Thomas Shapiro

Thomas "Tommy" David Shapiro, age 66 of Odessa, TX, passed away on October 29, 2015 in Odessa.

Rosary will be at 5:00 pm, Monday, November 2, 2015 at Sunset Funeral Home followed by visitation from 6:00-8:00 pm.

A Memorial Mass will be at 10:00 am, Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at St. Elizabeth's Ann Seton Church with Reverend Mark Woodruff officiating.

Tommy was born in Cameron, TX to Marge and Dr. David Shapiro on February 27, 1949. After graduating Jefferson High School in Port Arthur, he attended Lamar University, graduating with a BBA in accounting. He married Shirley Tronstad on August 31, 1972 in Port Arthur. His only child, Libby, was born January 16, 1979 and was forever his baby girl. He was extremely proud of his daughter, her family and all of their accomplishments.

He worked in healthcare all his life, beginning as a janitor and working his way up through the ranks of hospital administration. After serving as the assistant administrator at Eastway General Hospital in Houston, he became the Administrator at Alvin Community Hospital in Alvin, TX.

He was part of a team that, in the late 1970's, came to Odessa to find a piece of land for the purpose of building a new hospital, which is now Odessa Regional Medical Center, and fell in love with Odessa. He would then move to Odessa in 1986 to become the Administrator of that hospital, known as Odessa Women's and Children's Hospital at that time. He loved his work, and was an ardent advocate for physicians. After leaving Women's and Children's in the 1990's, he began his own business, providing business support to private physician practices, which he continued until his recent (partial) retirement.

Tommy loved his family, and always looked forward to spending time with his grandchildren. He loved to cook, especially for his family, who were always willing taste testers for his recipes. He was a ham radio operator, and 75 foot antenna tower in his backyard. He was a member of Texas DX Society and loved to participate in ham radio contests. He enjoyed reading, especially spy novels and WWII history, along with watching and attending NASCAR races.

Tommy loved people, and particularly loved helping people succeed. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge with others, so that they could be successful. He also loved his dogs, which he treated as members of his family, his daughter sometimes thought were her siblings. He loved Odessa, and with his wife, Shirley, was a member of the Oil Barron's. He loved life, had an insatiable energy and humor, especially prior to the deterioration of his health.

Tommy is preceded in death by his parents, Marge and Dr. Shapiro; his parents in law, Kitty and Capt. Glenn Tronstad; and his sister in law, Kathy Claxton.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Shapiro; his daughter, Libby Campbell, and her husband, Judd; his grandchildren, Max, Gracie and Lulu Campbell; and his niece, Katie Claxton; all of Odessa.

Tommy's family would like to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Joel Adams, who kept Tommy alive for the past ten years while living with COPD. We are eternally grateful for the time we had with him. We would like to further thank Dr. Abdul Kadir, the ICU staff at MCH, the Texas Tech critical care unit physicians, and Home Hospice, all of which have been so very supportive through the end of his life.

Memorials may be given to the American Lung Association, 55 W. Wacker Dr. Suite 1150, Chicago, Illinois, 60601 or West Texas Food Bank, 1008 E. 2nd St., Odessa, TX, 79761.

Visitation

Rosary

Sunset Funeral Home
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Monday, November 2, 2015
5:00 pm

Visitation

Sunset Funeral Home
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Monday, November 2, 2015
6:00-8:00 pm

Service

Memorial Mass

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church
7601 N. Grandview
Odessa, TX  79765
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
10:00 am

Memorial Contributions

American Lung Association
55 W. Wacker Dr. Suite 1150
Chicago, IL  60601

West Texas Food Bank
1008 East 2nd Street
Odessa, TX  79761