Shasta Tom, Texas Rancher and Community Pillar, Passes Away at 100
Leakey, TX – Shasta Tom, a longstanding figure in Texas ranching and community life, died on April 30, 2026, at a care facility in Comfort at the age of 100. Her century-long life spanned the Great Depression, decades of farming, and deep civic involvement in Leakey and surrounding counties.
Born April 7, 1926, in Burnet, Texas, Shasta was the 12th of 13 children in the Gillum family. Early years were marked by sharecropping moves across Texas during the Depression, before settling permanently in Leakey when Shasta was about eight years old. She never left the area after that, becoming one of the most respected farmers and community leaders in the region.
Ranching Legacy and Family
After marrying Carroll Tom on November 22, 1944, at the Uvalde Courthouse, Shasta and Carroll began farming and ranching on leased land spanning Real, Uvalde, and Edwards Counties. Their partnership forged a legacy rooted deeply in Texas agriculture that Shasta continued alone after Carroll’s death in 1989.
Shasta’s commitment to ranching and farming lasted until her health declined in recent years. She was deeply involved in her church and supported local organizations including the March of Dimes, PTA, Cub Scouts, 4-H, and the FFA, impacting generations of families beyond her own.
Family and Community Impact
Her family mourns not only her passing but also of her son, Billy Bob Tom, who passed before her. Survivors include her daughter, Phyllis Spurgin, son Jimmy Tom, along with seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and a great-great grandchild.
Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Leakey Floral Cemetery, under the care of Kerrville Funeral Home. The family has requested memorials be directed to Leakey EMS or the Leakey Volunteer Fire Department, honoring Shasta’s lifelong commitment to community service.
Why This Matters Now
Shasta Tom’s passing closes a remarkable chapter of American resilience and rural dedication, specially resonant in today’s context of changing rural economies and values. Her story reflects the enduring spirit of the American agricultural community, a narrative that resonates from Texas to Alaska and across the nation.
For rural and farming families in Alaska and the United States, Shasta’s life offers an inspiring example of perseverance, community engagement, and honoring family legacy amid hardship and change.
Shasta Tom’s century-long journey through America’s evolving agricultural landscape reminds us of the strength rooted in land, family, and service — values that continue to shape communities nationwide.
