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Submitted: 6/8/21 • Approved: 6/8/21 • Last Updated: 6/11/21 • R425657-G425657-S3
Thomas Leon
May 10, 1932-April 6, 2012
Virginia
January 11, 1929-February 16, 2016
Married June 21, 1960
Photo/information, courtesy of Edith Guynes Stanley
*Obituary Thomas
BORGER — Thomas Leon Edmonds, 79, of Borger died Friday, April 6, 2012.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in First Presbyterian Church in Borger. Arrangements are by Brown Funeral Directors of Borger.
Tom was born May 10, 1932, in Borger to Flora Love and Cline Azel Edmonds. He grew up in the Gulf Camp and graduated valedictorian from Borger High School. Tom received a degree in chemical engineering from Texas Tech University and began working for Phillips Petroleum Company in Borger, in 1953. He became head of the Operations Analysis Division and spent much of his time working with the Research and Development Division in Bartlesville, Okla.
Active in Toastmasters, Tom was a champion of the performing arts in West Texas. He particularly enjoyed opera and ballet and was a member of the Tri-City Concert Association.
While in Bartlesville, Tom met and fell in love with Virginia Leon, who also worked for Phillips. Their first encounter was in an Arthur Murray dance class where they were paired up to dance the Tango. Tom and Virginia were married in Raton, N.M., in 1960, and began their life together in Borger. In 1963, they welcomed the birth of their only child, Stephanie.
Tom worked in computer analysis and R and D for several companies across Texas and the midwest, including McDonnell Douglas, but decided to return to Texas Tech to study law in 1971. He began his second career practicing oil and gas law in Borger in 1974. Over the years, Tom partnered with many good friends, but ended his legal career representing Borger both as prosecuting attorney and on the board of the Canadian River Municipal Water Authority.
Tom was a kind and generous man and he loved to help people and animals alike. He had a big heart and was always willing to support those less fortunate than himself.
Tom and Virginia celebrated 50 years together in 2010. As Virginia’s health began to decline, she moved into an assisted living facility in Amarillo. Soon thereafter Tom moved to a nearby apartment and made an effort to visit her every evening and tuck her into bed.
Tom is survived by his wife, Virginia Edmonds; a daughter, Stephanie Sullivan; a son-in-law, Douglas Sullivan; and his little dog, Max.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
The family suggests memorials be sent to the Amarillo SPCA.
(Published in Amarillo Globe-News, April 10, 2012)
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Texas, Birth Certificates, 1903-1932
Name: Thomas Leon Edmonds
Birth Date: 10 May 1932
Gender: Male
Birth Place: Borger, Hutchinson, Texas, USA
Father: Cline Azel Edmonds
Father Birth Place: Quinslin, Texas
Mother: Flora Lane
Mother Birth Place: Waxahachie, Texas
Mother Residence: Borger, Texas
*Obituary Virginia
Virginia Edmonds
January 11, 1929 - February 16, 2016
Virginia Marguerite Leon Edmonds, 87, of Amarillo, died Tuesday, February 16, 2016.
Virginia was born January 11,1929, in Mound Valley, Kansas to Amado and Eublogia (Mejia) Leon. The seventh of ten children, she excelled in school and became the first in her family to pursue higher education. After attending Coffeyville Community College, Virginia received a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages at Kansas University. She was proud of her Jayhawks and followed their basketball prowess throughout her life.
Virginia began her career in the International Department at Phillips Petroleum Company in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. It was there she met Thomas Edmonds, a chemical engineer at Phillips. The two literally danced into each others lives in an Arthur Murray class and were married in the summer of 1960.
Tom and Virginia began their married life in Borger, Texas and in 1963 welcomed the birth of their only child, Stephanie. Virginia assumed the full-time roles of wife and mother as the family moved around Texas and the Midwest. When Tom decided to attend law school, Virginia returned to work in the Administration Department at Texas Tech University and earned her degree in Education.
In 1974, the family relocated to Borger where Virginia taught Spanish and World History at Borger High School. A passionate educator, Virginia expected the best from her students and wanted them to succeed in school as well as in life. After a short-lived "retirement", she resumed her career teaching English as a second language at Borger Middle School and Frank Phillips College.
Virginia was also an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Borger and served as a deacon for several years.
Although Virginia took life very seriously, she did have a wry sense of humor. She loved to travel, but delighted in gardening at home, too. An avid reader, Virginia always had a couple of historical novels or murder mysteries in progress. And lacking grandchildren, she especially enjoyed the company of her dogs.
Virginia is survived by her daughter, Stephanie Edmonds Sullivan, son-in-law Douglas Sullivan and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 20, in First Presbyterian Church of Borger. Arrangements are by Brown Funeral Directors of Borger.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Services are entrusted to Brown Funeral Directors.
(Published by Brown Funeral Directors, February 17, 2016)
Contributed on 6/8/21
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Record #: 425657