Tom E. Slocum

Thomas E. Slocum, 69, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 14, 2013 in Austin, Texas, with his family at his side. Tom was born on July 1, 1943 in Catskill, New York to Frank and Elizabeth Slocum.

Tom attended school in Wappingers Falls, New York. He joined the Navy Reserves at the age of 17 and later, in 1963, he joined the Air Force where he served our country for over 20 years. He attended Park College while in the service and received his BS in psychology prior to his retirement. While working full time, he attended St Edwards University, Austin, Texas and received his MS in sociology and psychology. He worked at Bergstrom Air Force Base as a civilian until the air base closed. Then he worked for the State of Texas at the Texas Youth Commission in Giddings, Texas. He loved working with adolescents and moved to West, Texas to direct a boys ranch. He briefly had a private home for adolescents in Austin, Texas. He once again worked for the State of Texas for the Alcohol and Drug Department until his retirement in 2003.

Tom was an ordained Baptist Minister and served at South First Baptist Church as the assistant pastor and as the Superintendent for their Christian school. He also taught LCDC classes.

In 1967 he met and married the love of his life, Theresa Green. They lived in Abilene, Texas and many other places before returning to Austin, Texas to retire from the military.

Tom is preceded in death by his mother, Marion Slocum, and his father-in-law, Gene Green.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Theresa Slocum; three children, Elizabeth (Beth) Slocum, Deborah Kollar and Sean Slocum, all of Austin; three grandchildren, Austin Kollar, Sienna Kollar and Brooklyn Slocum; his mother-in-law, Louise Green. There are also many adopted children over the years that have called him Dad.

The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses at North Austin Medical Center and Austin Diagnostic Clinic for all their care and concern for Tom while he was in their facility.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six o'clock until eight o'clock in the evening, on Sunday, the 17th of March 2013, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas.

A funeral service will be conducted at two o'clock in the afternoon on Monday, the 18th of March, in the Colonial Chapel of Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas. Interment with full Air Force Honors will follow in Austin Memorial Park, Austin, Texas.

In lieu of flowers and customary remembrances, memorials may be sent to your favorite charity.

Condolences may be sent to www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.