Funeral services for Mr. John Thomas “Tommy” Gist, Jr., age 80, of West Monroe, Louisiana, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, September 4, 2023, at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, with Tommy’s brother, Rev. Al Gist, and his pastor, Rev. Chad Ballard officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery, West Monroe, Louisiana. Visitation will be held Sunday, September 3, 2023, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the church.

Services are under the direction and care of Kilpatrick Funeral Home West Monroe.

Tommy was born in Natchez, Mississippi on September 10, 1942, and passed away at his home on August 29, 2023, lovingly surrounded by his family. He graduated from Natchez High School and went to Louisiana Tech University where he played basketball on full scholarship. He also played semi-pro football for the Twin City Panthers. Tommy was a very talented athlete and enjoyed playing sports throughout most of his life. He was a fierce competitor and loved to win, even at the family domino table. After college, Tommy went to work for Olinkraft, at which time he met the love of his life, Ruth Boles Gist at the skating rink. This December they would have celebrated 60 years of marriage and together they lovingly raised their family, Cindy, Angel, Shelley and John, in West Monroe. Tommy was a welder by trade and spent many years as the mill manager for Nelson Lumber Company. Until his retirement, he was a welding inspector, where he relished his role as “the boss.”

Big Daddy, as he is affectionately known, not just to his grandkids and family, but to his legions of friends, (well, and Tall T, Big Tom and John Thomas) liked to refer to himself as “the Jack of all trades and the master of nothing,” and lived his life by the Golden Rule. He spent most of his life in service to others, as a father, grandfather, uncle, brother and friend. His favorite roles, however, were that of husband, father and grandfather and his greatest pride and joy were his children and grandchildren. Big Daddy always had a listening ear and an encouraging word and could be found many times sitting in his chair telling stories with his famous “Tommyisms.” He was adored by his grandchildren who he followed faithfully in all their sports and activities and gave many a referee a hard time that didn’t make the right call.

With all of his life’s accomplishments, Tommy spent many years serving his beloved church, Mt. Vernon, in many capacities and especially enjoyed his service as a deacon. He was very proud of the role he played in the building of the new sanctuary. He was committed to his heavenly Father and his last conversation involved his concern that he “hadn’t done enough for the kingdom.”

The loss of our Big Daddy will be especially difficult, but his unconditional love and never-ending support will sustain us. Our family takes great comfort in knowing he is with Angel and Samuel and his family and friends who have gone before him. We are quite confident he is sitting at the foot of Jesus eating a bowl of watermelon.

Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, John Thomas Gist, Sr. and Lamay Gist, his daughter, Angel Gist, his grandson, Samuel Thomas Foust, his brother, Michael Gist, his brother-in-laws, Wayne Hendrix and J.C. Carroll and sister-in-law, Bonelle Boles.

Survivors left to cherish his memory include his wife of 59 years, Ruth Gist; his children, Cindy and Scott Foust, Shelley Hamilton and John and Sherra Gist; his grandchildren, Brittany and Sean Vines, Callie and James Matuschka, Robert Scott and Gracie Foust, Ryder Hamilton, Angel Grace Foust, Hattie Hamilton, Ivey Gist, Solina Hamilton, Halle Dru Gist, Mischa Gist and Ollie Gist; his great-grandson, Drake Vines. He is also survived by his siblings Al and Sandy Gist, Carnella Carroll, Bobby Boles and Janet Hendrix and many loving nieces, nephews and friends.

Pallbearers will be Scott Foust, Bobby Boles, Wayne Rutledge, Jerry Bailey, Jack Taylor, and his grandsons, Robert Scott Foust, Ryder Hamilton and Ivey Gist. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Bounds, Willie Smith, Jeff Lilley, and Lloyd Wade.

A very special thanks to Wayne Rutledge, Melanie Massey Physical Therapy and Elara Hospice for the loving care they provided to our beloved “Big Daddy.”

Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.

Kilpatrick Funeral Home

West Monroe, LA

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Tommy Gist, Jr., please visit our Tribute Store.