Thomas Edgett

March 30,1941 - April 27,2016

Thomas B. Edgett, 75, passed away on April 27,2016 after a heroic struggle with cancer. Tom was bom to Luther Trueman and Mary Bonner Edgett on March 30,1941 in Maiden, Massachusetts. He grew up in Woburn, Massachusetts and graduated from Wobum High School in 1959.
He served in the US Air Force from 1959 to 1967. While in Viet Nam his mission was Ground Approach Radar. Back in the US he was stationed at Walker AFB in Roswell, NM and worked Security for the Missile Silos. After his time in the Air Force, he worked for Untvac in Arizona. Then he and his family returned to Roswell. He was a detective for the Roswell Police Department and a Deputy for the Chaves County Sheriff's Department He owned a Private Security Company, was trained as a Forensic Hypnotist, and was a Private Investigator. He relocated to San Antonio, Texas and became Sales Manager for a number of large car dealerships. 11 Va years later, Tom returned to Roswell and began yet another career with the State of New Mexico. He was the Lead Recruiter for the New Mexico Youth Challenge Academy until he retired in 2010. After retirement, he was an Instructor at Roswell Job Corps.
Tom met Julie E. Graves in 2001 and they married in 2008.

Tom was active in the community as a member of the Elks Lodge, Sertoma, and served on the Board for Teen Court He enjoyed reading and working on projects. In his back yard he constructed 765 square feet of decks and a TiKi Bar which became the hub of many lively conversations. He was the "Go-To Guy" for so many friends and neighbors who needed his help with anything and he got great satisfaction out of helping anyone who requested his assistance.
Above all else, Tom loved cruising! He went on his first cruise in 2002 and at the time of his passing was proud to have been on 30 cruises.
As his wife, I have this to add about Tom: He was a strong, independent, confident, pushy, opinionated Yankee who always told me: "There are no problems, only solutions". My Thomas B. Edgett never did anything halfway - including having cancer. If he was involved, it would be all the way and he did everything he possibly could to find a solution to this particular problem. I can see him now. He's telling St Peter there is a better design for the Pearly Gates and an innovative way to make them swing open with less creaking. St Peter will likely be intimidated by his Big Yankee Cop voice, a voice that would cause anyone to stop in their tracks. He had an incredibly generous and gentle side that he never wanted made public. He was full of bluster, bravado and brashness, but was never a bully. He was a loving father, the best husband and a true friend. We are so lucky in a lifetime if we can say we have as many true friends as fingers on one hand. I believe there are many who would count my Tom as one of those people.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Bob Edgett and Joe Edgett and his sister Grace Katanzariti.

He is survived by his wife Julie, daughters Lisa Winchester (Gerald) of Roswell, Meghan Garvey of Roswell, son Stephen Edgett of Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, stepdaughter Jennifer Reinhart of Roswell, stepson Patrick Graves of Albuquerque and five grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Anne Tirrell of Middletown, New York, sister-in-law Barbara Edgett of San Antonio, Texas and several nieces and nephews.
The family thanks the team of Gentiva Hospice, especially Katrina, Staci and Jessica for their loving care of Tom over the past month.
There will be a celebration of Tom's life on Saturday, May 7* from 6 to 8 PM at the family home.
The obituary was lovingly written by the family.