Thomas A. Shifflett
Thomas A. Shifflett
January 8, 1940 — December 9, 2018
Thomas A. Shifflett Jr., 78, passed away Dec. 9, 2018. He was born in Marble Falls, Texas, on Jan. 8, 1940, on the Shifflett Ranch — earlier known as Lacy Lans. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Alfred Shifflett Sr. and Regina (Goeth) Shifflett, and sister, Nancy S. Fowler, all of Marble Falls.
He was the loving father of son Thomas Alfred Shifflett III. Also surviving are ex-wives Mary Ann Phelan Shifflett, mother of Thomas III; and Jo Ellen Patterson Shifflett, and her daughter Amber. Also surviving are his sister, Gina and husband Paul Ronhaar, who both became his help-mates for the last few years. Thomas is also survived by nieces and nephews, Kym Fowler, Will Fowler, Teri Hawsey, William Ronhaar (Ron), and Robert Fowler. Finally, special survivors are all the “best friends” who were too many to name.
Tommy was a graduate of Texas A&M University, where he was a proud member of the Corps of Cadets. He was an Animal Husbandry major who lived and worked at the A&M Swine Center during his third and fourth year. During these years he was on several judging teams which represented Texas A&M all over the country. The Animal Husbandry majors were a close knit group at that time, and remain so today.
Tommy treasured his close friends from Marble Falls, all new friends, his Aggie friends, his army reserve friends, and he especially loved meeting new acquaintances until the end. When seeing a stranger he thrust his hand forward to shake and said loudly, “I am Tommy Shifflett; it’s good to know you.” And then he shook hands vigorously.
After college, Tommy worked as Assistant County Agent in Gillespie County and then moved on to Travis County in the same position and worked there for a number of years. From there, he decided to move to Marble Falls and the ranch. He found a special job in Marble Falls and he began traveling the country selling products for the JM Huber Corp. He worked there until his retirement. Shortly afterward, Tommy began a hay project with the City of Marble Falls.
Tommy was a Master Mason and a member of Blazing Star Lodge #413. He also served on numerous boards in the city and county.
Our special thanks and gratitude to all who made Tommy’s life happy at the Oaks Assisted Living and the Windchime.
As Tommy travels from this earthly realm to meet his maker, one can hear Tommy’s resounding “Yeeeehaaaaw!” (When Tommy was at the Oaks Assisted Living, Mrs. Margaret Smith and her meal table group, Don Hibler, Grover Jones, and Tommy, always went to someone’s room after dinner to watch Wheel of Fortune. Margaret, a former school teacher, told the guys that if they had to be in a facility because they were unable to live alone, they at least could keep their brains working). When the program started and the announcer announced Wheel of Fortune, Tommy would yell “YEEEEEHAAAAW” and the chant echoed around the room. Tommy carried this practice to Windchime, where he would yell to let the girls know he was O.K. Sometimes, one would answer back to let Tommy know they got the message which translated: “I am happy and content; you don’t need to check on me … and I love you all.” All the girls who took care of him were beautiful, and Tommy reminded them of that fact every single day. When a caregiver took his hand to reassure him, he would pull the hand to his face and gently kiss it.
Tommy never went anywhere without meeting someone he knew – he could go to Kalamazoo, China, and the moon, and he would meet five people he knew along the way.
About 10 days ago, as Tommy lay on his hospital bed, he spoke loudly and clearly to his sister, “Hasn’t life been wonderful to us! We’ve been so lucky and I thank God.”
A graveside service was held Thursday, Dec. 13, at Marble Falls City Cemetery.
Online condolences may be made at clementswilcoxfuneralhome.com.
