Tommy Lee Self

Tommy Lee Self, 83, of Santo, Tx traded his earthly life for the glory of Heaven on Thursday, Nov 9, 2023. Our hearts are broken but his body is restored.  Tommy was born in Colgate, Okla, Nov 8, 1940, to Roy Self and Mildred Ford Self.  After graduating HS in Clinton, Okla, he attended college at Southwestern Oklahoma College, before serving his country in the Army.  Upon returning from the Army, he met and soon thereafter married Joyce Carmichael on Oct 24, 1966.  They promptly moved to Texas and raised 4 children in Parker and Palo Pinto Counties, where Tommy worked for General Dynamics and then Brazos Electric, retiring after 30 years with Brazos in 2004.  He and Joyce also operated a home business for many years, Josh Nylon Tack, selling nylon braided belts and horse tack across the country.   He was a hard-working man that supported his family in every way possible.  He was an accomplished team roper and one of the founding members of the Palo Pinto County Cowboy Church. 

Tommy was a man of his word, a wonderful husband, a great father to all his kids, a pretty awesome Papa, and a mentor/role model to any young person that would listen. He was a veteran, a fisherman, a cowboy, an entrepreneur, an engineer (although Southern at times), and a man of God. He could also play a really good game of pool. From fishing poles, to tools, to a lariat rope, and even a sewing machine, the man seemed to know and could do it all (except back a trailer) , and if you didn’t believe it, just ask him. When he wasn't working, he was roping, fishing, or story-telling. He could talk for hours about anything and educate you at the same time, although sometimes you had to be careful that he wasn’t just pulling your leg, because he loved a good prank! He thoroughly enjoyed teaching and sharing his knowledge with kids, which showed not just through his time with his own children and grandchildren, but also through his support of all of their friends, and his volunteer work with the 4-H and FFA Clubs and Palo Pinto County Cowboy Church.   He loved following “his” kids, grandkids, and great- grandkids, (many not related to him but loved by him just the same) as they rodeod and played sports.  If he could be there he was and they could hear him cheer. He spoke words of encouragement and support but also let them know how to improve and when they hadn’t done their best.  He loved big and never let a loved one leave without saying “I Love You, Drive Safe”. 

Tommy is survived by sister Phyllis and Dwaine Rhodes, daughters Brenda and John Trammell and Conni and Rod Foreman, sons Mike and Teresa Foster, and Tim and Cheryl Foster, grandchildren Ryan, Cory, and Ensley Trammell, Ayla Rice, Cassie Foreman, Brooke Roberson, Ranch Foreman, and Bronc Foreman, Scotty Bullock and Kimberly Yandell, and Josh and Caleb Foster, numerous great-grandchildren, and niece Julie Allen.  He was preceded by parents Roy and Mildred, wife Joyce, infant grandson William Carroll Foster and infant twin great grandsons Andrew and Buster Foreman.