Thomas James Edmundson, Jr. was born in Charleston, WV, on January 1, 1929 to Adeline Camille (Bishop) Edmundson and Thomas James Edmundson, Sr. His birthdate would influence his love of parades, celebrations, family gatherings, and football games.

During the Great Depression, his parents sent Tom to live with his grandparents Ida and Charlie in Buckhannon, WV. During this time Tom learned the importance of family, being resilient and generous, and his love of the mountains.

Tom graduated from Charleston High School at 16 and enrolled in Marshall University in Huntington, WV, where he graduated with a degree in Sociology and Biology, lettered as the track manager and was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity. Tom went on to The Ohio State University, College of Dentistry graduating with a degree in Dental Technology and Prosthetics. Go Bucks!

During the Korean Conflict Tom was drafted into the US Army and served as a dental technician at Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where he married Joyce Ann (Keener) Edmundson on March 19, 1954, at the Post Chapel, Fort Sam Houston.

After his Honorable Discharge, Tom’s career took him to Burlington, IA, and then on to Detroit, MI, where he owned Doelle-Edmundson Dental Lab for 25 years. As nonagenarian, he would proudly tell you that he had all his own teeth.

Tom served as an Elder and Clerk of Session at Calvin Presbyterian Church in Detroit, MI. He backpacked Mt. Mitchell numerous times and completed the Detroit International Marathon with young people he mentored. He was the PTA President at Jefferson Elementary and was the founding Band Booster President for the L'Anse Creuse High School Band Program in Mt. Clemens, MI.

In his first retirement, Tom and Joyce moved to Denton, TX, to be closer to family. He worked part time at Jon’s Dental Lab and Denton High School and DHS Ryan Campus as the Parking Lot Attendant where he made many friends. Tom served as a surrogate parent for special education students. He was active as a Denton County Master Gardner and The Keep Denton Beautiful Board. He was a member of First Baptist Church and backpacked several times to Colorado with the Recreation Ministry. Tom trained and competed in Dog Agility with his adopted Greyhound, Zoey.

Dad passed away into the arms of Jesus and reunited with family, friends, and previous pets (he believed this) after a brief illness and a short stint with Hospice on May 27, 2026. He lived a full, happy, joy-filled life during his 97 years. He blessed a lot of people, along the way, with his vocation, time, friendship, and resources. He loved a good Circus, State and World’s Fairs, magic, theater productions, band concerts, craft shows, Disney, Branson, Bonsai plants, people, and Jesus. Dad and Mom held season tickets for many years and enjoyed cheering on the Ryan Raiders and Guyer Wildcats. He was a devoted sports fan.

Tom is survived by his daughter, Audrey and son-in-law Ray, granddaughters Erin Louise and spouse Alex, Kristin Renee and spouse Kendrick, and Emily Anne: two great grandchildren, Ryland James and Eleanor Jade, his perfect dog Wilson and many extended family and friends. Tom will be buried at the Dallas National Cemetery after a graveside service next to his beloved wife, Joyce proudly wearing his West Virginia tie on Wednesday June 10th at 2:00. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in memory of Tom to your favorite charity, spend time with your family, support public education, or plant a tree, or grow a plant.