Harvey "Tom" Thomas Southworth

Harvey Thomas “Tom” Southworth went to be with the love of his life Monday, December 11, 2023. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 AM Friday December 15, 2023 at Cox-Rowley Funeral Home with Pastor Greg Corona officiating.

Tom was born March 3, 1953 in Long Beach, California.  He was adopted and brought home to Texas at three days old to live with his parents, Bill and Irma Lea (Farmer) Southworth. When Tom was five months old, Bill and Irma Lea were in an accident that resulted in Tom primarily being raised by his grandmother, Lois Farmer.

As he grew up, he spent time living in Amarillo with Lois and living in Colorado and California with Bill.  He graduated from Tascosa High School in 1971.

In early 1973 Tom’s oldest and dearest friend, Jeff Meade introduced him to the girl that would be his wife for 45 years.  Tom and Melinda (Gaston) were married in Amarillo on February 2, 1974. While times weren’t always the easiest, they were a shining example of perseverance and always choosing each other.  Melinda passed away February 11, 2019, just after their 45th anniversary.

While we know he worked as a shoe salesman for a blip, Tom was born into a car dealer legacy.  He worked at a few dealerships over the years before opening his own lot.  Tom worked hard to provide for his family until 2016 when he and Melinda decided to retire and knock some items off of the bucket list. He knew everyone in the business and always had “a guy” to help with anything anyone needed.

In 1978, Tom and Melinda’s eldest daughter, Leasa, joined the family.  She was pretty sure she was going to be an only child, with the best parents that sat through every soccer, basketball and volleyball game and more swim meets than anyone can count.  Leasa’s regular events were long events and Tom would consistently walk down the side of the pool so that every breath she took, she could see him cheering her on.

(Leasa was wrong, by the way)  In 1988, Rebecca “Becky” completed the family. In true form, Tom and Melinda spent many weekends in basketball gyms supporting Becky on the court.   They both cheered for and showed up to every crazy sport or event either girl had.

In 2007, Lillean, Leasa’s only daughter (and another girl to add to Tom’s “girls”) made a worrisome, extremely early appearance in the world.  Tom, Melinda and Becky visited Lillea during her 61 day NICU stay nearly every day.  While he always hoped at least one boy would show up, he learned to embrace his “girls.”  Lillea has been the apple of his eye and to his last day he was so proud of her accomplishments and determination.

Tom was preceded in death by his partner in everything, Melinda; his youngest granddaughter, Ayden Aerin; both of his parents, Bill and Irma Lea and his grandmother that raised him, Lois. He was also preceded in death by a special uncle, Roger Farmer, his dear friend Tommy Thomason and unfortunately, several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Tom is survived by his eldest daughter, Leasa Salazar; her daughter Lillea and her father John Salazar; his youngest daughter, Rebecca Southworth; his oldest friend in the world Jeff Meade; his very special cousin Suzanne Morris; his uncle Jim Farmer and aunt Frances Dee Westmoreland and bonus kid/niece Khaki Wakefield.  He had a large extended family with many cousins who are still with us.  He also is survived by most of his buddies from the car world; they are practically family.  Lastly, he is survived by his fur babies, Shadeaux and Oscar.

We are grateful that he will be spending Christmas with his bride and granddaughter this year.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to Austin Pets Alive at https://www.austinpetsalive.org/