Tommy Culwell

Tommy Culwell, 74, of Abilene, TX, went home to be with the Lord on June 15th, 2025.

Visitation will be from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday, June 19th, at Hamil Family Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, June 20th, at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church in Abilene, TX, with Pastor David Stevens officiating. Burial will follow at Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.

Tommy was born at Hendrick Memorial Hospital in Abilene, TX, to Billy and Joy Culwell on September 29th, 1950. He attended high school at Anson High School and went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts from Hardin Simmons University in 1973. During his college days, Tommy was a member of the Hardin Simmons Rangers, a service club, as well as part of the college debate team. Tommy’s love for academic study would not stop there, as he went on to study theology and pastoral ministry at Southwestern Seminary, graduating in 1976 with a Master of Divinity, and again in 1992, with a Doctor of Ministry. His zeal for education and reading was well known, with keen interests in theology, philosophy, and the American Civil War. Through it all, one area of Tommy’s academic life remained consistent: The Word of God. His commitment to studying the scriptures never waned, and his passion for preaching and hearing the Word of God remained with him all his days.

Tommy married the love of his life, Laquita Jane Ross, on August 26th, 1978, at Midway Baptist Church in Big Spring. Together, Tommy and Laquita built a beautiful marriage and life rooted in faith, service, laughter, and family. They have two beloved and cherished daughters, Amanda and Laura.

Tommy loved to make people laugh and gave his whole heart to everyone like the Good Shepherd he followed. He worked as an Admissions Counselor at Hardin-Simmons University for three years, assisting the college with recruiting students from across the country. Following this, and being called into ministry, Tommy served many faithful years as a Baptist pastor across Texas. He was first appointed as pastor at Memorial Baptist Church in Taylor, TX, in 1980 and served there for seven years; Belmont Baptist Church in Abilene, TX, for three years; First Baptist Church in Seymour, TX, for seven years; and Colonial Hill Baptist Church in Snyder, TX, for twenty-one years. In 2017, he went to work as a staff chaplain and pastoral care educator at Hendrick Health for seven years. In 2022, Tommy returned to the pulpit, pastoring at First Baptist Church in Cisco, TX, for three more years until his passing. Wherever Tommy was sent by God, he was committed to serving and loving God’s children like Jesus did, whether as a pastor, chaplain, father, husband… or friend.

Tommy was preceded in death by his father, Billy Culwell; mother, Joy Culwell; grandfathers, Bill Collins and Thomas John Culwell; and grandmother, Myra Juanita Milford Culwell.

Tommy is survived by his wife of 46 years, Laquita Culwell; daughters, Amanda Wyatt and Laura Anders, and their spouses, Jerry Wyatt and Dusty Anders; his grandchildren, Tommy and Joy Wyatt; and a great host of others who called him a friend.

The pallbearers are Bill Harris, Mike Jones, Joe Frank Hammack, Hal D. Jones, David Ross, and Elmer McMahan. Honorary Pallbearers: Jerry Wyatt and Dusty Anders.

Memorials may be given to Hardin-Simmons University and First Baptist Church of Cisco.

The family of Tommy wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Hendrick Hospital, especially the clinical team on P3, P5, CCU, and the care team at Hendrick Hospice Care for their compassion and service.

You may watch the Pioneer Drive Baptist Church Livestream of Dr. Tommy Culwell at https://www.youtube.com/@pioneerdriveabilene