Thomas Jefferson Hullum

1929 - 2024

Thomas Jefferson Hullum, 94, passed away on January 4, 2024.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at Vanderveer Street Church of Christ officiated by Tim Denton, with interment at Burnet City Cemetery.

Thomas Hullum is a Burnet, Texas native. He first attended school in the old limestone school (behind the "old" high school), later graduated from the "new" high school on Pierce Street with his 36 classmates. That high school was destroyed in the horrific Burnet tornado. Burnet was a football town even back then. Although only weighing 138 pounds, he was an all-district center on offense and middle linebacker. Just a side note: the heaviest player on the 24-man team roster only weighed 165 pounds. He enjoyed showing his calves at many livestock shows far and near Burnet. When he was sixteen years old, he drove himself and a friend to compete at the Houston Livestock Show. He only got pulled over once going down a one-way street the wrong way in downtown Houston. After high school he attended barber college in Austin, Texas. He married his high school sweetheart, Berniece Jackson, on March 26, 1949. Thomas completed barber college and then the two could not wait to return back home to Burnet, Texas.

Thomas and Berniece would have celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in March. They have two children, Lou Ann Alexander (and Craig) and Jeff Hullum (and Tammy) both of Burnet. God has also blessed them with four grandchildren Sunya Denton (and Chris), Sky Hullum (and Becca), Shaylah Cunningham (and Brandon) all of Burnet, and Starla Martin (and Jordan) of Gunter and six great-grandchildren, Jaxson, Journey, Jett, Jagger, Judd, and Jase (and one more on the way). Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Alpha Hullum, Brother, R.C. Hullum, and two sons; Thomas Randy Hullum and Tommie Ray Hullum.

Thomas was a lieutenant in the National Guard for eleven years. He was a member of the Burnet Volunteer Fire Department for 35 years. Thomas served on the Burnet City Council for several terms. The youth of Burnet were always very important to Thomas. He served as a 4-H Director and coached Burnet Little League for many years. He was the president of the Burnet Cemetery Lot Owners Association. He was the parade marshal for the Burnet Bluebonnet Parade in 2014 and it was declared Thomas Hullum Day. In 2019 he was named Citizen of the Year by Burnet Chamber of Commerce. Thomas is a member of the Vanderveer Street Church of Christ. He was currently serving as one of the directors of the upcoming All Class Reunion. Thomas has owned Hullum's Barber Shop on the square in downtown Burnet for 75 years. Governor Preston Smith appointed him to the barber board where he served for 7 years and was elected president of the Texas State Barber Board. At the young age of 94 Thomas could still be seen cutting hair at Hullum's Barber Shop. He had a new motto in recent years. "I am always there unless I am gone!" He always told his children to never waste a day; be sure you do a little work each day. He enjoyed the many friends he made through the years in the barber shop. In 1974 he got his auctioneer license. He auctioned for 38 years. He has done many estate auctions throughout the Highland Lakes.

Thomas has also done many charity auctions. The auctions where he was helping others were always his favorite. One he took great pride in was the Cory Fulbright Fundraiser Auction where he helped the community raise over $110,000.00. Thomas enjoyed ranching and "piddling" on his land that he fondly referred to as "The Humdinger", woodworking, following his grandchildren and great-grandchildren far and near, and putting on his kelly green, sitting next to his bride, while cheering on the Burnet Bulldogs no matter the season. He enjoyed them all. He was one of the Burent Bulldogs biggest boosters! His children are thankful cell phones were invented, so they could keep up with their parents. He and Berniece kept the road hot, as the family would jokingly refer to him as their very own "Antique Dennis the Menace"

Arrangements under the care of Jenkins Funeral Home, Burnet, Texas.