Tommy Washington

Celebration of Life Service

Tommy Washington, age 75 of Dalhart, passed away, Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Arrangements for Mr. Washington are under the personal care of Dalhart Funeral Home.

Tommy Dean Washington was born on April 14, 1951, to John and Cecil (Simonds) Washington, in Alamosa, Colorado. A son of the San Luis Valley, Tom grew up surrounded by farmers, ranchers, wide-open spaces, and the majesty of the Sangre de Cristo and San Juan mountain ranges. He carried the values of that place with him throughout his entire life-hard work, grit, determination, faith, service, love of family, and a deep respect for the land.

Tom and his family made their home in Dalhart, Texas, in 1981, where they built a life filled with service, family, friendship, faith, and numerous adventures. On September 1, 2026, at the age of 75, Tom returned home into the loving arms of his Heavenly Father.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, John and Cecil Washington, and his brother, Leslie Washington.

He leaves behind his wife of 54 years, Dory Washington, the love of his life and his partner through every season of life. He is also survived by his children: J.W. Washington, his wife Melissa, and their children, TJ Aidan, and Emalie; Tyler Washington, his wife Jessica, and their children, Braydon and Rebecca; and his daughter, Tashia Terry, her husband Kevin, and their children, Mackenzie and Ahren. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends who became family.

Tom grew up in Mosca, Colorado, in a family of farmers and ranchers. From an early age, he learned that life did not always give you the easiest path, but you kept moving forward anyway. He competed in sports and was often the smallest person on the gridiron or court, but he was rarely out-hustled. Tom possessed a determination that could not be easily matched. He might not have been the biggest, fastest, or strongest, but he had grit - and he simply refused to quit.

That same grit and resilience followed him into adulthood. Tom stayed true to his roots and became a farmer and rancher in the small communities of Colorado's San Luis Valley. He loved the land and understood that being its steward was both a privilege and a responsibility. He grew up hunting and fishing, and some of his favorite memories were found outdoors - hearing the bugle of a bull elk echo through the mountains or standing in a cold mountain stream with a fly rod in his hands.

Tom married Dorene (Dory) Coombs on April 15, 1972, in La Jara, Colorado. Together, they began farming land between Mosca and Hooper. They raised alfalfa hay that was sold throughout the San Luis Valley and shipped to places as far away as Kentucky and the Carolinas. During one of those hay deliveries, Tom and J.W. made a trip to Dalhart. J.W., who had allergies, looked at his dad and said, “Dad, I can breathe here. Can we move?” Eighteen months later, the farm was sold, and the family of five moved to Texas.

Tom brought his work ethic, determination, and love of the land with him. He continued his life of service and stewardship by farming for the Lockhart and Newsom families and eventually spent 22 years at Nortex Feedlot, where he served as yard foreman and managed the outside farming operations.

Tom believed in leading by example. He did not simply tell his children how to work hard-he took them to work. His children learned firsthand what it meant to show up, stay committed, solve problems, and finish what you started. They worked cattle and farmed alongside their dad, learning lessons that extended far beyond agriculture. Tom instilled in each of his children a strong work ethic, resilience, personal responsibility, and strength of character.

He was a man who was all in. When Tom loved you, he loved you completely. When he believed in something, he stood firmly behind it. And when life put an obstacle in his way, he was not one to back down. He had a quiet strength about him-a determination that said, “We'll figure it out,” and then he would.

Tom and Dory worked hard together to put all three of their children through college and to see them grow into adults, marry, and have children of their own. Providing for his family was never simply a responsibility to Tom; it was an expression of his love.

Family was at the center of Tom's life, and to him, family was much bigger than blood. He understood that family is made through love, loyalty, shared experiences, and showing up for one another. Tom believed family was more than blood. Family was love, loyalty, and showing up for one another. He welcomed people into his heart without hesitation, and once you were family, he was all in—he loved you, stood beside you, and never backed down from you.

After retirement, Tom's connection to the land continued as he raised and sold goats. But his greatest joy in those later years was undoubtedly his grandchildren.

Tom once said, “If I would have known how much fun grandkids were, I would have had them first!”

He adored his grandchildren and doted on them every chance he got. He showed up. He attended stock shows, soccer games, volleyball games, golf tournaments, equestrian events, theater, and countless other events. He was there not because he had to be, but because being there mattered to him. His grandchildren knew they were loved, supported, and important to their grandfather.

Tom also believed that education extended far beyond a classroom. He and Dory drove countless miles together, exploring Texas and many of the surrounding states with their family. Tom wanted his children and grandchildren to experience life, to see new places, meet new people, taste new foods, learn history, and understand the world beyond their own backyard.

Their family adventures included fine dining, museums, historical sites, and long stretches of highway. And if there was a historical marker along the road, you could count on Tom stopping to read every word of it.

He believed in formal education, and he worked hard to make sure his children had access to it. But he believed just as strongly in the education that comes from experience: traveling, listening, observing, asking questions, meeting people, working with your hands, and seeing the world for yourself.

Tom had a way of keeping his family grounded. He offered advice rooted in common sense, often accompanied by his quick wit and unmistakable sense of humor. He could make people laugh, tell a story, offer a practical solution, and remind you of what really mattered-all in the same conversation.

His faith was another foundation of his life. It shaped the way he loved, served, worked, and cared for those around him. Tom's faith was reflected not only in what he believed, but in how he lived: with perseverance, humility, generosity, and a willingness to serve others.

Tom Washington was a man of grit and resilience. He was determined without needing recognition for it. He was strong without needing to prove his strength. He was loyal, hardworking, funny, practical, and deeply devoted to his family. He believed in showing up, giving your best, taking care of your people, and never backing down when something mattered.

He gave his family more than a home and a livelihood. He gave them a foundation.

He gave them an example of what it means to work hard. He taught them to persevere when things were difficult. He showed them that strength of character matters. He taught them to use common sense, to laugh often, to keep going, and to be all in when it comes to the people and things they love. Most importantly, he gave them love-steady, steadfast, and unconditional.

Tom leaves behind a family who carries his lessons, his humor, his stories, his work ethic, and his love forward. His hands may no longer be working the land, his boots may no longer be walking the feedlot, and his voice may no longer be offering that familiar advice, but the life he built and the people he loved are his lasting legacy.

Tom's greatest accomplishment was never a crop, a herd, a job, or a career.

It was his family. And he loved them with everything he had.

He was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a brother, an uncle, a friend, a mentor, a farmer, a rancher, a servant, and a man of faith.

And to so many, he was simply Tom.

He will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Tom on 9/12 at 2pm at Hillside Christian Church, Dalhart, TX. Tom loved education, youth, and agriculture. In lieu of flower donations can be made in Tom’s name may be made to Dallam /Hartley4-H or Dalhart FFA Booster Club (2100 Spirit Trail, Dalhart, TX 79022 or Venmo @DalhartFFABooster-Club)