Thomas Riley Hamby

Thomas Riley Hamby passed away at the age of 84 on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. He was a loving and providing husband and father as well as a proud papa and great-grandpa.

Tom was born in Denton County, TX on September 22, 1936, to Austin and Gladys Hamby. He would soon be joined by two younger sisters, Gail and Carol, with whom he maintained life-long loving ties. After graduating from Polytechnic High in Ft. Worth, Tom went into the Army and served several years overseas during the Korean War. Upon returning he went to the University of North Texas and received a BA in Marketing. Tom married his sweet "Annie" on March 25, 1960 – "Smiling Tom" and "Annie" would go on to enjoy a marriage of over 60 years! Together they raised four children, daughter, Julie, and three sons, Kip, Jason and Sy.

Tom's life was marked by his love of family, impact on others and service to his community. He found great joy in sharing his many talents. As a youth, Tom was among the few chosen to be part of the inaugural nationwide tour of the much-celebrated Texas Boys Choir. His love for singing followed him throughout his life – especially the singing of hymns or accompanying his wife as she played the piano. As his career in sales often took Tom and his family to new communities, finding a new church home and maintaining Christian fellowship was always important. Alongside his wife, Tom served their churches in various capacities for many years. As a proud father, Tom would be seen many a season coaching his children's baseball or football teams. If he wasn't coaching from the dugout, he'd likely be coaching from the stands! He truly enjoyed watching his children compete. He was also instrumental in several communities providing the vision and leadership to develop youth sports programs. Tom always welcomed fall as it meant cooler temperatures - and the start of a new football season - full of renewed hope that his Dallas Cowboys would be fielding a championship team! While his love of the Cowboys was often tested, his love for family was true. Tom enjoyed a large extended family and loved catching up at reunions, spending Holidays and vacations with loved ones and making the most of a Sunday afternoon visit.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Hamby, parents, Austin and Gladys Hamby, sister Gail Lapp, grandson Jack Hamby, great-grandson Asher Greene, and his nephew Chip Allen. He is survived by his four children, Kip and wife Shari, Julie and husband Ken, Jason, and wife Stephanie, and Sy and wife Kelley, his sister Carol and husband Joe Fowler, brother-in-law Sam Lapp, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. Tom felt blessed to enjoy eighteen grandkids – and eleven great-grandkids!

In lieu of flowers please consider donating in Tom's name to the First United Methodist Church McKinney.

A graveside service will be held at Pecan Grove Cemetery, at Hwy 5 and Industrial Blvd. in McKinney, TX, Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at 10:00 am. A reception will follow in Dyer Hall at the McKinney First United Methodist Church.