Texas lost a native son, Tommy David Bumpass, Saturday, November 10th in Brownwood, Texas. Tommy, lovingly known to his family as Tom Laundry, Dad, Big Dad, Cowboy D, and Papa Tom, lost his battle with cancer at age 82. He faced his prognosis with dignity and courage and encouraged his family to do the same.
Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at Georgetown Cemetery in Pottsboro, Texas. Beloved friend, Dr. Mark Waters of Abilene, Texas, will officiate. Family visitation will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at Fisher Funeral Home in Denison. A memorial service will be held at a later date, in Brownwood, Texas.
Tommy was born May 11, 1930 in Lubbock, Texas in the home of his grandparents, Thomas and Estelle Bumpass. He was the youngest of three children born to Jonah Clay (J.C.) and Ethel Purcell Bumpass. Tommy attended Lubbock public schools. He married his high school sweetheart, Billie Jean Cathey, on June 4, 1949. Tommy began his working career at the age of 8 delivering newspapers. At age 13 he graduated to soda jerk, and by age 15 he was driving a linen supply route after school. Tommy established his first business, Caprock Laundry and Dry Cleaners, in Lubbock, Texas in 1957. Tommy later owned and operated Snyder Laundry and Dry Cleaners in Snyder, Texas. He prided himself in being a third-generation laundry, dry cleaning, and linen supply businessman. Tommy was twice elected president of the South Plains Laundry Association and was often quoted in trade journals. He was also a farmer and rancher, raising quality cattle in Grayson County. Tommy was a moral, principled, hard-working man and a devoted family man. He was respected in all his fields of endeavor. He will be deeply missed by family and friends.
Tommy is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 63 years, Billie; their children, Tommie Jean Wiggins and husband, Mike of Denison, Texas, Rhonda Jo Wickline of Brownwood, Texas, and Timothy David Bumpass of Brownwood, Texas; sister, Lola Lee of Austin, Texas, brother, Clay Bumpass of Bandera, Texas; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ronald and Nancy Cathey of Dallas, Texas; adored grandchildren Lacy Freeman and husband, Matthew of Copperas Cove, Texas, Jami Adami and husband, Tyson of Little Elm, Texas, Chad Wickline of Corpus Christi, Texas, Megan Wickline of Brownwood, Texas, Stephanie Taylor and husband, Benjamin of Ellicott City, Maryland, and Shannon Ratliff and husband, Tyler of Addison, Texas; the youngest apples of his eye, great-grandchildren Abigail Taylor, Julia Adami, Parker Freeman, and Andrew Freeman, three nieces, three nephews and their families. He is preceded in death by his parents, a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins, and a number of dear friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made in Tommy’s name to your church’s children’s bus ministry, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, or the charity or church of your choice.
The family extends its gratitude to Solaris Hospice of Brownwood, Texas.
Arrangements are under the direction of Fisher Funeral Home, 604 West Main in Denison, Texas.
