Thomas D. Gladden

Thomas Dale Gladden, age 87, of Wharton passed away on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 in a Wharton hospital following a lengthy illness. He was born on January 28, 1926 in Caddo Gap, Arkansas, the son of the late Herbert and Celia Millsapps Gladden. Mr. Gladden was raised in the Caddo Gap, Arkansas. He graduated from high school in Arkadelphia, Arkansas where he later attended and graduated from Ouachita Baptist University and received his Master’s Degree from Henderson State University. Tom married Willodene Arnold on August 17,1947 in Arkansas. She passed away in February 1987. He later married Grace K. Dean on December 29, 1989 in Wharton. Tom served his country honorably in the United States Army. Tom worked as an educator in Arkansas, Wharton and Bay City. Tom enjoyed sports, cooking for his family and friends, yard work and teaching and coaching high school students. He was active at First Baptist Church in Wharton where he served as a deacon. Private graveside services were held on Friday afternoon at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial services followed at 4 pm at First Baptist Church in Wharton with Dr. Donnie Melton officiating. Survivors include his wife, Grace Gladden of Wharton, daughter Rita Lane and husband, Bill of Katy, step-daughter Carolyn Runyan and husband, Phil of Round Rock, and step-son, William S. Dean of New Braunfels, sister, Jessie West and husband, Orlin of Dumas, Arkansas, brothers, Bob Gladden of Little Rock, Arkansas and Larry Gladden and wife, Beth of Texas City, Texas, grandchildren, Brad Lane and wife, Erin, Lindsay Wall and husband Ashton, Lindsey Runyan, Madison Runyan, William Dean III, and Donna Dean, great grandchildren, Caroline Lane, Bennett Lane, Kaylea Wall and Lainey Wall. Pallbearers were Dee Gray, Timmy Barker, Bill Kirkpatrick, Jack Thornton, Brad Lane and Bill Lane. If desiring, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 507 North Fulton, Wharton, 77488 or the American Cancer Society, 204 Second Street, Wharton Texas 77488