Thomas Steddum
Thomas Dale Steddum, age 86, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021 in Odessa, TX. He was born in Haskell County, TX on Feb. 18, 1934 to Ocie Lee and Sammye (Cox) Steddum. He married Geraline Bothe in 1976 Odessa, TX and they shared 34 years together until she passed in 2011.
Thomas was a ninth generation Texan and a member of the Eastside Church of Christ. He was a happy, kind, generous, easy-going, highly intelligent and very skilled man who worked as a cowboy, pumper, seismographer, salesman, taxpayer compliance officer for the state comptroller office, water well driller, inventor, dive master, postmaster, chief clerk for J.P. office, tax assessor/collector, and author.
He began working on ranches at the early age of five, alongside his grandfather. He was a cowboy who loved the rodeo and helped establish the Junior Rodeo Association.
Thomas was known to his friends and family as: Tom, Bud, Poppa Tom, Uncle Tom, Old Man, Grandpa, and Daddy.
Tom loved fishing, hunting, exploring caves, and scuba diving which eventually led to owning his own dive resorts. He lived life fully on his own terms. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Tom is survived by his sons: Charlie Steddum and wife Crystal of Monahans, TX., Kevin Conn and wife Edna of Odessa, TX., Joe Conn of Odessa, TX.; daughters: Jill Steddum Simonsen and husband Steve of Mentone, TX and Ange Steddum Rodriguez of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, MX; sisters: MaryBelle Jones of Mentone, TX and Mozelle Bartee of Albany, TX; grandchildren: Spencer, Bethany, Jeremy, Stephanie, Danny Kristie, Kendra, C.J., Hunter and wife Mary, Tyler, Madeline, Connor, Lucas, and Payton; great-grandchildren: Brynlee, Emmy, Cody, and Caden.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Ocie and Sammye Steddum; son: Neil Steddum; wife: Geraline Steddum; brothers-in-law: Gordon “Cooter” Bartee and Elgin “Punk” Jones; nephew: Glenn Bartee; and niece: Liz Jones.
Graveside services will be held 10:00 am, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021 at the P&M Jones Family Cemetery with Brother Joe Carrasco officiating.
Pallbearers will include: Danny Conn, Matt Jones, Hunter Simonsen, Tyler Simonsen, Madeline Simonsen, and Connor Simonsen.
Honorary Pallbearers will include: Skeet, Jones, Tom Jones, Richard Jones, Eddie Bartee, Jeremy Conn, Spencer Conn, Michael Custer, Ashbel Hermenegildo, Myra Rodriguez, Mary Simonsen.
Arrangements are entrusted to Family Services Funeral Parlor and condolences may be sent to the family online at www.fs-fp.com. PD
