Thomas E. Spore

A memorial service for Thomas E. Spore, 66, of Lufkin will be held Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church of Lufkin with Reverend Nick Sholars officiating. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall following the service. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Carroway Funeral Home.

Mr. Spore was born September 25, 1944 in Fort Sill, Oklahoma to the late Louisa (Essley) and Marion Frances Spore, and died Thursday, May 12, 2011 in a local hospice, after an 8 year battle with cancer.

Mr. Spore had resided in Lufkin since 1971. He graduated from Brownwood High School in 1962, and received a Bachelor?s degree from Texas Tech University in 1967. Mr. Spore was a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army from 1967-1969, during the Vietnam era. After being discharged from the Army, he returned to Texas Tech University and received a Masters degree in Business Administration in 1971. Mr. Spore retired from Abitibi Paper Mill.

Mr. Spore was a member of First United Methodist Church of Lufkin and the Musslewhite Sunday school class. He was also on the church staff, in Business Administration. Mr. Spore was active with the Finance Committee, other various committees in the church, and was very involved in the Evening in Old Bethlehem program. He volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and CISC, and also volunteered after Hurricanes Rita and Ike.

Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Donna King Spore of Lufkin; son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Brian and Ginny Spore of Lufkin; daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Thomas Rester of Willow Park; grandsons, Paul Thomas Spore, Travis Banner Spore, both of Lufkin, and Garrett Alan Rester of Willow Park; granddaughters, Maury Kathryn Spore of Lufkin and Kathryn Essley Rester of Willow Park; brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Ellen Spore of Albany; nephew and wife, Chris and Sheryl Spore of Midland; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, their children and granddaughter, Sandra and Bobby Hill of Georgetown, David and Dianne Tucker of New Braunfels, Britt Sadler and Julie and Jamie Merriam, all of Austin; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, their children and grandchildren, Larry and Nancy King of Dallas, Paul and Stephanie King, Carson, Chandler and Audrey King, all of Flower Mound, and Kristi King and fiance Daniel Walsh of Dallas; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, their children and grandchildren, Mary Beth and Tim Karr, Bryan and Allison Phillips, Evan and Bryson Phillips, all of Lubbock, Greg and Abby Edmiston and Maryn Edmiston, all of Colorado Springs, Colorado; aunt, Mary Baswell of Batavia, Illinois; uncle and aunt, Phil and Jean Essley of Tulsa, Oklahoma; aunt, Betty Rudin of Quinlan; and numerous other relatives and good friends.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Spore was preceded in death by his son, Alan King Spore; nephew, Stephen Scott Spore; brother-in-law, Jim Sadler; sister-in-law, Martha Nell Sharp Spore; and several aunts and uncles.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Lufkin, 805 East Denman Avenue, Lufkin, Texas 75901 or to a charity of your choice.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.