Tom Padgett
January 7, 1937 -
March 20, 2026
Thomas Edwin Padgett, born in the
downtown Memorial Hospital (now Memorial Hermann) on January 7, 1937, in
Houston, Texas. Tom passed away peacefully around midnight on March 20, 2026,
in Comfort, Texas. He was 89.
His parents brought him home from the hospital
to their newly built cottage-style brick home at 3107 Wroxton Road. Tom
reminisced that he could sit on the front porch and have an unobstructed view
across open fields of wild dewberries to Lamar High School and that he would
gather and bring home for cobbler - the taste of which he would never forget!!!
He grew up there in West University – attending elementary grades, and then
next Lanier Junior High (now middle school), Kincaid, and finally graduating
from Lamar about 1956.
Tom spent his early years in Houston
working in the family’s window covering business. After retiring, he embraced
the tranquility of the Texas Hill Country near Comfort, where he found joy and
fulfillment in his later years.
Tom had a remarkable sense of design
and a passion for creating unique architectural projects. His creativity came
to life through rural building endeavors near Comfort and in the picturesque
hills south of Cloudcroft within New Mexico's Lincoln National Forest. These
projects reflected his love for nature and his ability to blend functionality
with beauty.
A devoted animal lover, Tom shared his
life with numerous much-loved dogs - Critter, Miss Baby, Highway, Sweet Pea,
Sugar Spot, Byrdman and Bugs Bunny..........and even a few cats who captured
his heart over the years. His connection with animals brought him great comfort
and companionship throughout his life.
Tom is survived by his daughter Julia
Michael and son-in-law William, grandchildren Katharine and William Jr., great
grandchildren Ezra, and Nokomi, all of Landenburg, Pennsylvania. Also by son Ty
Padgett, grandson Dalton and granddaughters Nikky and Fiona and a
great-grandson. He is also remembered fondly by his niece Cathy Holt and nephew
Larry Sams and wife Beth. Also cherished and remembered for his sense of
adventure and sense of humor by his former wife Carol Zimmermann and his
partner and friend Adele Tavares.
He was predeceased by his son Johnny,
daughter Lisa, parents John Millard Padgett and Alice Heiman, sister Dorothy as
well as his niece Jennifer.
Thomas Edwin Padgett will be deeply
missed by those who knew him. May his memory bring comfort to all who were
touched by his life.
