Thomas James Waxham, a Shreveport native and resident, passed away on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at the age of 80. Tom was born to the late Hiram George Waxham and the late Pauline Jewel Johnson Waxham on January 9, 1943. A proud member of the C.E. Byrd High School class of 1961, Tom furthered his education at Louisiana Tech University where he obtained his bachelor's degree in engineering in May 1966. As a certified professional engineer, Tom worked as a Civil and Mechanical Engineer throughout his career, the majority of which was spent at Beaird Industries in Shreveport.
Tom married his sweetheart, Carolyn Waxham, on August 28, 1965, and spent fifty-seven years by her side. Together, they raised four children, to whom Tom was devoted, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a source of great pride.
Tom spent much of his time as a young man Civil War relic hunting, unearthing many unique and rare artifacts. An avid history buff, Tom completed many personal research projects on various military campaigns ranging from the Civil War to the Korean War. His love for learning was also reflected in the personal library he amassed throughout his lifetime. Tom, lovingly referred to as the "family historian," explored his passion for genealogy and photography by tracing and documenting the family history. Since childhood, Tom could always be found with a beloved feline companion by his side or in his lap, yet, spending time with family and friends was Tom's most cherished past-time, which he instilled in his children as well.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Carolyn Harper Waxham; children, Thomas Wayland Waxham and wife, Ashley King-Waxham, Wendy Waxham Kemper and husband, Mike Kemper, Wendall James Waxham and wife, Jennifer McNabb Waxham, and Wyla Carol Waxham; grandchildren, Ashleigh Elisabethe Von Einem and husband, Eric Von Einem, Erin Lynn Waxham, Victoria Elisabethe Waxham, Andrew James Waxham, Brett Austin Kemper, and Luke Alan Kemper; great-grandchildren, Aiden Branesky and Logan Branesky; sisters, Evangeline Waxham Trammel and Pauline Waxham-McLean, and numerous nieces and nephews. Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Terry George Waxham.
A private family service will be held.
