2008 Woodie Awards
Public Affairs director dies at 53
UST community remembers Tom Overton
Pearl Cajoles
Issue date: 4/27/07 Section: Front Page
- Page 1 of 1
|
Family, friends and colleagues remember Overton for his sense of humor, which prevailed until his last days.
Although the cancer had spread to his lungs, ribs and spine, Tom kept the twinkle in his eyes and his easy smile, his brother, James Overton, said.
Overton was born November 2, 1953 in a small clinic that later became a tax office and then a deli. He said the doctor charged $25 for his delivery.
He was the third of six children of James Young Overton and Mara Lee Angell Overton. He grew up in Cleveland, Texas, his mother's hometown.
Overton earned a bachelor's degree in journalism at North Texas State University. "He had a passion for words," his brother said. "He could bring them alive, and it drove him."
In 1978, Overton became a feature writer for the Houston Post. He stayed until 1984, when he left to become senior editor for Houston City Magazine.
In 1986, his career shifted to public relations, and he worked in supervisory positions in Houston-area companies, including the Houston Symphony Orchestra and several in the natural gas industry.
Overton was hired as UST's director of public affairs in February 2001.
For six years, he saw the University grow as he prepared and reviewed its news releases, newsletters, magazines, special publications and other media productions.
He promoted events and lectures and inspired student workers with his talent and his love of the written word.
His professionalism impressed his colleagues, many of whom remember the quality of his work and his zest.
"As a professional, he had wonderful, clear and concise writing," UST President Robert Ivany said. "As a person, he had infectious good humor."
Overton led the Office of Public Affairs for as long as his illness allowed, working despite the harsh effects of treatment.
"They pay me to read and write and tell stories," he once told his brother. "It doesn't get any better than that."
But more than the written word, he loved his wife, Judy and their two sons, Nathan Thomas and Matthew Ryan.
He met Judy in 1977 in Wichita Falls, where he was a reporter for the Record News, his first professional newspaper job before the Houston Post. She was a broadcast journalist for Channel 6 News.
They married in 1981 and for more than three decades, shared a life devoted to their children and their faith.
"Tom had a will to live that was Herculean," his brother said. "He faced life and death with hope, humor and a deep, abiding faith."
Along with his wife, two sons and brother, Overton is survived by his sisters Merrell Overton, Genelle Overton, Joy Pennington and her husband Barry.
He also leaves behind several aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great nephews and many friends.
The University of St. Thomas will remember Overton with a memorial Mass at 2 p.m. April 27 at the Chapel of St. Basil.