Thomas Paul Spinks passed away at his home on July 12, 2021 surrounded by his loving family. Thom was born on July 28, 1930 in Knapp, Texas. Thom was the second of five children born to Ada Mary “Mollie” Thomson and Thomas Ganey Spinks. At an early age, Thom moved with his family to Kermit, Texas where he attended school, graduating from Kermit High School in 1948. Thom was a proud Kermit Yellowjacket, playing halfback on the Kermit football team and earning the nickname “Tiger Thom”. Throughout his life he was affectionately known as “Tiger” by his friends and family. Upon high school graduation at the age of 17, Thom enlisted in the US Air Force. His first assignment was in Fairbanks, Alaska. Thom’s next assignment took him to Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, where he met the beautiful Catherine Villaret. Thom and Catherine were married on December 2, 1951 and enjoyed sixty nine years of marriage, living in many different places throughout his Air Force career, including Okinawa, California and Hawaii as well as time spent in Virginia while Thom was assigned to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Thom’s last assignment brought them back to Goodfellow in San Angelo, where Thom retired as Chief Master Sergeant after thirty years of service to his country. In retirement Thom and Catherine enjoyed traveling, especially their annual trips to the coast of Texas with their grandchildren.
Thom was a skilled craftsman, he restored and added a second story to their beloved home in San Angelo. Thom knew how everything worked, he repaired clocks throughout the years for family and friends. He loved to make the old like new again, one of his favorite projects was restoring a 1967 Ford Mustang.
Thom and Catherine have two sons, Colegate Villaret Spinks of San Angelo and Scott Thomas Spinks of Midland. Thom was also a proud grandfather to four grandchildren. The arrival of a great-grandson brought much joy into his life during the past year.
Thom was a member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, serving on the Church Vestry for many years. Thom lived his faith by serving others. His family and friends knew if they had any need at all, he could be counted on for help.
Thom was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Bill Spinks and Rick Spinks. He is survived by his wife, Catherine Spinks, son Colegate Spinks, grandsons, Zachary Thomas Spinks and Zane Whalen Spinks, son Scott Spinks and wife, Lynda, granddaughter, Mary Catherine Spinks, grandson Robert Thomas Spinks and wife, Missy and great grandson, Robert Woodrow Spinks. He is also survived by two sisters, Neva Joyce Cooper and Martha Spinks.
Services will be at Emmanuel Episcopal Church of San Angelo at 11am on Thursday, July 15, 2021. Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at www.johnsons-funeralhome.com
