George Lewis Tatum Jr.

George Lewis Tatum, age 85, of Crowley, Texas, passed away on July 13, 2026. He was born to George Lewis and Morrell Cornell Tatum on November 1, 1940, in Haskell, Texas. Though he weighed just three pounds at birth, George grew into a fine, handsome young man.

The Lord brought George Tatum and Betty McFadden together as one on May 3, 1958, and their love flourished for over 68 years. Geroge and Betty later welcomed three sons, Lewis Wayne, Michael Jay, and Larry Lynn, and a daughter, Rebecca Jean.

Dedicated to supporting his family, George worked hard to be a good provider, often taking on difficult jobs such as washing pickup trucks in freezing winter temperatures in Hereford, Texas. Eventually, George, Betty and their children moved to Grand Prairie. There, he began a career in Dallas at Mead Westvaco Corporation, where he dedicated 34 years of service as a machine adjuster and later as a group leader.

Family was the most important thing to George, and he loved taking care of them. His loved ones could always count on him for car repairs, pulling stuck vehicles out of the mud, or whatever else was needed. George was happiest when spending time with his family, whether sharing holiday dinners, playing chess or checkers, or simply talking and joking together. For many years, George and Betty also enjoyed spending time with each other, family, and close friends at Horseshoe Bend, where they camped, cooked, visited and played horseshoes. His extended family brought him immense joy as well, and he always looked forward to family reunions. In his later years, he cherished keeping in touch with his grandchildren who had moved away, frequently calling just to see how they were doing. A particularly special time in his life was when he and Betty had the joy of picking up their great-grandchildren from school, followed by time spent sitting around the table talking over cookies and ice cream.

One of George's favorite hobbies was finding items in need of repair, fixing them, and sharing them with family, friends, and neighbors. If someone was in need of a fan, a vacuum, or a small appliance, George took great pleasure in being able to provide one, always maintaining a heart for helping wherever he could.

George also loved attending church at Heritage of Faith Christian Center. Experiencing Christian fellowship, hearing the Word, and giving became a deeply meaningful part of his life.

Remaining to cherish George's memory are his loving wife, Betty Tatum' children, Mike Tatum and wife Tracy of Arlington, Texas, and Larry Lynn Tatum if Odessa, Texas; grandchildren, Jennifer Rebeccs Shivers of Godley, Texas, Casey Tatum of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, Baylee Lynn and husband Geoff Lacy of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Lane Tatum of Odessa, Texas; great-grandchildren, Tyler Shivers of Arlington, Texas, and Riley Shivers of Godley, Texas; brothers, Carl Edward Tatum of Baytown, Texas, and Eddie Pell; sisters, Shirly Mason and husband Kenneth.

Preceding George in death are his son, Lewis Wayne Tatum; daughter, Rebecca Jean Tatum Hale; great-grandson, Corey Alexander Shivers; parents, George Lewis Tatum and Morrell Cornell Pell; brothers, Bobby Dale Tatum, Richard Dean Tatum, Vernell Tatum, and Bennie Mac Tatum; and sisters, Barbara Gale Hathaway, Janice Fay Jordan, Jeanette Tatum, and Carolyn Jean Pell.