Tommy Dwayne Hemphill, Sr. was born on August 16, 1933 to parents James Hartford Hemphill and Edna Davis Hemphill in Croton Texas. Tommy was the youngest of 10 brothers and sisters, all of whom preceded him in death. Tommy grew up in the Dickens / Spur area where he attended high school. Tommy was a straw boss on the famous Matador Ranch by the time he was 17. At Dickens, he met the love of his life in Freddie Belle Hawley. They wed on February 6, 1956 and remained married and in love for the rest of his life. At 18, he decided to join the Army which became a 20 year career. Tommy served one tour of Korea at the tail end of the conflict, and two tours of Vietnam where he earned a silver star for heroism and leadership. Two bronze stars for above and beyond, and two purple hearts for injuries sustained. He retired from the military at 38 years old and attended the Preston Road School of Preaching from which he graduated as a Church of Christ minister. Tommy went on to preach for 30 plus years eventually retiring from that and settling down in Blossom TX. He saved many lives in Vietnam, but thought his greater achievement was the number of souls he baptized over the years.
Tommy passed away on August 10th from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Tommy will be missed greatly by his entire family and by the many, many friends he made over his lifetime. He is survived by his wife of 64 plus years, Freddie; children Tommy Jr., and wife Tammy, Terrie Gray, Dude Hemphill, and Deuce Hemphill and wife Stephanie; granddaughter who he adopted early on, Tamara Sowell and husband B.J.; grandchildren Todd Hemphill and Tori Hemphill, Trent and Trevor Hemphill, Tripp and Haylee Hemphill, Curtis and Candis Gray. He was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Teeka Hemphill. He also has many great grandchildren, and one great- great grandchild.
Services for Mr. Hemphill will be August 13th at 10:00 a.m. at the Blossom Church of Christ on Hwy 82. Visitation will be the hour before the service begins.
