Thomas Emery Padgett

1929 - 2023

Thomas Emery Padgett, 93, of Springfield, formerly of Bolivar, peacefully passed away Sunday, July 16, 2023. He was the youngest of five children and the only boy, born Oct. 16, 1929, to Thomas E. and Alta O. Padgett of Mt. View.

Tom was a graduate of Mt. View High School, Southwest Baptist College (A.A.), Oklahoma Baptist University (B.A.), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.R.E), University of Texas (M.A), and University of Missouri (Ph.D.).

At SWBC, he met Shirley Margaret Morris from Blue Springs, and they married in 1952. While completing graduate degrees, he worked in youth and music ministries in Oklahoma and Texas Southern Baptist Churches and was the Assistant Director at the Texas Baptist Children's Home in Round Rock. In 1960, he moved his family back to Missouri where he taught English and directed plays at Mt. View High School.

In 1963, after a move to Bolivar, Tom began a thirty-year teaching career at SWBC/SBU. He was chair of the English department and specialized in American Literature. He energetically led numerous student trips to England, Europe, and New York City. He also taught English in China and Russia. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, and he participated in Bolivar Community Theatre and Friends of the Library. He was affectionately known in his neighborhood as "the man who walks and reads a book at the same time."

Tom had a life-long love of poetry. He was a published poet and founding member of the Missouri State Poetry Society and a local Second Tuesday Poets group. He was an officer in the National Federation of State Poetry Societies and Missouri Poets and Friends. He, along with SWBC roommate, Gene Barnett, established the Barnett-Padgett Literary Series at SBU.

Tom was known for his animated teaching, his wit and sense of humor, and his joke and storytelling ability. He had many hobbies including traveling, books, movies, crossword puzzles, card and board games, music, Broadway plays and musicals, tennis, owls, and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 70 years, Shirley, and four sisters Opal Martin, Ola Williams, Willette Heuer, and Betty Gipson. He is survived by his daughters Julie Desroches (Rich), Becky House, Tamara Samek (Mike); 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; many friends, and former students.

Memorial donations may be made to the Polk County Library Building Fund or Seasons Hospice of Springfield. There will be a joint celebration of life held Saturday, Aug. 12, at the First Baptist Church Fellowship hall at 3:30 p.m. for Tom and his sister Betty Gipson who passed away March 23, 2020.