Thomas Minor

Funeral services for Thomas Minor, 82, of Avinger, Texas, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Church on the Rock in Daingerfield, with Pastor Randy Seybert officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home in Hughes Springs. A time of visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday and continue until service time.
Thomas Jay Minor passed away on November 9, 2025, in Longview, Texas, after 82 years full of laughter and joy. He was born to Virgil and Pauline Minor in Marks, Mississippi, on February 18, 1943.
Tom grew up as an athlete in "the birthplace of blues," otherwise known as Clarksdale, Mississippi. A true Southern gentleman throughout his life, he had immense pride in his hometown. In Clarksdale, he played football and baseball. He went on to be a catcher for the Fighting Okra at Delta State University and earned his bachelor's degree in education.
In 1970, he married Judy, the most beautiful and intelligent woman he had ever met. In 2000 Tom and Judy went on a trip to Ireland and had the time of their lives touring around the rolling green hills, the sheep crowded streets, and ancient castles. They enjoyed 55 wonderful years of marriage and welcomed the prettiest curly-headed baby girl, Robin Lynne. Tom didn't know it at the time, but his little girl would go on to be his best football-watching partner for the rest of his life. On an average Saturday, you would find them both in the living room yelling "Roll Tide" at the television.
Throughout his life, Tom worked for many businesses and became known for his wealth of knowledge in politics and economics. He also retained his love for sports throughout his life, appreciating baseball, golf, tennis, and, of course, Alabama football. His love of sports was passed down to his three grandchildren, Thomas, Sarah, and Trent Alexander. Tom and Judy retired in 2006 and moved to Avinger, Texas, to be closer to them. Tom loved attending dance recitals, karate tournaments, and rugby games. Tom loved his namesake, Thomas Minor, for his quiet determination and their shared sense of dry humor; he adored his "Sarah Beara" and her dramatic flair for life; and found someone always to discuss the news for hours on end with Trent Alexander.
Whether you knew him as Thomas, Tom, Dad, or Poppin, you knew Thomas Minor as a man who loved God, his family, and his church. He was a man who never loved anything or anyone halfway. He now rests in Heaven, no doubt recounting the latest game to those who preceded him, including his parents, his sister Nancy Simpson, his brother Virgil A. Minor, and nephews Cullen and Greg Simpson. Meanwhile, his legacy lives on in the love of his life, Judy Minor; his pride and joy Robin Gale; his favorite (and only) son-in-law, Trent Gale; their children, Thomas, Sarah, and Alex Gale; and his nieces Nancy Baltz, Jennifer Barger, Leanne Faris, Monica Drye and his nephew Paul Simpson.