Thomas James “Tommy” Despain

Corpus Christi, TX

Thomas James “Tommy” Despain, 90, of Corpus Christi, Texas passed away un-expectantly at his residence Wednesday, April 26th. He was born May 23rd. 1926 in Roxton, Texas.

Tommy graduated Salutatorian from Roxton High School, whereupon he immediately joined the U.S. Navy. He served in World War II aboard the Carrier USS Franklin, and was honorably discharged in November of 1945.

Thomas worked as a lineman and electrician prior to joining the Corpus Christi Police Department in 1950. Over his 35-year career at CCPD, Tommy progressed through the ranks from Patrolman to Commander, the rank at which he retired in 1985. He served in numerous positions including Chief of Detectives, and Commander of Special Services. He attended several law enforcement training programs hosted by the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas A&M University, and the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

When the Corpus Christi Police Department established the rank of Commander in 1968, Tommy was in the first class of officers who reached that level, and he was the last surviving member.

Thomas was a member of the Corpus Christi Police Officer’s Association. Upon his retirement from CCPD, Tommy joined the Nueces County Sheriff’s Department where he served as Deputy.

Tommy was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Joann Eaton Despain.

He leaves behind two sons, Roger (Mary Kay) of Tike Island, Texas and Reagan (Lisa) of Olive Branch, Mississippi; five grandchildren, Sean (Leah) De Spain, John De Spain, James De Spain, Alex DeSpain and Alina DeSpain; and a great granddaughter, Charlie DeSpain.

Visitation will be from 5 P.M. until 7 P.M. Monday May 1st, and services will be conducted at 9:30 A.M. Tuesday, May 2nd, both at Sawyer-George Funeral Home Chapel.

Graveside services and burial will follow at 11A.M. at the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers please make contributions to St. Michaels Police Officers Memorial Fund.

Funeral services entrusted to Sawyer-George Funeral Home, Inc., 12497 Leopard Street, Corpus Christi, Texas 78410. (361) 242-3205. Please visit our web site at http://www.sawyergeorgefuneralhome.com.
Published in Corpus-Christi Caller-Times on Apr. 30, 2017

WEST LIBERTY – Philip Richard Black, 89, of West Liberty passed away at 7:55 a.m. on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Green Hills Care Center in West Liberty, Ohio. He was born in West Mansfield, Ohio on June 18, 1927 to the late Hobson and Esther (Fry) Black. He was also preceded in death by an infant son; a sister, Marge Pickett; and two brothers, Robert and Herbert.
On March 12, 1949 Phil married his wife of 68 years, Betty Jo Rotroff, and she survives, along with their two daughters, Rebecca Jo (Ken) Curtis and Melinda Jo (Lon) Peters, three grandsons, Matthew (Julie) Curtis, Ryan (Natalie) Peters, and Adam (Rebecca) Peters, five great-grandchildren, Andrew Curtis, Audrey Peters, Vienna Peters, Aiden Peters, and Lilly Peters, and two sisters, Mary Eirich and Rachel Cool.
A U.S. Navy WWII veteran, Phil served on the U.S.S. Franklin. He was the owner of Black’s Garage and Philip R. Black Real Estate and Insurance Agency in West Liberty. He was a former West Liberty mayor, a member of the American Legion, Mad River Lodge #161 F&AM, West Liberty Business Men’s Association, Logan County Board of Realtors, and the United Church of Christ where he served as a deacon emeritus. Phil also served on the committee that developed and built Green Hills. He enjoyed woodworking, furniture making, and antiques.
The family will receive friends 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, May 25, 2017 at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, 101 Zanesfield Road, West Liberty. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 26, at the United Church of Christ, 212 Newell Street, West Liberty with Pastor Rose Michael officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in West Liberty, Ohio with military rites performed by the Logan County Veterans Honor Guard.
Memorial contribution may be made, in Phil’s memory, to Macochee Joint Ambulance District, 113 E. Newell Street, West Liberty, Ohio 43357, United Church of Christ, 212 Newell Street, P.O. Box 427, West Liberty, Ohio 43357, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are in the care of the EICHHOLTZ DARING & SANFORD FUNERAL HOME in West Liberty and online condolences may be expressed to the family at http://www.edsfh.com