Thomas David Hoffpauir

Thomas David "Tom" Hoffpauir Sr, was born February 25, 1939 in Dixie Gardens, Louisiana to Roy and Annette Pratt Hoffpauir. Tom attended C.E. Byrd High School until enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1957. He graduated and received his high school diploma in 1958 from Barstow High School in Barstow, California while stationed there in the Marine Corps. He was honorably discharged and returned to Shreveport, Louisiana in 1960. He married the love of his life, Betty Francis Waters, on June 30, 1961. They were married for 59 years until she passed away on November 24, 2020. Tom was a chartered life underwriter, received many certifications, and had many successes in insurance sales. He also worked for years in the finance business. At age 60, he returned to school and received an associate degree in 2000 from Bossier Parish Community College. He was an extremely avid sports fan, rodeo fan, and a real music lover. He was a champion rodeo cowboy into his 20's. He enjoyed playing and coaching church league basketball and softball for many years. Tom was also a good bowler. He was a proud member of the Gray Panthers, a group of exercise buddies who worked out and held court three days a week at the downtown YMCA for years! He had great taste in music and left behind a wonderful jazz and blues music collection. He also had a remarkable collection of sports autographs and memorabilia. His real sports passion was in the University of Oklahoma Athletics Program. He fell in love with the Sooners while in the Marine Corps and was their greatest fan. He traveled the country to watch rodeo, baseball, OU Football and basketball with his wife/sidekick, Betty, often by his side. They loved to travel and enjoyed meeting new people. Tom never met a stranger. He and Betty were active members of Cherokee Park Baptist Church for many years, and then later became active members of Trinity Heights Baptist Church. They were proud members of the 39ers Sunday School class. Tom was an amazing husband, father, brother, and uncle. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Gerald Lamar (Dee) Christ, William Daniel (Tuffy) Christ, and Donald Wayne Christ and his wife, Lillian. His wife, Betty, passed away this past November. Left to cherish his memory is his son, David Hoffpauir and wife, Susan, of Little Rock, Arkansas, and a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, teammates, and many great friends. In lieu of flowers the family suggest making memorials may be made to Compassion Works for All, P.O. Box 7708, Little Rock, Arkansas 72217-7708 or by visiting compassionworksforall.org/donate.