TJ “Tom” Thurmond, 88, of Celina, Texas, passed away on September 26, 2026. He was born October 1, 1937, in Beeville, Texas, to TJ Sr. and Eunice “Susie” Thurmond. After his father’s death, his mother married Robert Armentrout, whom Tom knew and loved as “Daddy,” a relationship he cherished throughout his life.
If you knew Tom, you knew how sharp he was. So, it’s no surprise that he skipped third grade, graduating from Kingsville High School at 17. Tom attended North Texas State College (now known as UNT). While visiting his mother in Aransas Pass, he helped with the Dairy Queen she owned. There, he met the love of his life, Roberta McMullen.
“Tommy” and “Berta,” as they affectionately called each other, quickly fell in love. One evening in the car, he slipped his class ring onto her hand, and that was it! Anxious to start their life together, they married on February 2, 1957. They started their marriage living in Orange, Texas. They welcomed their first son, Thomas Gregory “Greg” in 1963, and their younger son, Michael Heath “Mike” in 1966.
Tom coached baseball and football teams for both boys over the years, while his career at DuPont took the family on quite a journey. They moved nearly every 2 years and treasured the friendships that came with each place they called home. Following a long and successful career with DuPont’s engineering group, Tom retired in 1998 while living in Houston.
While living in Houston, Tom joined his neighborhood fantasy football league and continued playing alongside the same teammate, Chip, for over 30 years. On Thursdays, Sundays, and Mondays, he could be found watching every game he had players in and recording scores on paper—something he continued until he was 87. He was a football fanatic and took great pride when the “Semeyes” won the league multiple times over the years. Even after moving to Florida, Tom and Roberta returned to Houston every Labor Day weekend for the league’s in-person draft, a tradition they both enjoyed and an opportunity to catch up with longtime Houston friends.
Tom became “Papa” to Morgan, Ryan, Sean, and Alana between 1994 and 1998, a role he cherished and thrived in.
In 2005, Tom and Roberta moved to Fairview, Texas, to be closer to family. They spent 20 years in Heritage Ranch, where Tom was an avid tennis player, bridge player, and trivia team member. They enjoyed travel; Tom’s favorite trip was a Mediterranean cruise, which he advised was the one must-see place people had to see in their lifetime.
Tom was a loving husband, father, Papa, great-grandfather, and friend whose kindness and generosity touched the lives of all who knew him. He and Roberta shared 69 years of marriage, building a life filled with love, family, friendship, travel, laughter, and countless memories.
During the last year of Tom’s life, he and Roberta moved to Celina, Texas, to be closer to family once again.
TJ “Tom” Thurmond 10/1/1937 – 9/26/26
Tom is survived by his beloved wife, Roberta; his two sons and daughters-in-law, Greg and Margaret Thurmond of Celina, Texas, and Michael and Susan Thurmond of North Augusta, South Carolina.
He is also survived by grandchildren, Morgan Polson and husband, Greg, of Lubbock, Texas; Sean Thurmond and wife, Presley, of Houston, Texas; Ryan Thurmond and wife, Haley, of Chapin, South Carolina; and Alana Thurmond and fiancé, Brandon, and his son, Lennon, of Seaford, Delaware; his great-grandchildren, Layne and Kollins; and countless other family members and friends.
The family thanks Tribute Senior Living in Prosper, the hospice team, and the friends who visited him while he was in memory care.
Tom will be remembered for his gentle nature, kindness, generosity, quick wit, and love of family. He cared deeply for others and brought warmth and companionship to those around him. Above all, he treasured his family and the life he and Roberta built together.
Tom will be deeply missed by Roberta, his family, and all who had the privilege of knowing and loving him. His family finds comfort in the 69 years of love he and Roberta shared, the life they built together, the many happy memories he leaves behind, and most especially in knowing they’ll be reunited in Heaven someday.
A celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, October 11, 2026, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013.
A reception will be held at 3:30 pm at the Hilton Garden Inn in the “Allen Room,” at 705 Central Expressway South, Allen, Texas 75013, after the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a donation to Patient Care Advocates, in honor of Tom, to help seniors who cannot afford the wound-care supplies and treatment they need; www.PatientCare-Advocates.org or to the charity of their choice.