Tom Longbotham

Thomas Elmo "Tom" Longbotham, III, of Groesbeck, passed away at Windsor Healthcare Residence on Thursday, November 14, 2013, at age 85. Visitation will be Friday, November 15, 2013, from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., at the Groesbeck Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, November 16, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church in Groesbeck, with Rev. Thomas Q. Robbins officiating. Burial will follow in Faulkenberry Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Truman Arney, Blake Rampy, Dustin Roach, Jon Hensley, Greg Truett and Clayton Young. Honorary Pallbearers will be Randall Rand, Jack Forrest, Rawls King, Jr., Dan Collins, Dick Ross, Elvis Ford, Sharon Tatum, Janie Asberry, and Stanley Gibson. Tom was born on March 16, 1928 to Epsie and Elmo Longbotham in Wortham, Texas. He graduated from Wortham High School in 1945 and joined the U. S. Merchant Marines where he served for 18 months. After returning to Texas, Tom attended Westminster College in Tehuacana. He then followed his parents, Earle and T. Elmo to Groesbeck where he began his career in the furniture business, and Longbotham Furniture continues today. He married Betty Lou Wooton in 1948, and to this union were born James Marcus (Jim) and Alys Ann Longbotham. Betty Lou passed away in 1961. On June 2, 1962 at First United Methodist Church in Groesbeck, Tom married Martha Cook Rampy, and, with her three children, Cliff, Doug and Melissa, made their home in Groesbeck. Tom and Martha celebrated their 50th anniversary on June 2, 2012 with family and friends. Tom was a Boy Scout leader and served as a Lions Club member. He served on the Groesbeck ISD School Board and the Groesbeck City Council. A devoted father and grandfather, he supported all his children and grandchildren in their academic and athletic endeavors. A staunch civic leader, he loved Groesbeck and was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Groesbeck and United Methodist Men. Tom and Martha traveled around the world with their best friends Jane and Randall Rand and shared many enjoyable moments. For its 28-year-run, Tom and Martha performed and actively supported the annual Red Stocking Follies. Tom is preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Betty Lou Longbotham, son, Doug Rampy and granddaughter, Courtney Longbotham. He is survived by his wife, Martha Longbotham of Groesbeck; son and daughter-in-law, James Marcus “Jim” and Colleen Longbotham of Groesbeck; daughter, Alys Ann Smith of Austin; son and daughter-in-law, James Clifton and Sherry Rampy of Tomball; and daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Mike Arney of Groesbeck; eight grandchildren and their spouses: Chase Smith of Ohio, Lauren and Tod Meisner of Auburn, Alabama, Erica and Dustin Roach of Groesbeck, Sarah and Jon Hensley of Austin, Truman Arney of Groesbeck, Megan and Clayton Young of Austin, Blake Rampy of Houston, Morgan and Greg Truett of Groesbeck; great grandchildren, Reicher Roach and Ruston Roach of Groesbeck, Ellyson Hensley of Austin, Courtney James Meisner of Auburn, Alabama, Tinley Truett of Groesbeck, and Ally Smith and Cole Smith of Ohio; and his sister, Martha Gant of Waco.