Tom Jack Birdwell

Funeral Service for Tom Jack Birdwell, 87, of Nacogdoches will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Laird Funeral Home with Bro. Ronnie Ham, Bro. Wayne Butler, and Bro. Raymond Vermillion officiating. Interment will follow at McKnight Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Tommy McKnight, Adam McKnight, Trenton Birdwell, Ty Birdwell, Trey Birdwell, and Nathan McKnight. Honorary pallbearers will be Aubrey McKnight, Jaxon McKnight, and Wyatt McKnight. Visitation will be held from 1:00pm to 2:00 pm prior to the service. 

Tom Jack Birdwell’s story began on August 24, 1937, as the third child of Lawrence and Wanda Fountain Birdwell. He grew up on the edge of Flower Mountain in northwest Nacogdoches County, where life was built on hard work, family, and the red dirt beneath their feet. Over the years, seven more siblings joined the Birdwell clan, and together they forged a life rooted in love and resilience. He was born in a simple house in the sand field near his Grandpa Fountain’s home, and by his fourth birthday, his family had moved into that very home. They worked the land tirelessly, growing tomatoes and learning the value of perseverance.

Tom Jack graduated from Cushing High School in 1956, leaving home with nothing but a suitcase and $27 in his pocket. He made his way to Nacogdoches, where he found work at Piggly Wiggly, which later became Kroger. From 1958 to 1968, he worked at C.B. Prudome Grocery Store before finishing his career with the state of Texas, where he served faithfully from 1968 until his retirement in 1999.

But his greatest adventure began in 1956 when he met the love of his life, Joyce Genice Kolb, through mutual friends. The two quickly became inseparable, and on January 12, 1957, they vowed to walk through life together. For 68 years, they built a life filled with love, laughter, and unwavering devotion. Their daughter, Gayla Jean, arrived in November 1957, followed by their son, Billy Wayne, in May 1960. Though they once considered a third child, they decided two was just the right number—and their family was complete.

Tom Jack was a true outdoorsman at heart. As a boy, he and his brother, Joe, would venture into the woods to hunt squirrels for supper at their mother’s request. Over the years, his love for hunting remained, and he continued to hunt squirrels and raccoons with his dogs. Later, he found joy in raising and selling beagles, using them to chase rabbits—not to kill. He would simply listen to the dogs do their work, a sound that brought him peace and happiness. Through his dogs, he forged lifelong friendships, sharing stories and camaraderie with fellow hunters.

When he was just 16, his sister, Betty, gifted him a blowing horn, sparking a passion for crafting his own horns to call his dogs. In his spare time, he also tended to a garden, growing fresh vegetables that he generously shared with family and friends, always finding joy in giving to others.

Tom Jack came to know the Lord as his personal Savior in 1963. He was ordained as a deacon at Lone Pine Baptist Church in 1965. For the last 28 years he has served God faithfully at Union Cross Missionary Baptist Church.

Tom Jack’s legacy lives on in the hearts of those who loved him. He is survived by his devoted wife, Joyce; his daughter and son-in-love, Gayla and Kenneth McKnight; and his son and daughter-in-love, Billy and Janice Birdwell. His grandchildren, Tommy and Stephanie McKnight, Adam and Andrea McKnight, Trenton Birdwell, Ty Birdwell, and Trey and Bethany Birdwell, will carry forward his love and wisdom. His great-grandchildren, Aubrey, Nathan, Jaxon, and Wyatt McKnight, will grow up hearing the stories of the man who loved them dearly.

He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Lamar and Judy Birdwell; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Barbara and David Hicks, Beth and Jerry Rogers, and Linda and Stanley Wade; along with many cherished nieces and nephews. Tom Jack also leaves behind his neighbor and dear friend, David Rideout, as well as special family friends Joe Holland and Myles, Elizabeth, and Hunter Holland.

He is preceded in death by his parents and siblings Betty Cole, Joe Birdwell, Bobby Birdwell, Bryant Birdwell, and Jimmy Birdwell.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Medical Center Hospital and Heart to Heart Hospice for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Gideons International.

Though he has left this earth, his legacy of love, kindness, and the simple joys of life will live on in those who were blessed to know him.

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