Nathan Thomas “Tommy” Schofield, Jr. was born on December 23, 1951 and passed away peacefully surrounded by his immediate family on April 3, 2024 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont.
Tommy lived in Jasper all his life, except for the four years that he attended Stephen F. Austin State University, where he was on the golf team and a proud PIKE. He accepted Christ and was baptized at First Baptist Church as a young man and he was a proud 1970 Jasper High School graduate. His Jasper roots run deep. His great-great grandfather, Captain Andrew Smyth, a merchant and river man, moved to the Jasper area in the 1830s, and was captain of the steam-powered Riverboat Laura in the 1870s. The family has lived in Jasper ever since that time.
Tommy met the love of his life, Brenda, in 1980. Brenda was sent to the Jasper Ice Co. one day
to collect a fundraising check for her employer. Tommy knew at that moment he wanted to
spend the rest of his life with this young woman. Tommy and Brenda started dating
shortly after and were married on February 7, 1981. They spent the next 43 years building a life
together, devoted and deeply in love. Tommy always said that he would have been lost without
Brenda.
Tommy was a natural leader and served in many civic and Methodist church leadership roles.
He was a third generation Jasper City Councilman, serving eight years on the council. His grandfather, James T. Schofield, served two terms on the Jasper City Council, and his father, Tom Schofield, also served on the Jasper City Council. Tommy’s commitment to service was rooted in his belief that if you wanted to create change and make improvements you need to be involved and care deeply about the benefit and betterment of the community and the people without asking for anything in return.
Like his father, Tommy served on the JISD Board of Trustees. Tommy served on the Board for nine years in the 1990s and early 2000s, serving two years as President of the Board. One of the many accomplishments of Jasper ISD during his time on the Board, was the building of the Jean C. Few Primary School. The naming of the school was very special to him, since Mrs. Few was his own childhood school teacher.
Tommy was a member of the Jasper Economic Development Corporation (JEDCO) Board for several years and worked to bring ProValus to Jasper.
Tommy was a financial advisor for over twenty-five years, currently a partner in the Schofield-Heinz Group. Prior to working in the financial industry, he was the owner/ manager of Jasper Ice Company for many years. He was so very proud of all the young people that he worked with and mentored through the years at the ice plant, and he loved hearing about all their successes. He had terrific ice plant stories to tell. In addition to pallbearers and honorary pallbearers, all former employees of Jasper Ice Company are special, honorary pallbearers.
Tommy was a man of his word. He believed that a handshake and his word were his bond and promise. He was honest and spoke what was on his mind. He had a strong work ethic and worked hard all of his life to support his family. He passed that work ethic on to his beloved sons, Jason, Michael and Daniel, teaching them that to be successful at anything you had to work hard and keep God and family first. Tommy did his best to help others whenever he could, and tried to treat other people fairly and well. Tommy was a great friend. He was always happy for others when they succeeded. He always had a smile on his face, loved to visit with others, and always seemed to find the best in everyone. He was always the first to tell a joke and did so often. He addressed strangers as friends; and was friendly to everyone he came in contact with.
Tommy was an avid golfer and outdoorsman who loved deer and duck hunting. His happiest days were those spent on the golf course or hunting and working on the Forks of the River Hunting Club with his sons; Jason, Michael, Daniel, best friend Randy Sayers and countless other hunting buddies. He kept journals of their adventures. Tommy believed that nature and early mornings in the field offered some of the world’s purest and simplest joys. Tommy was a great storyteller and had a way of making you feel that you were part of the story. He was a big Dallas Cowboys fan. He loved playing on local Fantasy Football teams.
Tommy’s favorite role was that of a devoted and loving husband, Dad, R-Graddy and Granddaddy. He took great care of and adored his family, and they adored him. He was so proud of his wife, three sons, daughters-in-law and five grandchildren, and they are so proud and thankful for the gifts of his love, care, hard work, guidance and devotion.
Tommy is survived by his devoted wife of 43 years, Brenda; Son, Jason and wife Kendra, grandsons, Ian and Logan, of Jasper; Son, Michael and fiancé Candice of Midland, TX; Son, Daniel and wife Chelsea, granddaughters, Olivia and Gentry, and grandson, Nolan, of Beaumont, TX; also, his niece, Deborah Johnson and husband Roger of Tatum, TX, special cousin, Burns McFarland, of Bay Springs, MS, and special aunt, Sue Walker, of Richmond, TX.
He joined his parents, Tom and Kathryn Schofield and sister, Kathy Cummings, in heaven.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at First Methodist Church of Jasper with interment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will greet friends on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. in the Frank Ealand Hall at First Methodist Church in Jasper.
Memorials may be made to the JISD Bark Express Children’s Literacy Project c/o, United Methodist Church of the Pines, 740 Verna St., Jasper, TX; Ronald McDonald House Charities Greater Houston 1907 Holcombe Blvd. Houston, TX 77030 or Beds for Kids, c/o 1st Methodist Church, 329 N. Bowie, Jasper, TX. Condolences can be posted at www.shultzfuneralhomeofjasper.com or on Facebook at Shultz Funeral Home &Crematory.
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