Samuel Thomas "Tom" Aderhold

1925 - 2026

Fort Worth, TX - Samuel Thomas (Tom) Aderhold passed away on January 25, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas, at the age of 100. He is survived by his children Cullen Aderhold (Carolee), Robin Roberts (Clay), and Tom Aderhold (Lea Ann); seven grandchildren; and fourteen great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Jody, to whom he was married for 65 years, and with whom he traveled the world, visiting every continent except Antarctica.

Born and raised in Edinburg, Texas, he graduated from Edinburg High School, served three years in the Army, and then attended the University of Texas, where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and graduated with a degree in Business. He then joined his father and his brother Herndon in the farming business, growing primarily citrus.

He served as Director of Texas Citrus Growers League; Director of Texas Valley Citrus Committee; Director and President of Texas Citrus Mutual; Director and President of Texas Citrus Producers Board; Director of Texas Valley Citrus Committee; and President and Board member of the Edinburg Unit of Texas Farm Bureau. In recognition of his contributions to the Texas citrus industry, he was named "King Citrus" at the Texas Citrus Fiesta.

For most of his adult life he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Edinburg, where he was also an Elder, Deacon, Trustee, and youth leader. He was a Director and President of Edinburg Rotary Club, where he had 50 years of perfect attendance. He was honored as Rotarian of the Year, as a Paul Harris Fellow, and with the Rotary Commitment to Service Award. He served twelve years on the Edinburg School Board (including two years as President), many years as Chairman of the Edinburg Water Drainage Committee, as a volunteer at Edinburg Medical Center, and as a director of Rio Grande Valley Woodcarvers, and was inducted into the Sigma Phi Epsilon Hall of Fame.

An avid hunter and fisherman, he was still able to shoot his limit on a dove hunt with his grandsons at the age of 88.

A Memorial Service will be held at Trinity Terrace, 1600 Texas Street, Fort Worth, at 3:00 pm on Saturday, February 7, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Edinburg Public Library Children's Wing, the Rotary Foundation, the Salvation Army, or the Trinity Terrace Foundation.