Tom Carl Hadley

Reverend Tom Carl Hadley entered his heavenly home on February 12, 2023 at the age of 71 after a lengthy illness.  He was born on June 23, 1951 in Wellington, KS to Ralph G. Hadley and Ruby O. Poovey Hadley.  He was preceded in death by his parents.  He is survived by his wife. Cynthia Hingst Hadley, son, Joshua Hadley, daughter, Jennifer Hadley Hotopp, son-in-law, Rev. Mark Hotopp, five grandchildren, Noah, Silas, Elise, Josiah, and Ian Hotopp, sister Connie Hadley Becker, sister and brother-in-law, Susan Hingst Biel and Larry Biel, and many loved nieces and nephews and their families.

He attended St. John’s Academy (’69) and College (’71), Fort Wayne Senior College (’73) and Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO (’77).  He served 30 years in pastoral ministry in Arkansas, Tennessee and Texas.  He also worked 9 years in sales, some time in security and enjoyed groundskeeping at various state parks and his tiny home community while in retirement.

Pastor Hadley was well loved as husband, Daddy, Poppy, mentor, pastor and friend.  He enjoyed woodworking in his spare time, playing guitar and singing, and nature photography while traveling with Cindy in his retirement.  He was well known in his younger years for being a little ornery and grew to be someone who loved and followed Jesus.  Through his ministry and daily life, he valued children, marriage and friendship and wanted everyone to know the love of Jesus.

A memorial service will be held at Tree of Life Lutheran Church at 6318 Lyons Rd., Garland, TX 75043 on Monday, February 20^th at 3:30 pm followed by a time of fellowship with friends and family.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Veritas Community Lutheran Church and Academy toward the scholarship Fund, 1345 E. FM 544, Wylie, TX  75098.