Tommy R Whitwell, 79, of Pearsall, passed away January 8, 2021 in Lytle, Texas.
Tommy grew up in Divot and was the oldest of 4 boys. He was a 1960 graduate of Dilley High School. He would often times tell stories of his childhood and how he was able to attend school if there wasn’t farming to be done. He talked about Divot a lot these last couple of years. So much so, that the Hospice Chaplain had to go check it out for himself and make sure it really existed. The chaplain called Theresa one afternoon and said “I just drove through Divot Texas”.
At the age of 22 Tommy was drafted into the United State Army and proudly served our country. He was stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He enjoyed sharing stories with his grandson Derek about his job of driving big trucks while he was there, namely the deuce and a half. After his discharge he spent a few years helping his dad survey land and until he became ill could still tell you every back road, dirt road in Frio and Medina Counties.
Tommy and Lorraine met at the St. Louis Day picnic in Castroville and were married on July 25, 1970. They spent a short time living back in Divot near the old home place before moving to Pearsall to raise their family. Tommy and Lorraine did everything together. Rarely would you see one and not the other. He worked for CPL for 35 years while Lorraine worked also. They managed to meet at their home every day for lunch through those years and listen to Paul Harvey on the radio. Tommy supported all ofhis kids endeavors from Little League to Livestock shows he was there. He volunteered many years and hours prepping and preparing the Little League fields, umpiring, and anything he could do to help the youth. He was a longtime member of the Lions Club where he put in many, many hours of volunteer work to help his community. Jacob and Theresa recall visiting the Texas Lions Camp for handicap children during the summers where annual meetings were held. In later years Tommy and Lorraine would volunteer their time with Relay for Life. This inspired him to offer his time to others in need, driving people to their cancer treatments and taking others to their doctor appointments. He would spend hours in waiting rooms visiting with strangers. He loved people!
His 3 grandchildren, Carla, Derek, and Tucker were the light of his life. He enjoyed nothing more than spending time with them, making them laugh, rolling on the floor with them and occasionally flipping them out of chairs. One thing was certain they never left his house without some kind of trinket, a pocket full of change or candy.
Tommy spent the last 2 years at Country Life Assisted Living. Even with his health declining he always insisted on helping. Whether it was taking the trash out, changing light bulbs or anything they would let him get his hands on he did it because he loved to help. He told Dustin and Theresa he was the “Senior Advisor” of the place.
Tommy will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and the community he loved so much. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness and giving.
Services were held on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Interment with Military Honors will follow in the Pearsall Cemetery.
Arrangements under the direction of the Hurley Funeral Home, 608 E Trinity, Pearsall, Texas 78061. (830-334-3361)