Thomas “Eddie” Almond, 81, of Paris passed away on Friday November 10, 2023, at home with his loving wife by his side. “Big Eddie” was born July 8, 1942, to Julius “Duke” and Elwanda Almond in Oklahoma and was a 1960 graduate of Antlers High School, where he excelled in FFA, baseball, basketball and earned Honorable Mention “All-State” honors in football.
After graduating from Antlers High School, he went on to serve 6 years on active duty in the U.S. Army and Air Force and married the love of his life Linda Arnold in 1966. Big Eddie always referred to Linda as, “The meanest, sweetest, women I know”.
After completing his military service, Big Eddie embarked on a distinguished forty-two year career as a Texas Law Enforcement Officer with Lubbock Police Department, Texas Highway Patrol, Lamar County Sheriff’s Office, and as the Commander of the Northeast Texas Regional Drug Task Force. His list of law enforcement awards and accolades were extensive, but most notably was his promotion in 1976 into the elite seventy-two member Texas Rangers service.
As a member of the Texas Rangers, “Texas Eddie” set himself apart and utilized his Christian Faith to serve the State of Texas and its citizens with dedication, professionalism, compassion, integrity and simple human decency. He was often referred to as, “A Man of God and a Rangers, Ranger”, who positively affected everyone he encountered. His personal and professional life was an illustration of how we all should treat each other, plain and simple.
Texas Eddie’s four decades of public service led to an extensive list of professional accolades, but his greatest successes were as a loving son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. The “Pedestal” that he placed his loving wife Linda on for 57 years, and his other family members were an example to others and will never be forgotten.
Texas Eddie was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Philip and Bobby. He is survived by wife Linda of Paris, Texas, daughter Lisa and husband Ricky of Abilene, son Marc of Waco, and son Edwin and wife Valeria of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He is also survived by his sister Pattie and grandchildren Ashlee, Zach, Bethany, Chelsea, Aaron, Andrew, Camila, Alexa and Elena, along with numerous great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces.
Texas lost a, “True Hero and Law Enforcement Legend” this last Veterans Day and Heaven gained a, “Loyal and Faithful Servant”.
Celebration of life services will be held on Tuesday, November 28 at 1:00 PM at Christian Fellowship Church – Paris, Texas with the Reverend Cory Jones officiating. Cremation was under the care and direction of Bright-Holland Funeral Home.
The Lord is my Shepherd;
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down
in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul;
He leadeth me in the paths of
righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me;
Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me;
Thou preparest a table before me in
the presence of mine enemies;
Thou anointest my head with oil,
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall
follow me all the days of my life;
and I will dwell in the house of the
Lord forever.
Psalms 23
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