Thomas "Tom" Bartlett

Thomas “Tom” Bartlett, 82, of Canadian, passed away on Saturday, November 7, 2026.

A private memorial graveside will be held at Edith Ford Memorial Cemetery on Saturday, November 14, 2026. Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory.

Tom was born on May 23, 1944 in Canadian to William Bartlett and Fermanetta Sawyer Bartlett. He was raised in Canadian and graduated from Canadian High School in 1962. Tom attended West Texas A&M before enlisting in the United States Army. He married Sue Hext on October 19, 1963, shortly before being deployed to Germany. In 1966, Tom and his family moved back to Canadian.

Tom started working for the family business again, just as he had done all his life. He was sent to run the lumber yard in Memphis and eventually asked to build an entirely new lumber yard in Dalhart out of the old Rock Island Train Depot. In the 70’s, Tom and his family moved back to Canadian where he continued to work alongside of his brother, Terrill, as the third generation of their family business.

Tom was a man of few words, but many talents. He was a commercially rated pilot and a certified scuba diver. Tom had a passion for Belgian horses and enjoyed taking them to chuck wagon cook outs with his friend, Tim Alexander. He enjoyed riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles and after all the kids had moved, he and Sue rode all over the country. In his younger years, he liked playing golf. His passionate personality and witty sense of humor earned him the nickname “Tom the Atom Bomb.” Tom also loved giving out nicknames to his family, every child and grandchild had a nickname lovingly bestowed upon them.

When Tom started slowing down, he liked to spend time eating at Alexander’s and having “board meetings” with his close friends. Tom loved nothing more than spending time with family and friends, especially his grandchildren. He will be remembered as a good man whose actions spoke much louder than his words.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, William and Fermanetta Bartlett; his son, Timothy Barltett; and one sister, Zanne Ness.

He survived by his wife of 63 years, Sue Bartlett of the home; two daughters, Stefanie Campbell and husband Craig of Dalhart and Kimberly Harland of Pampa; three siblings, Terrill Bartlett and wife Ronda of Canadian, Jane Brenner and husband Fred of Maine, and Laura Brakefield of Crandell; grandchildren, Slavin Meyer, Rhett Bartlett, Sawyer Meyer, Tate Harland, and Creed Harland; one great-granddaughter, May Harland; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In honor of Tom’s generous spirit, please consider performing an anonymous act of kindness for someone in need.