Thomas Milton Suddath

Marietta Monitor

March 8, 2002, pg 4

Submitted by: Martha N. Reddout

Services for Thomas Milton Suddath, 60, of Courtney, were held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 4, in the Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Tom Riley officiating.

Mr. Suddath was born February 7, 1942, in Gainesville, Texas, the only son of Ralph M. and Gladis Camp Suddath. He died Thursday, February 28, 2002, at his home.

Mr. Suddath had been a resident of Love County most of his life. He was the grandson of Oklahoma pioneers, Tom M. and Betty Suddath of Roff, Oklahoma. Joe T. Roff, founder of Roff, I.T. was Tom's great-grandfather. The Roff brothers built the first ranch house where Ardmore, now stands. Mr. Suddath is also a descendant of Peter Pitchlin, the first chief of the Choctaw Inidans. His maternal grandparents were Joe and Alla Wallace Camp, pioneer ranchers in the Pauls Valley area.

Mr. Suddath attended Schreiner Military Academy. When his father became ill, he left military school and returned to the family home in Marietta to help care for him. He graduated from Gainesville High School. He attended Texas A & M University at Commerce, Texas, and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. While in college, he worked at Tommy Lou's Shoes, the family shoe store in Gainesville. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps where his passion was forever with the Marine comrades with whom he served. He was proud to have served in the military, and was an active lifetime member of the Fourth Marine Division Organization.

Mr. Suddath attended St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ardmore. He loved his children, his family, his guitar and had a great love for the Indian Nation and Love County.

Mr. Suddath married Linda Lott in Denton, Texas, in 1961, and they were the parents of three children; two sons, Ralph M. Suddath of Denton, Texas and Scott Suddath of Dallas, Texas; one daughter and son-in-law Kim and Jerry Coslett of Denton. He also has another daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Darius Coakley of San Diego, California, from his marriage to Barbara Thomas.

Other survivors include his four sisters and brothers-in-law, Dr. Betty Lockett of Silver Springs, Maryland, Jane and Nick Theodore of Keller, Texas, Sue and Al Hovey of Ormond Beach, Florida, and Lou and Delmas Northcutt of Denison, Texas; four grandchildren, Heather, Ashley, Christian and Celeste Coslett; nine nieces and nephews and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

Mr. Suddath was preceded in death by his father in 1958 and his mother in 1999.

Pallbearers were nephews, Hal Theodore, Tim Theodore, and Tom Theodore; great-nephew, Richard Wiley Vega; and Jim Folsom and Jim Wilson.

Honorary pallbearers were Bud Dixon and Tim Hicks.

Interment was in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Pauls Valley under the direction of Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home, Marietta.