Tatham and Irene "Grandma T" Tatham. He passed away leaving a lasting imprint of love, faith,
stories, and strong family ties.
Tom’s life was a remarkable journey that took him places far and wide, yet it was his formative
years in Wyoming that left an indelible imprint on his character. He attended Laramie High
School, where his love for athletics blossomed. His football team's victory in the 1955 and 1956
state championship laid the groundwork for his future passion. After graduating from high
school, Tom joined the Marines and was stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego. Upon
arrival, he got a fresh crew cut and departed years later with an eye-catching Southern
California paint job on his car.
After returning to Laramie, Tom earned his master's degree from the University of Wyoming. He
then built a successful career in football coaching, starting out in high school and working his
way up to the collegiate level. His coaching journey included stops at Adams State, the
University of Wyoming, and the University of North Dakota - all exotic coaching locations. Tom
experienced many memorable moments, from working with Wyoming football coaching legends
in Lloyd Eaton and Paul Roach, to future NFL stars including Conrad Dobler, to reaching the
pinnacle of his coaching career in 1972. That year, the University of North Dakota won the
Camellia Bowl against Cal-Poly, a game made even more remarkable by a rare snowfall in
Sacramento that helped the team secure the NCAA West College Football Championship for
North Dakota and the #1 ranking in the Division II Football final poll.
Tom and his first wife Kaye (Glenn) raised five children. While Tom took immense pride in his
kids, they also gave him his fair share of headaches with their youthful indiscretions. Growing up
in 1950s, Wyoming shaped a practical approach to life's minor setbacks for Tom. Before starting
his coaching career, Tom worked as a rodeo clown during his early college years to help pay the
bills as a new father. Little did he know, this served as the perfect training ground for raising five
kids. Lessons learned from both the rodeo and his coaching career influenced his parenting
philosophy, which he passed on to his kids. They quickly learned that simple remedies like
athletic tape or ice wraps could fix or cure almost anything.
Tom's Wyoming ingenuity not only fueled a diverse and successful corporate career after retiring
from coaching that took him around the globe but also led to unforgettable family adventures.
Such as the time he demonstrated his early sales work for a company specializing in explosives
with a bang—literally and figuratively—in Poudre Canyon in Northern Colorado. The family
ventured up there, where Tom set off a small explosive to their collective awe. Adding to the
excitement was the spectacle of Tom hastily running around trying to extinguish a grass fire that
had ignited as a result of the explosion. Tom's life blended his adventurous spirit and
resourcefulness; they were integral parts of his character that enriched the lives of everyone
around him.
Tom resided in Houston, Texas, with Sue, his loving wife of more than 30 years, and passed
away due to a heart condition. Doctors were unable to confirm that his condition was
“potentially” worsened by his fondness for cheese quesadillas, from his favorite Mexican
restaurant, Alicia's. Tom was a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and
great-grandfather. He took great pleasure in watching the Houston Astros and Wyoming football,
listening to country music, and enjoying lime popsicles. He leaves behind a family of whom he
was incredibly proud.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Janet. He is survived by his devoted wife,
Sue; sister, Judy (Dick) Agee; and children, Krista (Jon) Burkhardt, Amy (Robert) Cashel,
Ty (Jennifer) Tatham, Marci (Larry) Ross, and Matt Tatham. He also leaves behind Sue's
children, Latecia (Doug), Kent (Laurie), and Shawnee, as well as numerous grandchildren,
great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, 10:30AM, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, Texas 77079.
Memorial contributions may be made to Houston Hospice,1905 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas
77030, www.houstonhospice.org in Tom's name.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.katyfh.com.
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