Thomas Jefferson 'Tommy' Waggoner III, 83

Thomas Jefferson “Tommy” Waggoner III, passed away peacefully in Wichita Falls, Texas, on June 20, 2017, at the age of 83.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 24, at First Presbyterian Church of Wichita Falls with Dr. Isaac Butterworth officiating. A reception will follow in the atrium of the church.

Tommy was born on March 6, 1934, in Wichita Falls to Jane and T.J. Waggoner, Jr. and was the grandson of Wichita County pioneers, Mary and Jeff Waggoner.

He was a graduate of Wichita Falls High School and an Eagle Scout with Troop 1. Tommy was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity at both Southern Methodist University and then the University of Texas at Austin. He graduated from UT with a Bachelor of Science in Geology degree.

Tommy married the love of his life, Marilyn Wheeler, on June 23, 1956. Subsequent to his graduation, he served in the United States Air Force. Upon discharge, he was a geologist with the Bridwell Oil Company in Wichita Falls until moving with his family to Dallas in 1969. There, he was the founder and chairman of the board of Trans-Western Exploration Company. He was a member of the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, Highland Park Presbyterian Church, the Dallas Country Club and the North Texas Oil and Gas Association.

Upon his retirement in 1994, Tommy and Marilyn moved from Dallas to Barton Creek Lakeside in Spicewood, Texas, and then in 2002 they moved again to Bigfork, where they were inspired daily by the splendor of the Rocky Mountains. In 2015, Tommy and Marilyn’s journey came full circle when they moved back to Wichita Falls. Tommy was grateful to be back in North Texas, surrounded by family and lifelong friends.

Tommy and Marilyn traveled the world and had many adventures together in their 60-plus years of marriage. He was an avid sportsman who loved hunting, fly fishing, summers at Possum Kingdom Lake, golf, butter, jellybeans and, most of all, his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jane and T.J. Waggoner Jr.; his brother and wife, Richard Moore “Dick” Waggoner and Lucia Hartgrove Waggoner; and his sister-in-law and her husband, Barbara Wheeler Cullum and James A. “Old Sport” Cullum; as well as many wonderful friends.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Wheeler Waggoner, and his children, T.J. “Jeff” Waggoner IV, his daughters, Jill Louise Waggoner and Amy Jeannette Waggoner; his granddaughter, Jamie Wheeler Waggoner. He also leaves behind his beloved dog, Clover. He is also survived by his brother, John Stephens Waggoner, and wife Elizabeth “Betsy” Denman Waggoner; as well as his sister, Judy Waggoner Lambert. He also had many loving and caring nieces and nephews who doted on him and brought much joy to his life. He was thankful for his caregiver Jackie, and the nursing teams at The Gables and Hospice of Wichita Falls.

Contributions can be made to Boy Scouts of America, Salesmanship Club of Dallas, Blue Dog Rescue of Austin or Hospice of Wichita Falls.