Tommy Joe Bardwell or “TJ” to some, age 63, of Lake Brownwood was taken home to be with his Lord on Monday, June 22, 2020 after a sudden illness. He fought a good fight. He loved his family, fishing at night, gardening, and loved his dogs.
Tommy Joe was born on October 23, 1956 in Waco, Texas to Herman Wallace Bardwell and Edna Mae Banks. He was the second of seven children. He always told everyone our sister Cheryl was the oldest of the family. He grew up in Waco, Texas a moved to Brownwood after he graduated from University High School in Waco. Tommy graduated not knowing how to read, not even a little bit. He was honored by the Waco school district with eighty hours of college credit. Even though he never learned to read, he never let that stop him in life. He worked many jobs before retiring from Brownwood Regional Medical Center after twenty years.
Tommy was always working on his cars, trucks, and lawn mowers. He could do almost anything he set his mind to. He and Walter were always working on something together.
Tommy met Shannon Marie Miller and fell in love right away. They were wed on February 14, 1986 in Brownwood. They loved, laughed, and fished right up to the day Shannon passed away.
People will remember Tommy for his gentle way of transporting them to their car when being discharged from the hospital. He never met a stranger and would always help his neighbors anytime they needed help.
He is survived by his loving parent, Charles Banks of Brownwood, brothers Walter Fred Bardwell of Brownwood, Glenn Bardwell and wife Nancy of Blytheville, Arkansas, sisters, Cheryl Franks and husband Rex of Brownwood, Diane Graham and husband Charlie of Gardendale, Texas, Jeannette Buris and husband Tim of Brownwood, Jackie Carmack of Granbury, Texas, Darla Chriswell and husband Doug of Tennessee, step siblings, Nelda Pott and husband Allen of Brownwood, Andrea Thompson and husband Mike of Burleson, Texas, Melissa Carroll and husband Richard of Azle, Texas, and Chuck Banks and wife Brandy of Cleburne, Texas. He also was survived by a close friend, Virginia Lewis and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Shannon Marie Miller Bardwell, his mother, Edna Mae Banks, father Herman Wallace Bardwell, brothers, Jody Bardwell, Robert Earl Bardwell, Randy Dale Bardwell, grandparents, Leona Harper, Hershel Fred Weatherford, William G. Bardwell Sr., Effie Carlisle and a nephew Cory Buris.
Funeral services will be held at 10 am on Friday, June 26, in the Davis-Morris Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Bill Slaymaker officiating. Burial will follow at the McDaniel Cemetery north of Bangs.
Visitation will be held from 6 – 8 Pm on Thursday evening at the funeral home.
Tommy Joe is still blessing others even after his death as he was an organ donor. Memorials can be made to DonateLife.com
Friends are encouraged to sign the guestbook at www.davismorisfuneralhome.com.