Thomas Wade Curnutte

He was known as TW, Tom, Dad, and his proudest title - “Papa”. He held many different jobs while growing up. He worked at a gas station, hauled hay, and worked as a janitor at his school as a teenager in small-town, rural Kansas. He was also often the babysitter for his siblings and cousins. When he wasn’t working, he would go fishing or hunting, and he enjoyed raising chickens, rabbits, and ducks. When he graduated from high school, Tom became a draftsman for metal buildings at Atlas Steel. He became a preacher at a small Baptist church in Labette, Kansas. He was married to his former spouse, Karen Curnutte, in 1973, and they had a son, Greg, in 1976. Tom had a job opportunity in California, so the family moved, and he continued to work as a draftsman and help in the local church. In 1981, he received another job opportunity in Houston, Texas, and he stayed in Houston, working in drafting until 2009. After 2009, he searched to find something else that he would be interested in for a while, and he eventually became a certified nursing assistant, working at assisted living homes. He truly enjoyed spending time with residents and caring for them, though eventually he had to retire due to his health issues. Tom’s favorite job, though, was becoming a Papa to a granddaughter, Hannah, in 2012 and then again in 2015 to his granddaughter, Madeline. He was proud of his granddaughters, and he talked to everyone about them.

Tom had various hobbies through the years. While he enjoyed fishing and hunting growing up, he also went on to coach in bowling, Little League, and softball. He made many friendships through golfing. He loved photography and won awards at the Ft. Bend County Fair. He taught himself how to knit winter hats and gave them to cancer patients who were receiving chemo treatments. He enjoyed woodworking and crafted many pieces – some of his favorite items to make were walking canes. He also built a crib and cedar chests for his granddaughters. He was a great problem solver, and he helped Greg and many other people with projects around their homes.

Thomas Curnutte was preceded in death by his father, Thomas G.L. Curnutte of Oswego, KS; stepfather, Paul Wilson of Oswego, KS; mother, Thelma Wilson of Oswego, KS; and many aunts and uncles. He is survived by his son & daughter-in-law, Greg and Michelle Curnutte, and his granddaughters, Hannah and Madeline Curnutte; Jake and Gena Curnutte (brother and sister-in-law) of Oswego, KS; Albert and Connie Wilson (brother & sister-in-law) of Parsons, KS; Donnie and Brenda Wilson (brother & sister-in-law) of Miami, OK; Connie Wilson (sister) of Oswego, KS; and former spouse, Karen Curnutte of Tahlequah, OK. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends. The family deeply appreciates the care and help that so many friends and neighbors have provided. They would also like to thank the doctors and nurses at St. Luke’s Hospital in Sugar Land who were part of his paracentesis team. Tom thought the world of them, and they made him feel special.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, February 20th, at 11am at Houston’s First Baptist Church in the Chapel. For those who are unable to attend the Celebration of Life in-person, you are welcome to visit the HFBC Memorial Services group page on Facebook and view the live service. In lieu of flowers, we would ask you to make donations to the Julianna Poor Memorial Counseling Center (7401 Katy Freeway, Ste. 600, Houston TX 77024) or to the 127 Legacy Foundation (https://www.127legacy.com/donate) on his behalf.