BRENHAM, Texas — Thomas Ross “Tom” Painter, age 77, of Brenham, Texas passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 27, 2024. Tom was born on July 23, 1947, in Rockland, Maine, to the late Lloyd and Constance Ross Painter. He grew up in Rockland, excelling in school and sports. On June 19, 1966, he married the late Deborah Jean “Debbie” French Painter and began a wonderful and loving life together raising their four children, Jim, Jo, Jenny and Jeff.

He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Petroleum Engineering from Marietta College in Ohio, and a Master of Science Degree in Petroleum Engineering from Louisiana State University.

Tom and Debbie’s life together was filled with love and adventure raising their kids in Ohio, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Alaska before retiring in Texas. Tom retired in 1993 as Senior Vice President and Petroleum Engineer for Conoco Oil Company after raising his family, spending summers with Debbie and their children in Penobscot Bay and winters in Texas and California sharing their love with their adult children’s families including 13 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Tom loved the theater and acting, flying his airplane, spending time with family and friends, and was an active community volunteer in Brenham, giving his time unselfishly to many civic and charitable endeavors including volunteer committees for the City of Brenham, Brenham Police Dept. Citizens on Patrol, and Habitat for Humanity.

Tom is survived by his children, James Painter and wife Melissa of Texas, Jo Anne Painter Portele and husband Jerry of Texas, Jennifer Painter Gavin and husband Sean of Ireland, Jeff Painter and wife Lisa of Colorado, step-daughter Terah Mayse Hogan and husband Jeffery of Tennessee; grandchildren, Ross and Reed Painter, Samantha and Corrine Portele, Rory, Neve, Liam and Nial Gavin, Kailey Painter Corsetti, Krista Painter Huff and McKenna Painter, Aedyn and Ashlynn Hogan; great grandchildren, Aurora, Benson, Crosby, and Salem Corsetti, Truett, Hattie, and Gracie Painter; siblings, Rod Painter and wife Kathy of Florida, Patty Painter Robertson and husband Kevin of Maine, John Painter and wife Kati of Maine; and other relatives and many friends in Maine, Texas and throughout the country.

A memorial service celebrating our father, husband, brother and dear friend’s life will be held Friday, July 25, 2025, at 1 p.m., at the Congregational Church where he and Debbie began their married life together. A private interment will be at Achorn Cemetery.

To share a memory or condolence with the Painter family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.