Thomas Lewis Davies
Thomas Lewis Davies engineered a beautiful life full of love and joy. Born on July 20, 1940, in Crowley, Louisiana. He signed off from his final mission on June 10, 2025.
We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Tom during his 84 years, among them: be prepared (the Boy Scout motto), always show up even when every step is challenging, appreciate the simple pleasures of life, be loyal in character, focus on your goals and chase them, be true to your word, have faith in the Lord, follow scripture’s teachings, and love fiercely with all of your heart.
Tom was born in the small rice farming community of Crowley, Louisiana. He was a graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now University of Louisiana – Lafayette) with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, graduating second in his class; but perhaps the best thing to come out of his time at USL was meeting the love of his life, Betty Ann Clarkson, known to most as “Punkie” and affectionately called “Gracie” by him.
With his lifelong partner found, Tom set out to take on the world with his first job in Applied Research at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in Florida which soon led to a dream fulfilled in a move to Houston to work at the newly established NASA/Manned Spacecraft Center (now Johnson Space Center). There he worked to develop cutting edge power generation and energy storage systems. He started during the Apollo program, helping to bring man to his first walk on the moon, coincidentally, on his birthday, July 20, 1969. He continued with the development and support of the Space Shuttle Fuel Cells and cryogenic storage systems through the retirement of the Shuttle program.
He was proud to serve in the Propulsion and Power Division for nearly four decades acting as Chief of the Power Branch in the last nine years.
In 1966, he was blessed to have another prayer answered with the birth of his first-born son, Christopher Kent. With the growth of their family, Tom and Punkie purchased their first home in League City, TX and found their forever church home at St. Christopher Episcopal Church where they have been devoted parishioners for 58 years, with Tom serving in various capacities including four terms as Senior Warden. In 1971, Tom and Punkie welcomed their second son, NASA protégé, Timothy Bryan, into their universe. In that same year Tom earned his Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Houston. In 1973, their next endeavor brought Thomas Matthew into the world and their family was complete.
Tommy’s proudest achievement was raising his 3 boys, coaching them in sports, leading them through Boy Scouts, and always being present to celebrate their accomplishments. Their greatest memories were when they hit the road and traveled with their sweet boys all over the country, from trips to Louisiana and Colorado and to numerous Boy Scout camps! Tommy and Punkie visited all 49 states in the North American continent! They also enjoyed traveling overseas and spending time with his family in Wales.
Tommy demonstrated commitment through every phase of his life: earning the rank of Eagle Scout as a youth, he then earned the St. George Award and the Soaring Eagle Award, serving as Scouting Coordinator between the Church and Troop 609 for 37 years. After retiring from NASA, he actively served League City and Galveston County Offices of Emergency Management until the last few weeks of his life.
He took an active role in the lives of his grandchildren by sharing nature with them in personalized campouts and getaways designed to celebrate each of their unique passions.
His memory lives on through his adoring wife of 61 years, Betty Ann; his 3 children, Christopher Kent (wife Kathryn), Timothy Bryan (wife Kathleen), and Thomas Matthew. Forever cherished and remembered by his 5 grandchildren, Reid Garrett (wife Bonnie and great grandson Colby Daniel), Cameron Alexander (wife Samantha and soon to be welcomed baby girl, Margo Jane), Bennett Hamilton, Anne Elizabeth, Jack Treston, and beloved niece, Suraiya Ayesha Lema (husband Raul, and children Evan, Audrey, Soraya, and Apollo).
Tommy is preceded in death by his parents, Melba Eliza Spell and Thomas Lewis Davies, and his sister, Sara Faye Lyons.
The memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Christopher Episcopal Church, 2508 St. Christopher Avenue, League City, TX 77573, with the Rev. Brian Cannaday officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation, National Park Foundation, St. Christopher Episcopal Church, or St. Christopher Scout Troop 609 (Bay Area Council).
Tommy was an incredible Dad and Papa that forever changed the trajectory of our lives. We will miss his twinkly blue eyes and how it felt when he told us how much he loved us, which he did at every opportunity.
A true pioneer of space exploration, he reached for the stars and inspired others to do the same. Godspeed, Tom Davies!
I knew and worked with Tom for almost 60 years. He was a great engineer and great friend. I’ll always be grateful for the financial advice he gave me. I’ll miss him.
I had the privilege of working with Tom for several years, he became a good friend and mentor, and I’ll always remember his kindness, humor, and steady presence. Rest in peace, my friend.
I was honored and privileged to work with Tom from 1969 until I retired in 1994. Tom was a very special person. He was highly intelligent, kind and a great friend.
I remember Tom Davies. He was a very kind and caring man. May God bless and keep his family and friends.
Patsy, Dana and I extend our condolences to the Davies Family, prayers in
this time of sorrow. Bless you with strength and faith.
Punkie, I am so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. You and the family are in my prayers.
Bob Delhommer
Punkie, I am sorry for the pain you and all Tom’s heart-circle of family and friends are enduring. And I am amazed and grateful to recall the joy and love you shared with one another, and with all of us nearby. May the surges of grief and loneliness pass as soon as may be, and may the joys springing from remembrance and gratitude of decades shared continue to grow and shine as time unfolds. I didn’t know, until reading the notice here, that Tom called you ‘Gracie’ – that seems very meet and right :-). Grace, healing, and deep peace to you now and always, dear friend.
Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of Mr. Tom Davies. I have fond memories of joining Mr. Tom, Ms. Punkie, Tim, Matthew, and my parents on road trips to football games when Curry and Chris played at Lutheran, before I became a student there myself. Those moments were filled with laughter.
Mr. Tom’s kindness and gentle spirit left a lasting impression on all who knew him. I was especially moved by the compassion he showed during my father’s illness—visiting often, speaking with him even when he could no longer respond, and reminiscing about the “old” NASA days. His presence brought comfort during a difficult time.
He will be deeply missed, but I take solace in knowing that his legacy of kindness, loyalty, and friendship lives on in the hearts of many. May he rest in peace, and may Godspeed be with him on his journey.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Clare Plauche’
My Mom and Curry send their condolences as well.
I have known Tom virtually all my life. We were in Miss Harmon’s first grade class together and then graduated from high school together. Tom was such a good Christian man and loved by all. He was a loyal classmate and we will really miss him. He and “Punkie” were so special. May God bless you and give you and your family all the love and support you need during this time of loss.
I had the honor and privilege of working for Tom for many years, becoming his Deputy, and later succeeding him when he retired. Tom was a wonderful engineer, boss, mentor, and friend. I saw him at the reunion we had back in April and regret not being able to spend more time with him.
Punkie, I can only imagine the pain you and the family are going through. You are all in my prayers. God bless!
I was lucky enough to know the Davies family since I was a kid. The Davies house was always one of my favorite houses to play at because Punkie and her kind, welcoming smile greeted me the second I walked through the door. Punkie and Tom always treated all the kids in the neighborhood like their own. I was lucky enough to get to see them when they would come to my family’s business, and it always made my day better. My heart breaks for the Davies family with the loss of Mr. Davies. He will be missed by more people than you know.
My sincere condolences to the family.
Joy Lindsey Chaddick.
Tom was my best friend. I remember all of the miles we jogged together, all the airports as we waited for flights together, and all of the meetings that we attended together. He was a wonderful coworker and incredible friend. I will truly miss him and am sure that we will meet again in the future.
My deepest condolences to the Davies family. I worked with Tom (Tim too) in the MER , he always had a smile.
Blessings
My sincere condolences to the Family and Peace be with you 🙏🙏
Tom always had a smile and and a kind heart
I am so sorry to hear this. My prayers and condolences to Punkie and his children.
RIP TOM. Love you.
I will miss him – Tom and I worked together for more than 30 years. Tom was a good friend and always a straight shooter; I admired his rock-like integrity as well as his pleasant personality.
I am so shocked to hear this. Prayers for Punkie & his family. Tommy was a classmate at UL (63), was a needed study partner and friend our junior, senior years. Missed seeing him their last trip to Lafayette area due to declining health.
George Gatlin
I was in that same first grade class with him and Charlotte Hamic and we were lifelong friends. An Eagle Scout is expected to set a good example for others to follow and to stress service to others, and he excelled in both.
Charles King, Crowley, La.
Tom was my Branch Chief in PPD. He was such a nice guy, treated everyone with respect, and had a wonderful sense of humor. We also shared some shifts in the MER after he retired from NASA where he regaled us with lots of NASA history from the good ole days. It was clear how much he loved Punkie and their sons. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
A classmate in Mechanical Engineering and a True gentleman.
Our deepest condolences.
Tom was a long-time member of the Galveston County Community Emergency Response Team. and that is where we first met. Tom was a quiet, unimposing, gentleman, and probably one of the smartest people in the room. He would remain quiet and smile, but when we would start talking about our history with Crowley, Louisiana, he would light up and eagerly tell stories and share places that he loved in that area of the state. I will miss our times telling stories and miss the history of the city of Crowley that you shared with me.
I wish to express my condolences to his family, thank you for sharing such a wonderful man with the rest of us!
I knew of Tom through his son Tim who worked with me at Boeing for years. Others in the power systems world at NASA always spoke highly of Tom. I got to know Tom a little better at our retiree luncheons and always enjoyed his wisdom on many topics. He will be missed.
Tommy was my cousin that we got to know through his aunt Mary Elizabeth back in in 1981. We immediately became close, but then Tommy was the kind of person you immediately fell in love with. He and Punkie were so very kind to us and their sons and our sons got on so well together. Later on in years we were so appreciative on the wedding invitation to Chris and Kathryn’s wedding. It was a momentous occasion for us especially as such celebrations in America are so very different to ours in Wales. Then came Tim and Kathleen’s wedding and again we accepted their kind invitation, along with our son Philip and had a wonderful time. We will always be grateful to have been part of both celebrations. Ten years ago was our last visit along with our younger son Ian. They had arranged a party for all their friends to meet us and we had a wonderful time. Tommy drove us through all the states from Texas to Dallas giving the history of places where they had selected for us to stay. He was such an interesting and knowledgeable person. My sister Eluned and I would have loved to be with you today but unfortunately there was not enough time for us to be able to make the arrangements. However Punkie, the boys and their families will be in our hearts today.
I was privileged to work with Tom and his son Tim on the Shuttle program for 18 years. I was always impressed with how even-keel Tom was in the MER during flights, and in the endless meetings between. When others would go off on a tangent, if he saw they couldn’t get themselves back on track, he would gently guide them back, often with just a few well chosen words. I really enjoyed his company & conversation during our monthly retiree lunches, and I know all of us will miss him greatly.
So sad to learn of Tom’s passing. Please remember all your friends are there for you in any way. You are blest with having some many memories and years together.
Fred and Janel Salmen
Tom sat me down when I 1st came into the EP5 branch and twisted my arm into doing 5% plus matched 5% into the Thift saving plan. Now that I’m retired, I’m so happy he made me do the match.
I had the privilege to work with Tom in the Space Shuttle Program’s Mission Evaluation Room (MER) in the post-Columbia era. He was one of a cadre of retired Apollo-era engineers that Boeing brought back to help guide the engineering team in the Shuttle’s final decade of flight.
It was always a pleasure to work a shift with Tom on console in the Mission Control Center. He was a seasoned systems engineer who could assess a problem and provide input with a soft-spoken wisdom. He was highly effective in his unique gentle way of focusing and guiding the engineering team in addressing and resolving problems.
I got to know the personal side of Tom as well. His deep faith, his love of family, his attitude of service, and his appreciation of humor made him one of the most genuine individuals I have known. I shall always remember his chuckle and his grin when we made him laugh.