December 7, 1940 – November 11, 2020
Thomas Gordon St. John, 79, passed peacefully into the arms of his Heavenly Father on Nov. 11, 2020 surrounded by his family and friends.
A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on Nov. 14 at the First Baptist Church of Bowie with Pastor Tommy John Mayo and Pastor Jay Webb officiating. The burial will follow at Scrougy Cemetery in Sunset. The visitation will take place from 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 13 at White Family Funeral Home.
His sons-in-law and grandsons will serve as pallbearers: Tim Hamm, Rayce Cantwell, Jarred Schriber, Nick McCoola, Josh Simmons, and Daniel Bush. Honorary pallbearers will be grandsons Jason Hamm, Logan Hamm, Reece Morgan, Colby Schriber and Zach Gilmore.
Thomas was born in Decatur on Dec. 7, 1940 to William Alvin and Ethel Cordie (Wood) St. John. After graduating from Alvord High School in 1959, he spent several years in the oil field in and around Wise and Montague Counties before starting St. John Backhoe Service in 1974. His dedication toward his business lasted for nearly 50 years until his retirement in 2019.
For over 16 years, Thomas was a member of the Bowie Volunteer Fire Department after being voted in on Aug. 4, 1980. During this time, he served as a delegate to the West Texas Fireman’s and Fire Marshall’s Association and taught at the Texas Fireman’s Training School in Wichita Falls.
In 1984, Thomas was selected by his fellow firefighters as “Fireman of the Year.” A certified Jaws of Life operator, Thomas attend the Hurst Training School in New Braunfels and also attended the Texas Fireman’s Training School at Texas A&M University.
He attended Emergency Care Attendant classes and received his certification from the Texas Department of Health as an ECA on March 29, 1985.
Thomas was initiated to the Bowie Masonic Lodge No 578 AF&AM on Dec. 19, 1978. Being raised to Master Mason on Jan. 15, 1980, Thomas continued his personal ambition to become a 33rd degree Mason. During his membership, he held the Office of Senior Deacon and Junior Steward for the Bowie Lodge.
As a member of the First Baptist Church of Newport, he served faithfully as the director of music. He was well known in the community for “making music” and loved to gather with his friends and church family to pick the guitar and sing old gospel hymns. He was devoted to his family and was happiest playing with his grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Greta Jones St. John, brothers, J.W. St. John, Wilburn St. John, Olin St. John, Donavan St. John, Bill St. John and sister, Vera St. John Crim.
His family left to cherish his memory are his wife of 21 years, Jan Broxson-St. John; daughters, Jackie Hamm and husband, Tim, Shelly Cantwell and husband, Rayce, JoBeth Schriber and husband, Jared and Amy McCoola and husband, Nick; grandchildren, Jennifer Bush and husband, Daniel, Josh Simmons and wife, KayLee, Jason Hamm and wife, Mindy, Logan Hamm and wife, Kenna, Reece Morgan and wife, Kyra, Colby Schriber, Zach Gilmore, Annalise Schriber, Bryce McCoola and Henlee McCoola; great-grand-children, Kelsey Bush, Karlee Bush, Bray Simmons, Brielle Simmons, Braden Hamm, Delaney Hamm, Brynleigh Hamm and Brock Hamm along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Newport, the kitchen – Meals on Wheels Wichita Falls, or Hospice of Wichita Falls.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
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