Thomas GARTH Obituary

Thomas "Tommy" Garth, Jr. passed away on Saturday, the 17th of March 2012, after a ten-year struggle with Parkinson's disease.
Tommy was born on the 3rd of June, 1931, in Houston, Texas, to Thomas Garth, Sr. and Leta Palmgren Garth. Tommy attended Culver Military Academy and later graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where he was a proud brother of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, a legacy his son and grandson have continued. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War. Tommy loved life and had many passions. Among his many talents and loves were golf, hunting, fishing, tennis, squash, singing and dancing. He was accomplished at all, but golf was his true passion. He was a scratch golfer and particularly cherished the memory of winning the Club Championship at the Midland Country Club. Tommy started many traditions, which his children and grandchildren continue today - spending time in the field dove hunting, family golf outings and dancing in their kitchens.
In 1981, Tommy married Jane Wilkinson Garth in Houston, Texas. Tommy and Jane loved to travel and went on many wonderful excursions around the world. They recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. He very much enjoyed his time as a volunteer at MD Anderson.
Tommy is loved and survived by his wife, Jane, and his children, Thomas Garth, III and wife, Judy, Tanner Garth and wife, Terri, Leta Garth Johnson and Lucy Garth Carver; his grandchildren, Stewart Garth, Haley Garth, Tanner Garth, Jr. and wife, Catherine, Jake Johnson, Janet Johnson, Heidi Schafer, Travis Schafer, Meredith Schafer Burson and husband, Ty, and his great-granddaughter, Madison. Jane's children whom he loved as his own also survive Tommy: Karen Myatt Orsak and husband Lane, Kent Myatt and son, Will. He will be missed by his sister, Lettalou Garth Whittington, as well as numerous other beloved family and friends.
The family is especially grateful for the loving care given to Tommy by Helena Simpson, Shuntel Rice, Angela Ruffin and Daisy Ashley.
A memorial service is to be conducted at ten o'clock in the morning on Thursday, the 22nd of March, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where the Rev. James Grace, Canon for Christian Formation at Christ Church Cathedral, will officiate.
Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Grand Foyer.
In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in memory of Tommy may be directed to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 780, New York, NY, 10008-0780; the Parkinson's Foundation of Harris County, 7457 Harwin Dr., Suite 308, Houston, TX, 77036; or to the MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX, 77210-4486.