T.J. Honeycutt

Thomas Joseph "T.J." Honeycutt was born on April 4, 1917 in Marlin, Falls County, Texas to Nobe E. Honeycutt and Vera Mullens Honeycutt and passed away on January 4, 2008 in Conroe, Texas. He is survived by his wife, Hazel Oliver Honeycutt and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Lana Honeycutt; and sisters, Elizabeth Houston and Ruby Joy Foster. T.J. attended McClanahan rural school and graduated from Marlin High School in 1935. He attended and graduated from John Tarleton Agriculture College (now Tarleton State University) from 1935 – 1937. He was employed by Falls Hotel in Marlin for one year before being employed at Taylors Chapel, Falls County and nearby McClanahan rural school where he taught and was principal from 1940 – 1942. T.J. married Hazel Oliver in December, 1939 and they celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary in December, 2007. He worked for Falls County ASC during the summer of 1941 and for Houston Ship Building Co. the summer of 1942. T.J. volunteered for the U.S. Army Air Corps, September 1942 and was stationed at Blackland Army Air Field, Waco Texas from September 1942 to May, 1943; Kearns Field, Salt Lake City, Utah, May 1943 to August, 1943. He went overseas in September 1943 and served in North Africa, Corsica and Italy. He arrived home in August, 1945 for a short visit before reporting for training for the mission to invade Japan where upon V.J. Day was declared several days later and he was discharged September, 1945. T.J. was employed by Ward Produce Co in Marlin for two years as a bookkeeper and then attended Sam Houston State University in Huntsville receiving his B.S. degree in 1948 and M.A. degree in 1949 in agricultural education. He was employed as a vocational agriculture teacher at Marlin High School from July 1,1949-January, 1964. During that time he served as President of the Marlin Jr. Chamber of Commerce, President of Marlin Lions Club, President of Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas, Vice-President and President Elect of the National Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association, member of Board of Directors for 20 years of the Agricultural Workers Auto Insurance Co, Ft. Worth, Texas and a member of the Executive Committee. T.J. came to Sam Houston State University in January 1964 and continued teaching for the university for the next 21 years; he also served as head teacher trainer for many of those years. He served on the Sam Houston Athletic Council for 10 years and continued to be an avid supporter of the athletic program. T.J.held many positions and received many awards during his lifetime. He was President, Collegiate F.F.A. chaper at Sam Houston State University; President, Agriculture Educators, State of Texas; Vice President Region II National Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association; outstanding teacher educator in Texas, 1977; awarded for contribution to vocational education, Texas Vocational Assoc. 1957–1958; chairman, state F.F.A. Leadership contest; advisor for Area IX (State and National F.F.A. winners); advisor, agriculture education for Young Farmers of Texas Assoc.; received Honorary American Farmer degree at F.F.A. Convention, Kansas City, Missouri, October, 1980.; National F.A.A. organization honored him with the American Farmer Degree, the highest honor they can bestow on an individual. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Huntsville, Texas. Services will be on Wednesday, January 9, at 11:00am in the chapel of the Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home, Huntsville with interment at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Marln, Texas at 4:00pm. He will lie in state Monday January 7, from Noon–7:00pm and Tuesday, January 8, from 8:00am–7:00pm. Memorial donations may be made to your charity of choice. Memorial condolences may be made online at www.shmfh.com.

T.J. Honeycutt

April 4, 1917 - January 9, 2008