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Tommy Dean Washington
Tommy Dean Washington was born April 14, 1951, in Alamosa, Colorado, and passed into the loving arms of his Heavenly Father on September 1, 2026, at the age of 75.
Tom was raised in Mosca, Colorado, in a family of farmers and ranchers. The land, mountains, hunting, fishing, and hard work shaped the man he became. He carried with him the values of grit, resilience, determination, faith, service, and respect for the land throughout his life.
Tom married the love of his life, Dory, on April 15, 1972, in La Jara, Colorado. Together they farmed in the San Luis Valley before moving their family to Dalhart, Texas, in 1981.
Tom continued his career in agriculture, farming for the Lockhart and Newsom families and spending 22 years at Nortex Feedlot as yard foreman and manager of outside farming operations.
Tom was a man of strength and character who simply refused to quit. He was not always the biggest or strongest, but he was determined, hardworking, and rarely out-hustled. When faced with a challenge, his attitude was simple: “We’ll figure it out.”
He believed in being all in, especially when it came to his family. Tom and Dory worked hard to provide their three children with opportunities, including college and experiences that shaped their lives.
He believed family was more than blood; family was anyone you loved, served, stood beside, and welcomed into your heart. Many friends, nieces, nephews, cousins, and others were fortunate to become part of Tom’s extended family.
His greatest joy was his grandchildren. He proudly attended their stock shows, sporting events, golf tournaments, equestrian events, theater performances, and countless other activities.
As Tom liked to say, “If I would have known how much fun grandkids were, I would have had them first!”
Tom loved experiencing life with Dory and his family. They traveled throughout Texas and surrounding states, enjoying good food, museums, history, and new experiences.
He had a particular fondness for historical markers and could rarely pass one without stopping to read it. His quick wit, humor, common-sense advice, and storytelling kept his family grounded and often laughing.
He was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a brother, an uncle, a friend, a mentor, a farmer, a rancher, a servant, and a man of faith. And to so many, he was simply Tom.
He will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Tom on 9/12 at 2 p.m. at Hillside Christian Church, Dalhart, TX.
Tom loved education, youth, and agriculture. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom’s name may be made to Dallam/Hartley 4-H or Dalhart FFA Booster Club, 2100 Spirit Trail, Dalhart, TX 79022, or Venmo @DalhartFFABoosterClub. |
