KATY, Texas | Thom Whitbeck, age 54, of Katy, Texas, a loving husband , father, son and brother, died July 4, 2006,from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Thom was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on November 8, 1951, to Frank Whitbeck, Jr. and Mary Sisson Whitbeck.

He graduated from Tuscaloosa County High School, and attended Alabama State University in Tuscaloosa. Thom married Christie Branson on June 10, 1988. He worked for Sonat Oil Exploration Company for 20 years.

Thom was a professional wild life artist and real estate agent. He was the past President of, Southern Federal Credit Union, and Cinco Ranch Area Art League. Thom was a local artist whose art work can be seen in many of the Katy area schools, homes and businesses. He attended Second Baptist Church of Hous- ton West Campus and was an honorary lifetime member of the P.T.A.

Thom was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Whitbeck.

Thom is survived by his wife, Christie Whitbeck; a son, Taylor Whitbeck; a daughter, Callie Whitbeck; his father, Frank Whitbeck, Jr.; his brothers, Frank Whitbeck, III and his daughters, Meredith and Stefanie Whitbeck, and Jim Whitbeck; his mother and father-in-law, Karen and Jim Branson; his brothers and sisters- in-law, Lonnie and Amber Branson, and Todd and LeAnn Branson and their children Conner, Tatum and Cooper Branson.

Friends are invited to a visitation with the family from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, July 7, 2006, at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home, 12800 Westheimer Road at Dairy Ashford. Funeral Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 8, 2006, at Second Baptist Church, West Campus, 19449 Katy Freeway, with Rev. Keith Carmichael officiating. Graveside Services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery.

For those who so desire, memorial contributions can be made to a scholarship fund that is being set up for Thom's children at Wells Fargo Bank, 4311 West Grand Parkway South, Katy, Texas 77494.

Published in Tuscaloosa News on July 7, 2006.