Tamara Dee (Gibson) Acker
September 20, 1962 to September 21, 2022 (age 60)
On September 21, 2022, Tamara Acker, 60, of Ponca City, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family. She was a true fighter, battling cancer for over two years until God finally brought her home.
Tamara and her twin sister Sandra were born on September 20, 1962. She grew up in Fremont, California, and graduated from Irvington High School in 1981. Many of the summers she grew up spent with her mother and stepdads Grace and Norman Brown in Cow City, Oklahoma. Tamara, Sandra and their brother Gary enjoy summer going to the beach, water skiing and hanging out with friends. It was during this time that Tamara met the love of her life, Mark Acker. Mark eventually moved to California when Tamara finished high school and married in 1981 a few weeks after she graduated. Soon after their marriage, they returned to Ponca City and began to put down roots together.
Mark and Tamara were married for 41 years until her death. In her final years, she became a member of the Connection Church and was re-baptized. On June 21, 2022, Tamara and Mark reaffirmed their wedding vows in front of family and friends. One of her last wishes was to celebrate her 60th birthday with her twin sister and her family. Her wish came true before she was with God.
Tamara enjoys spending time with husband Mark, two sons Chad and Cory, daughter-in-law Tacy and two grandchildren Trevor and Collin. They have many “little roasts” on the property while playing games outside. Their extended family often joins them, with plenty of room to spread out and have fun. Family reunions at home in Ponca City have also become a tradition, with everyone looking forward to a weekend (or week) of long weekend gatherings with families from all over the country.
Tamara loves her animals. She has 5 dogs, a parrot, a big rabbit and a tortoise. Also, she loves many horses, chickens, turkeys, and pretty much any animal she can bring home. She and husband Mark enjoy coffee on the porch while watching her animals run around.
Anyone who knows Tamara knows what a crafty person she is. She enjoys sewing, crocheting and needlework projects. She can also look at any project, know exactly how to make it, and then get the material to make dozens for her family. She often makes Christmas gifts for everyone she can think of. There is no craft project that Tamara dismisses and leaves people asking “how did you do it?”.
She is always the protagonist of the party. She was known to talk louder and laugh louder, and everyone had a great time sitting with Tamara. She’s not shy, and she has a way of bringing out the best in others.
Tamara worked for several years at Pioneer Technology in Ponca City as a custodian. Before that, she worked in clothing retailing for several years and always loves the latest fashion. With an extensive wardrobe of clothing and fashion jewelry, she always has the right outfit for any occasion.
Tamara is survived by husband Mark; son Chad Ake and wife Tacy; son Corey Ake; and grandsons Trevor and Collin Ake from Ponca City. She also leaves behind mother Grace Brown of Ponca City, twin sister Sandra Fiennes and husband Glenn of California, brothers Bob Gibson of Florida, Dave Gibson of Florida, Arizona Jim Gibson and wife Barbara, Gary Gibson and wife Jenny of Oklahoma, brother Jerry Palmer of Arizona, brother-in-law Jim Aker and wife Charlotte of Missouri, Arkansas brother-in-law John Acker, sister-in-law Connie Cobb of Oklahoma, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Her father Robert Gibson, stepfather Norman Brown, half-sister Teresa Gibson, father-in-law Everett Acker, mother-in-law Alma Acker and sister-in-law Shirley Acker have died.
Funeral will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at 10:00 am at Connect Church in Ponca City, Oklahoma. The funeral will be held at the Grandview Cemetery in Kaw City. Scheduled under the direction of Grace Memorial Church, 2016 N. 14th Street, Ponca City, OK., (580) 762-2464.