 11, 2025, at Ross Cemetery in Baird with Dr. Toby Henson officiating under the direction of Bailey Howard Funeral Home of Clyde.

O.L. was born December 23, 1941, in Paducah to O.L. Bronner, Sr. and Gertrude (Day) Bronner. He attended school in Coleman and served in the US Navy from 1965 until 1969. He married Donna Marie Krop in Clyde on March 12, 1983. They moved from Seminole to Abilene in 2014. O.L. worked as a correctional officer and as a truckdriver most of his life.

He is survived by  his daughter, Lynn Speckels and husband Joe of Baird; his son, Lonnie Donner of Collinsville, Oklahoma; daughter-in-law, Stephanie Wilkerson and husband Weldon of Clyde; six grandchildren, Jeromé Speckels, Charlie Speckels and wife Monique, Brandon Speckels and wife Christie, Caston Hilcher and wife Gina and Caraé Hilcher; eight great grandchildren, Annessa Tedford, Brylee Speckels, Madison Speckels, Kelan Speckels, Charli Goff, Kennedy Speckels, Myla Speckels and Reagan Speckels.

O.L. was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Clay Hilcher; one grandson, Dustin Speckels and his wife, Donna Marie (Krop) Bronner.