Thomas Oldham, Sr

Thomas Lee Jefferson Oldham, Sr., passed suddenly from this life on February 23, 2007, at his home in Blum, Texas, at the age of 66 years. Mr. Oldham?s life began in Tucumcari, New Mexico, on March 5, 1940, and he was raised in the Texas panhandle area graduating from Amarillo?s Palo Duro High. In 1958 at Las Cruces, New Mexico, following his high school graduation, he met and married the love of his life, Valerie Lynn Helms-Bryant. Mr. Oldham entered into the Electrical Apprenticeship program with the ATT&SF RR in Clovis, New Mexico, and in 1960 joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, continuing today as an active member. His 45 year vocation as a journeyman electrician took him to 90% of the continental United States, Mexico, and Egypt until his retirement from IBEW Local Union 20 in 2002. Mr. Oldham has been an active member and supporter of youth organizations throughout his life including the Joshua Athletic Booster Club, the Joshua summer youth program, and the Blum F.F.A. Ag Boosters. He was a former member and officer of the Joshua Volunteer Fire Department, Joshua, Texas. In his retirement, Mr. Oldham ?Papa Tom? devoted his life to his wife, children, and grandchildren on his farm in Blum, Texas. He served as an online genealogical facilitator for the Oldham, Helms, Bryant, and Turner families, as well as the webmaster for the Palo Duro High School foundation Class 56-57-58 Alumni. Mr. Oldham is preceded in death by his parents, Elvin Lee Olddham and Elena Maritt Martin Oldham of Amarillo. He is survived by his brothers, Robert James Oldham and wife, Rita Oldham of Amarillo, and Elivn Albert Oldham and wife, Kathy, of Panhandle, his wife of 47 years, Valerie Lynn Helms-Bryant Oldham and four children, Thomas Lee Jefferson Oldham, II and wife, Denise Postlethwait, of Cleburne, Lynn Jeanette Oldham Cooper and husband, Darrin Scott, of Whitney, Dennis Skipper Michael Oldham and wife, Tami Grissom, of Burleson, and Mandi Ren?ee Oldham Johnson and husband, Bradley Wayne of Alvarado. ?Pappa Tom?s? grandchildren are Jeannie Lynn Oldham of San Antonio, Thomas Lee Jefferson Oldham, III of Cleburne, Corey Patrick Cooper and Justin Ryan Cooper of Whitney, Jacob Taylor Watters, Samantha Shea Watters and Casey Nicole Watters of Burleson, Destiny Jaelyn Johnson and Cassidy Nicole Johnson of Alvarado. Mr. Oldham is also survived by a number of great Aunts and Uncles as well as a great many cousins and friends.