Thomas Edward Criswell

Thomas Edward “Tommy” Criswell, of Groesbeck, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday, January 4, 2011, at age 71. The family will hold a Memorial Service at 2:00 P.M. on THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 2011, at the Criswell Cemetery, with Rev. Bob Atwell of the First Baptist Church of Groesbeck officiating. Tommy was born August 27, 1939 to Thomas E. Criswell and Carra (Fincher) Criswell at Groesbeck. He grew up and graduated from High School in Groesbeck (Class of 1957) and attended college for two years. He was united in marriage with Judy Creswell in Clute, TX on December 27, 1958. Tommy joined the U. S. Army, and was stationed for two years in Germany. Thomas was a master electrician, and a member of Local #415 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The family lived in Cheyenne, WY for eighteen years, while he traveled over the United States doing the electrical wiring on various industrial constructions, including power plants and hospitals, as well as the missile silos in Wyoming. When the children were grown, he and his wife traveled the United States in a travel trailer for the next ten years, while he worked on job sites, and he had a fantastic collection of photographs of their experiences. He purchased land near Fort Parker to which they planned to retire, just before his wife passed away in 2004. He lived there the rest of his life, where he enjoyed ranching. He was a Master Mason, a member of Groesbeck Lodge #354. He was also a devout member of the First Baptist Church of Groesbeck. He loved the Lord, his country, and his family. Thommy was preceded in death by his parents, T.E. and Carra Criswell; his wife, Judy Criswell; and son-in-law, Alfred Davis. He is survived by his daughter, Connie Davis of Marlin; son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Emily Criswell of Kansas City, MO; granddaughter, Vanessa Davis of Marlin; grandson, Levi Davis of Marlin; granddaughters, Lyndsey Criswell, and Tara Raya, of Cheyenne, Wyoming; great granddaughter, Jaylynn Lloyd of Marlin; and great grandsons, Zachary Criswell and Thomas Criswell of Cheyenne, WY; and cousins, Jim Criswell and wife Jill of Houston, and Martha Susan Bedford and husband David of OK.