Tom Passmore

Tom Passmore, Sr., 89, of Monahans, passed away on April 5, 2023, in Lubbock, Texas, surrounded by his loving family.  Tom was born June 14, 1933, to Garvin Grant Passmore, Sr., and Edna Jewel Foster Passmore, in Florence, Arizona.  Tom was the youngest of three sons to be born into this family with a long history in the farming industry.  In 1935, the Passmores moved their farming operation from Arizona to the Lower Rio Grande River Valley at Clint, Texas, farming cotton and alfalfa.  In 1946, when Tom was in the 9th grade, his family moved their operation to Pecos, Texas, where they were among the first farmers to clear land and drill water wells at the beginning of the Pecos farming boom that followed the end of World War II.  Tom attended Pecos High School, lettering in basketball all four years and he was the first president of the Pecos Chapter of the FFA.  During his junior year, his father passed away and Tom’s participation on the family farm increased in the hours before and after school.  It was around this time that he and Wanda Francis Cleveland started dating.  They were married September 27, 1953, and the love and marriage they shared was a bond that continued to be unwavering throughout the years, as they approached their 70th wedding anniversary.  During the early years of their marriage, Tom served his country in the Army and then returned to Pecos.  He continued farming and later added cattle feeding operation.  Although always a farmer in his heart, Tom and Wanda moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1976 where he became a real estate appraiser.  In 1984, to be closer to family, they moved to Midland and established his appraisal business and, for 27 years, he and Wanda enjoyed the life they built there.  Upon retirement, they moved to Monahans and, as with every move, the first task was to find a church.  They were welcomed with open arms by their new church family at the 3rd and Dwight Church of Christ.  Throughout the years, Tom always put the Lord first and set a standard of living for Christ that his family always looks to for guidance.  Helping others was very important to him and Wanda, so they found great joy in delivering meals on wheels, which they continued to do well into their eighties.  Tom is leaving a host of family and friends to cherish their memories of him as he has made the ultimate journey to heaven where someday we will all meet again.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Garvin, Jr. and Dean.

He is survived by his wife, Wanda; son Tom Passmore, Jr. (Kim) and their daughters Paige Halphen (David) and Katie Coultress (George); son Mike Passmore (Kim) and their children Tregg Passmore (Summer), Todd Passmore (Stephanie), and Crystal Ice (Noel); and daughter Vickie Armstrong (David) and their daughter Erin Jordan (Chris); plus great grandchildren, Finley and Davis Halphen, Annabelle and Violet Coultress, Hayden, Harrison and Heath Passmore, Wyatt, Reagan and Sydney Passmore, Hunter, Taylor and McKenzie Orona and Beckham Ice.  He is also survived by numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Tregg Passmore, Todd Passmore, Noel Ice, David Halphen, George Coultress and Chris Jordan.  Honorary pallbearers will be Josh Gilbert, Chase Gilbert, Zach Gilbert, and Sam Gilbert.

Funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM, Thursday, April 13 at the 3rd and Dwight Church of Christ with Minister Sean Prather officiating.   A burial will follow at Mount Evergreen Cemetery in Pecos, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the New Mexico Christian Children’s Home, in care of 3rd and Dwight Church of Christ, or charity of your choice.  The family of Tom Passmore wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Ward Memorial Emergency Room, EMS and care flight personnel, along with the staff of Covenant Hospital in Lubbock.