Thomas Ray Beddow was born on February 14, 1942 in Wichita Falls, Texas to Vivian Marie and W.A. Bill Beddow. There he was raised with his younger sister, Barbara Jean. Following his father's death, when Tommy was 9 years old, his grandparents Tom and Lucille Singleton were essential in his upbringing.  He graduated as Valedictorian of his class from Newcastle High School in Newcastle, Texas in 1960, where he was also named all-conference in basketball and track and played on the football team. Upon graduation, he enrolled in Midwestern State University, in Wichita Falls, where he majored in Biology, minored in Geology, and most importantly, where he met his wife, Tommie, his sophomore year.  He was a member of Beta Beta Beta, a collegiate honor society for Biology students, and a member of the ROTC, attaining the rank of Corps Commander.  Tommy also competed on Midwestern's Rodeo Team.  Shortly after graduating from Midwestern with a Bachelors of Science degree, Tommy Ray and Tommie Jean were married on June 12 ^th, 1964 in Kennedale, Texas.  They were married for 57 years.

Following graduation, he was commissioned as a first lieutenant in the Army and reached the rank of Captain. He was a paratrooper and a platoon leader until his term was completed in 1966. Tom and Tommie then moved to his family's farm near Stonewall, Oklahoma, and he continued to serve in the reserves for six years. While raising his family, he spent the majority of his life as a rancher and a self-employed welder. His welding was primarily in the oilfield, where he developed a love for oilfield workers. Near the end of his welding career, he took a leap of faith, accepting a two-year job with Parker Drilling across the globe in Kazakhstan.  In each of his travels to Kazakhstan, he would always make sure to pack Bibles to distribute to the Kazakhstan people. Upon returning in 1993, he decided to pursue a counseling degree focusing on Marriage and Family.  Tom graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University's Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy program at the top of his class, becoming a very skilled grief counselor.

He spent the next 10 years as Staff Counselor at First Baptist Church McAlester. While the Murrah Building bombing trial was taking place in McAlester, Tom was instrumental in ministering to and counseling the survivors and their families in attendance.  Following his tenure at FBC McAlester, he continued his ministry by developing the oilfield chaplaincy with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. He served as chaplain in that ministry and trained others to be chaplains for about 20 years. He was a loyal volunteer and trainer with the BGCO's disaster relief organization and helped in numerous disasters in and out of state.

Though he was an ordained minister, most of his teaching was by example, in how he lived his life in service and devotion to Christ and others.  His love for his family was unmatched and unwavering.  His love for all others was just as deep.  He met everyone where they were, and loved them no matter where that was.

Thomas Ray Beddow passed from this life at the age of 79 on Saturday, December 18, 2021 in Ada, Oklahoma.  He is survived by his wife, Tommie, of the home; one son, Kenneth and his wife, Elisabeth of Pauls Valley; one daughter Kelli Barrowman and her husband David, of Ada; one sister, Barbara Huffsmith of Cape Hays, Florida; five grandchildren Stephen Miller and wife, Paige, of Oklahoma City, Mar Miller of Noble; Julia, Luke and Zachary Beddow of Pauls Valley.

He was preceded in death by his parents.