Tommy Cargile

Tommy Cargile, 77, suddenly passed away Monday, May 20, 2024 at his home in Abilene, TX. Tommy was born in Paris, Texas, on October 12, 1946 and was raised in Abilene, TX, with one sister, Barbara Cargile Flaugher and two brothers, Bobby and Billy Cargile. 

Funeral services will be held Monday, May 27th with visitation beginning at noon and the service following at 1:00 pm at Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road (Abilene, TX), with Jeff Reid officiating.  Burial services will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery located in Merkel, Texas.  Pallbearers include Nate Cargile, Colin Cargile, Cole Cargile, Eric Bird, and Philip Bird.  Memorials can be made in Tommy’s name to the Rose Hill Cemetery in Merkel.

Tommy’s family began attending Immanuel Baptist church at a young age and became close friends with the Bird Family where he met his future wife, Ginger Ann Bird.  He married Ginger on October 2, 1965, soon after they both graduated from Abilene High School.  Tommy was a long time grocery man. He started his grocery career at the ripe old age of ten at Hutchinson’s sorting bottles and putting eggs in cartons, working his way up to store manager at JRB on Leggett by the age of 22.   He then worked many years with Lawrence Brothers Grocery.  He thoroughly enjoyed sitting in the back room making deals and hearing all of the grocery gossip.  

Tommy developed a passion for travel after Ginger and the Bird family took him on his first trip outside of Texas where it opened a new world of different places and cultures.  He followed this trip with many throughout the United States and Europe with the entire family, including nieces, nephews, and in-laws.  The most impactful trip was his 50th anniversary trip to Europe to see some of the places where his father served in World War II. Tommy loved spending time at home where he enjoyed working in the yard and caring for his dogs and cats over the years.  He most enjoyed spending time with his family.  

His son, Chad Cargile, lives in Houston with his wife Dana Shelley Cargile.  They have three children, Nate, Colin and wife Jessica Thompson Cargile, and Cole. They adored their Grandpa, visiting their grandparents every summer as children and traveling with them on many trips.  Christmas was Tommy’s favorite holiday where he spent every one with Ginger, Amanda, Chad, Dana, the boys and the Bird family.  He loved decorating the house for holidays, listening to music, and watching sports.  As long-time members of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, Ginger and Tommy listened to the worship service every Sunday and formerly participated in Primetimers.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Lottie Mae (Jackie) and Thomas (Ray) Cargile, Sr.,  his brother-in-law Donald Flaugher, and niece Mary Elizabeth.  He is survived by his wife, Ginger Cargile, his son Thomas Chadwick Cargile and his wife Dana, his daughter, Amanda Cargile, his sister Barbara Cargile Flaugher, his brothers Bobby Cargile and his wife Kathy, Billy Cargile and his wife Mary as well as his grandchildren Nate Cargile, Colin Cargile and his wife Jessica, and Cole Cargile as well as numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved seeing and learning about their lives.

His sense of humor, creativity, kindness, smile, and love will be greatly missed.  He was a blessing to have as a husband, father, grandpa, and man.