Thomas “Tommy” Wells
Thomas “Tommy” Wells of Hemphill died peacefully Friday, October 10, 2025. He was born on June 1, 1955, at St. Therese Hospital in Beaumont, to Catherine Elizabeth Rooney and James Milton Wells, Jr.
He attended St. Pius Catholic Church in Beaumont for pre-k and graduated from French High School in 1973, working at Dickie’s Drive-In to pay his way through school.
A proud Texan and longtime resident of Sour Lake, Tommy made his home there in the early 1980s before settling in Hemphill shortly after retirement.
He began his electrical career with Gulf States Utilities – later known as Entergy Texas – where he worked his way from lineman to the relay department over more than two decades of dedicated service. In the early 2000s, his career led him to Diamond Offshore where he served as Electric Supervisor aboard The Ocean Confidence and Chief Electrical Engineer aboard The Ocean Endeavor, including during the historic Endeavor relocation from waters off the Egyptian coast, across the Mediterranean, and into the Black Sea. He retired from Diamond Offshore in 2015, completing a distinguished 30-year career as a master electrician. He came out of retirement in 2018 to take a job at JBT Electric in Beaumont, where his knowledge and experience landed him a supervisor position on his first day. He finally retired from full-time work for good in 2020.
In his later years, Tommy discovered a love for pickleball – often traveling for competitive tournaments and helping transform unused tennis courts at the Rayburn Country Resort into new pickleball courts. He was a proud member of a close-knit group of local enthusiasts who shared his passion for the game.
An avid fisherman, Tommy found peace out on the water. After retiring, he moved to the Fairmount area of Hemphill, near Toledo Bend Reservoir, where he could be close to the lake. He often sent his daughters and friends photos of “the big one,” always with a grin and a story to go with it.
A natural leader and a devoted neighbor, Tommy was elected president of the Laguna Shores HOA shortly after moving into the community. He took pride in the role, working tirelessly to improve the amenities and quality of life for his fellow residents.
Tommy’s grandchildren were his greatest joy. Whether taking them for rides in his Ranger Polaris, cruising the lake in his boat, or laughing together on the golf cart, those were the moments he cherished most.
Tommy was a man who never met a stranger. Large in stature and even larger in personality, he was the life of the party. When he walked into a room you certainly knew he was there. He could fix anything, brighten any room, and always had a story or joke ready to share. He was a family man who loved his family deeply and wasn’t afraid to show his love for anyone whom he cared about. He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Survivors include his wife, Donna Mae Wells; daughters, Kelsey Conner and her husband, Andy, of Dayton and Kayla Spell and her husband, Ronnie, of Sour Lake; bonus sons, Jody Singleton and his wife, Melissa and Bill Travis and his wife, Angel, all of Beaumont; sister, Kathy Koy of Katy; grandchildren, Savannah Singleton, Molly Conner and Hannah Conner; great-grandchildren, Ryder Singleton, Axel Dickerson, and Westyn Singleton; and grandchildren on the way, Thomas Owen “Tommy” Spell and Lily Maye Travis.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jimmy Wells; twin brother, Terry Wells; and grandson, Dakota Singleton.
A gathering of Mr. Wells’ family and friends will be from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at Broussard’s, 1605 Major Drive, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 10:00am, Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Broussard’s, with his interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.
Video
Gathering of Family and Friends
Broussard’s Mortuary Major Dr.
- 1605, North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas, 77713,
- October 15, 2025
- 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Funeral Service
Broussard’s Mortuary Major Dr.
- 1605, North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas, 77713,
- October 16, 2025
- 10:00 am
Interment
Forest Lawn Memorial Park
- 4955, Pine St, Beaumont, TX, 77703,
- October 16, 2025
We were so sorry to hear about Tommy he was an awesome person and a great friend to us. We love you both so much. Please let us know when you get back to Fairmount Love you Mary and George Scruggs
It was a pleasure knowing Tommy I could tell from the first time met he was one of those special people you meet in life. His easy to talk with and ever present smiles will truly be missed see ya later my friend.
A wonderful guy and great classmate. Remember playing little league with Tommy and Terry…the friendliest guys…and always with a smile. You have left many with some wonderful memories. Prayers and blessings for your family. Joe (Bill) Holland
Kelsey, I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. In reading his obituary, he went to the same high school my brothers and I did and he worked at the corner store at the end of the street I grew up on! I just never realized that was your dad! Please know you and your family and your girls are in my prayers.
Sorry for the loss of your father. My family and prayers are with you.
RIP Mr Tommy, you’ll definitely be missed. He was a very nice man. We will be praying 🙏 for Ms Donna. So sorry for the families loss.
I didn’t know Tommy very well, his brother Terry & family were my neighbors for several years…. Sorry for your loss
Donna, so sorry to hear of Tommy’s passing. We will be praying for the family during this difficult time.
I met Tommy and his twin brother Terry in elementary school and became good friends back then . My brother and I would ride our bikes to the Wells home in Beaumont and hang out in their clubhouse and ride on their go cart . I also played on Tommy’s softball team when we were older and he was a good player. Tommy will be missed .
I was raised in the North End with Tommy and Terry we lived on E Lucas and Tommy on Cleveland. As I remember there wasn’t a day we weren’t together either at his house riding a go cart his dad made , riding our bikes to Jim’s drive in (Mark Ferrels dad’s store) or swimming at Danny Coco’s house! My prayers are for his family and those close to Tommy, he’s dancing on golden streets now in heaven! He was definitely one of a kind!
I have known Tommy for a very long time. I first met him at St. Pius Catholic School in the early 1960’s. We got re-aquainted again back in the late 1970’s when we started playing softball together. Tommy was a true “character” with a colorful personality and anybody who ever met him would never forget him. Your first impression of Tommy might be that he was “full of beans”, but he could back up pretty much anything he said or maybe bragged about. He was truly a lot of fun to be around, and there was never a dull moment if Tommy was around. The last time I saw Tommy was when he was living in the Sour Lake area and working for Entergy as a lineman. The world has lost a “colorful” soul in Tommy Wells.
Donna and family,
So sorry to read about Tommy. Prayers of comfort for all.
Kelsey and family, I’m so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. Tommy was a wonderful man. I really enjoyed his coming to eat with us at Fesco’s. He mingled with others and made his visit a treasure. He may be GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN. You and your family will be in our THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS…RIP TOMMY😇🌹🙏🙏🙏
I grew up with Tommy and Terry and we spent many days riding bikes and go carts playing football and ping pong- I never had a bad time and although we drifted apart in our teens I have nothing but good memories- Rest In Peace Tommy and my thoughts and prayers go out to your family. Matt Toups