Thomas Carroll Inman

Dr. Thomas Carroll Inman, Sr. born on October 31, 1931 went home to his Lord on December 25, 2010. Tom was a long time resident of Houston where he had lived in Bunker Hill Village for over 50 years. Tom passed away peacefully on Christmas Day with his beloved wife, as always, by his side. Tom was one of two children born to the late J.T. and Madell Inman of Fort Worth, Texas. He was the beloved husband of Shirley Tait Inman for over 58 years. Tom will forever be remembered by his devoted brother Danny Inman, beloved children Dr. Thomas Inman, Jr. and wife Rachel, Bruce Inman and wife Jenny, and Anne Richard and husband Craig, treasured grandchildren Thomas, Ryan, Abigail and Annie Inman, along with countless other friends and family whom were blessed to know him. Tom loved spending time with his family, playing golf, flying, camping, hunting, watching sports, photography, and keeping up with current trends in dentistry. The family traveled the U.S. in their motor home and belonged to the Tejas Travelers Camping Club. They bred Tennessee Walking Horses, Quarter Horses and Miniature Horses on their ranch. Their mutual love of flying led them to open Inman Aircraft Leasing, Inc., at Andrau Airport in the 1970’s.

Tom was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas and graduated from Paschal High School in 1949. He attended Texas Christian University from 1949 to 1951; while there he met and fell in love with his soul-mate Shirley Anne Tait. Tom briefly left college in 1951 to join the United States Air Force during the Korean War. Tom and Shirley were married on November 21, 1952 at the University Christian Church. He was then stationed overseas at Bushy Park Air Force base in London England, from 1953 to 1955. He could not stand to be away from his love and in 1953 brought Shirley to join him in Great Britain by way of the ocean liner the Queen Elizabeth I. It was the first time either had been away from family and friends and they spent several happy years together exploring Great Britain and continental Europe. He completed his military service on January 1, 1955 and both of them returned to Fort Worth, Texas where he resumed his undergraduate studies at TCU. In the summer of 1956 he was accepted into The University of Texas Dental School in Houston, Texas. He was a member of the first freshmen class to begin their education at the new dental school location in the medical center. For the next four years he studied dentistry while Shirley worked at Humble Oil. They lived in Bellaire, Texas and made many life long friends with other students they met. It was frugal days but would later be recalled as some of the best times of their lives. Tom graduated in the spring of 1960 and opened his own private dental practice that summer in their new hometown of Houston. That first office was located on Long Point Road next to the newly opened Spring Branch Hospital. He spent many years establishing himself and building his practice with his wife, Shirley, by his side. In the spring of 1961 they were blessed with their first child, Tom, Jr. soon to be followed by another son, Bruce Robert in 1964 and daughter, Anne in 1966. Tom continued his education and strove to be at the forefront of his profession. He eventually expanded his practice and moved into the brand new Memorial City Professional Building I in 1967. There he would continue to grow his practice and be a mentor to several newly graduated dentists over the years. His practice continued to flourish and he expanded his office again into their final location in the Town & Country Central Building in 1984. His son Tom, Jr, joined the practice as an associate dentist in 1992, his daughter, Anne, joined as a hygienist. He eventually turned the practice over to his son and retired in 2006. As much as he loved dentistry he loved his family more.

He spent many happy years practicing with his son and daughter while his wife, Shirley, ran the front office. He often bragged that he was very blessed to work and have lunch with his kids on a daily basis. Later, when his Parkinson’s restricted his mobility, his son Bruce and wife Jenny, moved back home to help Shirley care for him. He spent many happy hours with Bruce and Jenny watching sports together. Along with Shirley, they continued to care for him right up to the end. His greatest enjoyment however came from watching and spending time with his grandchildren, Thomas III, Ryan, Abigail and Anastasia.

He and Shirley joined Chapelwood United Methodist Church in 1960. They started and taught many groups and classes such as the Candlelighters class in 1961, the College and Career Class in 1962, the Love Courtship and Marriage class in 1963 and the Friday Night Bull Sessions in 1963. He served on the Board of Stewards twice during the late sixties. Tom was a life member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo where he received the coveted 50 year member belt buckle. He was member of the Spring Branch Memorial Optimist Club in the 1960s. He was a member of the American Legion VFW.

Professional memberships included the Greater Houston Dental Society, Texas Dental Association, American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentists, Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Academy of Dental Implantology. He was a member of The Flying Dentists Club in 1970s. He studied under the late great Dr. L.D. Pankey in Florida. He also was active in both Dr. Omer Reed’s NAPILI seminars and Dr. Avrom King’s NEXUS seminars.

Tom touched the lives of many people with his compassion and generosity, and maintained his trademark sense of humor all the way to the end. Friends and family are invited to attend his funeral service on January 4, 2011 at 10:00 AM at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay. Burial to follow at Houston National Cemetery.

The family has requested donations be made to:

www.michaeljfox.org