Tom Whitehead, Jr.

Tom Simmons Whitehead Jr., 76, of Brenham, died Friday, November 05, 2004 at St. Luke s Hospital in Houston. Mr. Whitehead was born July 18, 1928 in Midland, Texas, to Tom Simmons and Edythe Kerley Whitehead. He graduated third in his class at Brenham High School, studied for one year at Blinn College, and graduated Cum Laude from the University of Texas in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism degree. He worked as a copy editor and later as a reporter with the Austin American-Statesman. He spent 1951 1953 as photographer in the U.S. Army 301st Signal Corps. Mr. Whitehead returned to Brenham in 1953 to become editor of the family-owned newspaper, the Brenham Banner Press. He married Bonnie Dee Thomas of Somerville on May 23, 1953. After the sale of the newspaper in 1962, he became manager of the family-owned radio station, KWHI-AM. For more than fifty years he was actively involved in the family business, as station KWHI-FM now KTTX-FM was added in 1964. He and his father also built and operated Brenham s cable TV system until it was sold in 1987. Along with his sons Tom Dee and Mark, he oversaw the upgrade of KTTX-FM to 50, 000 watts in 1992. During his career Mr. Whitehead received many honors, including being elected President of both the Texas Association of Broadcasters and the Texas Cable TV Association. He was also named the Texas Pioneer Broadcaster of the Year in 1987. The Washington County Chamber of Commerce named Mr. Whitehead Man of the Year for 2000, citing his leadership role in more than 50 years of countless civic, charitable and community projects. He was past Commander of the American Legion Post, Lions Club President, Oak Hill Water District Chairman, First Christian Church Board Chairman, Brenham Country Club President, Brenham Industrial Foundation President, Vice President of the Brenham Heritage Museum Board, Vice President of the Washington County Boys and Girls Club Board, and a member of the Brenham Rotary Club. During his life he was involved in numerous civic projects. In the late 1950 s, he campaigned to get the city water and sewer systems upgraded and approved by the state. In the early 1960 s, he organized a citizens committee to get the Highway 290 Loop built around Brenham. He was a charter member of the Goodfellows Organization of Washington County. In 1985 he provided matching funds for the Washington County courthouse landscaping project. In 1989 he provided major funding for the children s addition to the Nancy Carol Roberts Memorial Library, naming it in honor of his parents. In 1991 he provided matching funds for the founding of the Brenham Heritage Museum. As President of the Brenham Industrial Foundation in 1992, he led a campaign for an economic development sales tax. Although the issue failed, it was revised by the city and passed three years later with park improvements added. From 1994 to 1996, he worked to bring Brenham s historic steam-powered fire engine back from the State Fire Museum in Beaumont. He co-chaired the fund drive that raised nearly $100, 000 for the building to house the fire engine. Mr. Whitehead s most recent focus was the Washington County Boys and Girls Club, which he helped organize in 1995. His work and leadership in fundraising culminated in the opening of the new Club building earlier this year. The community will surely miss his vision, his leadership, and his generosity. Through all of his years in the media, he will always be remembered as the ultimate newsman. As his father before him, he helped shape the future of Brenham and Washington County through his commentaries and editorials as The Spectator . Mr. Whitehead is survived by his wife of 51 years, Bonnie Dee Thomas Whitehead of Brenham; sons and daughters-in-law Tom Dee and Melissa Montgomery Whitehead of Brenham, Mark Kerley and Heidi Hofmann Whitehead of Brenham, and Robert Clyde and Kym Ambelang Whitehead of Austin. He will also be missed by ten grandchildren, Frank, Ellen, Hunter, Kaitlin, Seoul, James, Jordyn, Jesse, Stephanie and Jack. The family will receive friends on Monday, November 8, 2004 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham. A memorial service for Tom Simmons Whitehead Jr. will be held Tuesday, November 9, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. at First Christian Church of Brenham, 306 Cottonwood, with Reverend Gary Jeter officiating. Burial will follow in the Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham. Pallbearers will be Dr. W. F. Hasskarl Jr., Dr. Henry Boehm Jr., Milton Tate, Pierre Roberts, Odell Lueckemeyer, Lonnie Addicks and Dr. H. A. Bud Smith. Honorary pallbearers include Robert Buster Appel, Woodrow Free, Albert Kieke and Bill Mayfield. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Washington County Boys and Girls Club, P.O. Box 1952, Brenham, TX 77834. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main St., in Brenham. 979-836-4564.