Tatom, Lamar Patrick (Pat), of Birmingham died Friday, October 4, 2019, in Jacksonville, FL, where he had been for the last 10 months. He was born February 4, 1928 in Jackson, Mississippi, the only son of the late Arthur Lamar Tatom and Katherine McGough Tatom. Having grown up in Jackson, Mississippi, he always claimed his Mississippi heritage proudly. If he met another Mississippian through his travels, then he had met a friend. Following graduation from Forest Hill High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Two months after he enlisted the Japanese surrendered. Although he was only in the Navy for two years, he always talked about the positive affect the Navy had on his life. After discharge, he entered the University of Southern Mississippi and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing and Merchandising. He was a founding member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity chapter on campus and was a member of various honor clubs. He was active in several sports at “Mississippi Southern” and was the recipient of the Outstanding Intramural Athlete Award. After graduation in 1950 and a short time with JC Penney he was hired by Southern Bell Telephone Co in 1951. He worked in Jackson, Mississippi; Columbia, South Carolina; also, Shreveport, Minden and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He found his forever home when he was transferred to Birmingham in 1968 to the Comptrollers Department of the then newly created South Central Bell, which later became a part of BellSouth Telecommunications. His career covered most areas within the Comptroller’s department and even included a period of time in Public Relations. He ultimately retired from BellSouth in 1991 as the General Internal Auditor. His greatest joy however came from identifying talent, hiring people and helping them as they grew in their careers.
He was a 51-year member of Mountain Brook Baptist Church where he served the church in many capacities including Sunday School teacher to Middle School boys, helping develop annual budgets, mission activities, as a Deacon and Life Deacon and as Chairman of the Board of Deacons. Mr. Tatom had been a member of various civic, charitable and professional organizations and was a member of Vestavia Country Club.
Mr. Tatom is survived by the love of his life, his beautiful wife of 68 years, Annette Girod Tatom; one son, Michael Patrick Tatom and wife Judy, of Jacksonville, FL; one daughter, Kathy Tatom Cooksey and husband Mark of Cleveland, TN; two granddaughters Mrs. Patricia Cooksey Smith and husband, Major Charles of Douglasville, GA. and Mrs. Michelle Cooksey King and husband, Captain Chris of Columbia, SC; two step-granddaughters, Mrs. Brea Ann Nelson and husband, Scott and Mrs. Jennifer Beth Guss and husband, Peter both of Jacksonville, FL; two great-granddaughters Miss Autumn Smith and Miss Charlotte King and three great-grandsons Masters Cole and Nolan Smith and Mason King; two step great-granddaughters Miss Haley Nelson and Miss Riley Guss and three step great-grandsons, Masters Lucas and Logan Guss and Cooper Nelson. Of all the accomplishments and roles of which Mr. Tatom could be proud, he was most proud of this family that he led, mentored, witnessed to and loved without reservation or requirement. His was the most sincere and deep love that a family could ever ask from a husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
A memorial service for Mr. Tatom will be held on October 23, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. and Dr. Doug Dortch, Senior Minister will officiate the service at Mountain Brook Baptist Church. Interment will be in the Columbarium at Mountain Brook Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mountain Brook Baptist Church, Joe Lee Griffin Hope Lodge, or Big Oak Ranch.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.8.18