Tommy Ray Gartman

Tommy Ray Gartman, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Father-in-Law, Uncle, Friend, 86 years old, of Houston, Texas passed away peacefully January 8, 2022, at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital.  He was born in Austin, Texas, son of Melburn and Lois Davis Gartman.

Tommy attended Austin High School where he joined the Naval Reserves program during his sophomore year. After graduation he continued his education at Sam Houston University where he met the love of his life Jo Nell Thompson.  Shortly after their engagement he enlisted for active duty in the Navy where he was aboard the aircraft carrier USS Randolph as the ship’s photographer.  When he returned home, he went back to Sam Houston University where he studied Photo Engraving and taught classes about photography.  On June 15, 1957, he married his sweetheart and in August 1958 they had a baby girl.  He began working at Steck Publishing and Printing on the night shift and during the afternoons he worked as the Zamboni driver at the Austin Ice Rink.  He enjoyed ice skating and hockey games while the rink was open.  Several years later he was moved to days and worked at Steck Vaughn in Austin and then relocated to the Houston office.  He changed jobs to work for Dresser for a few years and decided he wanted back in the printing business, so he joined SGI and stayed there as a salesman and VP until he retired.

Tommy had several hobbies, he continued his photography fun by photographing weddings, family reunions, family portraits, church directories and much more.  He enjoyed music in all forms, as a lifetime member of the Barbershop Harmony Society (SPEBSQSA) for 60 years, he sang with the Austin Chord Rangers and Houston Tidelanders, singing with the chorus and many quartets over the years.  He enjoyed playing guitar and mandolin at family sing-alongs, you could place any instrument in front of him and in a few minutes, he would play you a song. He could always be found singing in his church choir, worshipping the Lord with his beautiful bass voice. He also enjoyed boating with his wife and friends, at first modifying a boat for shrimping and fishing, then after retirement cruising to different ports in the Gulf.

Tommy is preceded in death by his father and mother.  He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Jo Nell, daughter Rhonda Sanders, son-in-law, Ralph Sanders and grandson, Danny Sanders, plus many loving nieces and nephews.

Services for Tommy arranged by Bradshaw Carter Memorial & Funeral Services coordinated with Tallowood Baptist Church.

Visitation:  Thursday, January 13, 2022, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Tallowood Baptist Church    555 Tallowood        Houston, TX   77024

Funeral Service:  Thursday, January 13, 2022, 1:00 PM

Tallowood Baptist Church    555 Tallowood        Houston, TX   77024

Burial:  Thursday, January 13, 2022,   4:00 PM

            Magnolia Cemetery     2291 Pine Street     Beaumont, TX   77703