Tommy Ray Cardwell

Tommy Ray Cardwell Born 1944-2016 Viewing and Services for the loving father, son and grandfather of Tommy Ray “AKA Tomcat” Cardwell, 72, of Spring, Texas, will be held at Sunday, August 14, 2016 for friends and family viewing and the burial services Monday, August 15th at 11am in the Addison Funeral Home Chapel in Spring, Texas, with Pastor Mark Estep preforming heavenly services. Interment will follow in the Brookside Cemetery where friends and family will gather to lay Tommy Cardwell in his final resting place. Tommy Cardwell was born February 11, 1944 in Austin, Texas, The son of the late Grady M. Cardwell and Dorothy Norene Cardwell. He passed away peacefully at MD Anderson Cancer center while starring peacefully into his son Craig Cardwell and Daughter in law, Tracie Cardwell’s eyes after a yearlong battle with Leukemia and associated complications with pneumonia. Tommy “Tomcat” Cardwell was in several businesses’, primarily he spent his life as a Lead Petrochemical Advanced Senior Designer and one of the worlds premier Checkers for the refinery business for 50 plus years. He was instrumental and heavily involved in some of the world’s most complex refinery systems and advancing technology that made America a world leader in process piping and setting the world standard for this complex trade, they were coined “Pipers”, a breed of their own and a driving force in engineering world to be reckoned with on a global scale. He raved about his men he worked with, the long hours, the commitment and most importantly, the comradery of the group. He thrived in this high pressure environment and said many times. “I work with the best men in the world and so proud of my guys around me and when you get a room full of pipers on the grind hitting the OT, you can’t stop the magic of spreading the lead”. Those reading this and those who worked with him, you know exactly what that team was about. He also had a passion for playing the drums in the local music scene dating back to the days of the 60’s, playing with namesakes like Johnny and Edgar Winter, CL Weldon and The Pictures and doing recording studio work with the likes of ZZ Top and The Commodores. Like his job, he loved the people around him in the industry and made many friends along the way…. His real love was the involvement of his families ongoing mining operation in Colorado that originated in 1953, by his father and grandfather, making him a third generation Prospector and Miner of the Famed MT. Antero Bluestar claims as seen on the reality show The Prospectors. He had a passion for walking in his Dads footsteps and once again developing some of the world’s largest deposit of minerals and strategic alloys in with the world. He was adored by many in the business for creating a rockhound community based around Mt. Antero and its world class minerals for everyone to enjoy. Tommy Cardwell was a loving son, father and grandfather. Survivors include his Mother, Dorothy Austin of 88 years, Son, Craig Cardwell, Daughter in law, Tracie Cardwell, 4 grandchildren, Grand Daughter, Heather Cardwell, Grand Daughter Emma Cardwell, Grand Daughter Taylin Cardwell and Grand Son, Tommy Ray Cardwell II, AKA “Tray”. In addition, Tommy was preceded in death by his father and mentor Grady M. Cardwell. Pallbearers will be lifelong buddies, Larry and Jimmy Hunter, Ruben Reyna, Fred Riemann, Mark Haban and Arthur Iberra.

Tommy Ray Cardwell

August 9, 2016