Thomas Larry Baudat was born on November 13th, 1942 in Houston, Texas to Edward and Violet Baudat. He passed away on October 10th, 2022 at the age of 79 after a nearly 10-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. Tom will be remembered as a loving husband, a wonderful father and grandfather, and a devout Catholic.
Tom was raised in Houston, the youngest of 4 boys, attending Aldine High School and then receiving his Mechanical Engineering Degree from the University of Houston. While working as a teacher and basketball coach after college, he met his beautiful bride Elaine and they married in 1969 and resided in Houston. He was a loving husband to his wife Elaine for 53 years, raising 3 children together. Tom moved his family to Conroe, Texas in 1981 where he lived the rest of his life. He worked as an engineer, starting a successful water and sewer utility company with his brother Walter, which gave him great pride. He was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Conroe for nearly 40 years, serving on the church board, and singing alongside Elaine in her choir. Tom and Elaine were both Eucharistic Ministers, participated in Marriage Encounter, and were Sponsor Couples to many engaged couples preparing for marriage in the Catholic Church. They were part of the Sacred Heart small church communities which were started by Father Dave Kennedy. In addition to singing alongside Elaine in the choir, Tom enjoyed participated in the Crighton Theatre productions, singing in 12 musicals. He picked up skiing at the age of 45 and fell in love with Colorado, both in summer and winter, which led to Tom and Elaine's buying land outside of Leadville, Colorado. His retirement project was building a lovely vacation house for his family to enjoy in Colorado, and he and Elaine would spend half of each year there enjoying its beauty and inviting friends and family to visit.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, along with his brothers Robert and Walter. He is survived by his wife Elaine, his brother Ned Baudat, daughter Jennifer Derzapf and husband Ricky, daughter Margaret Rohde and husband Gert, son Mark Baudat and fiancé Sarah Jane. He leaves behind 5 grandchildren: Tyler, Abby, Evan, Luke, and Sophia, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Tom will be greatly missed by friends and extended family.
Tom wasn't able to remember his family and friends, or details from his wonderful life these last few years due to his memory loss. But now in the company of angels he's been given his memory back and we know he is enjoying seeing and remembering everyone again. He must be in awe at how his grandchildren have grown, he must be amazed at the strong and successful children he raised, and he must be so proud of his wife who has been by his side through it all.
The family would like to give thanks to the wonderful caregivers at Village Green Alzheimer's Care Home in Conroe for embracing and caring for Tom part of this last year.
Tom's Visitation and Rosary will be held at Cashner Funeral Home on Sunday October 16th from 5-8pm, located at 801 Teas Road in Conroe Texas. His Funeral Mass will follow on Monday October 17th at 2pm at Sacred Heart Catholic Church located at 109 N Frazier Street in Conroe. In Lieu of flowers, the family prefers you consider donations to Sacred Heart Church or Sacred Heart School Library (www.shconroe.org), or to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org).
