Tommy D. Lethridge, Jr.

Tommy D. Lethridge, Jr., 79, passed away on Wednesday, September 10th, 2025. Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, September 20th, 2025, at 11 am at St. John Baptist Church. Interment will follow at the City of Lubbock Cemetery under the direction of Griffin Mortuary. Visitations will be held Friday, September 19th, 2025, from 5 pm to 7 pm at Griffin Mortuary. Tommy D. Lethridge, Jr. began his legacy on January 6, 1946 in Baileyville, Texas in Milam County. He was a precious gift from God to Tommy D. Lethridge, Sr. and Johnnie M. Williams Lethridge. His parents were inspired by the Holy Spirit to introduce Tommy to Christ and compelled him to seek a relationship with God. Tommy received his formal education in the LISD schools graduating from Dunbar High School in 1965. Tommy continued his education at Prairie View A & M University, and he graduated in 1969 with a BA degree in Industrial Arts. In January of 1970 Tommy married his high school sweetheart, Jossie Harris. To this union two children were born, Portia D. Lethridge and Kevin D. Lethridge. Tommy began his work career in the automotive industry with White Swan Foods (later became U.S. Foods) and retired from U.S. Food Service in 2008 after working 36 years.

Tommy loved fun with his family and friends. He coached adult and youth soccer teams, he was a fisherman, he was a gardener, he loved sports (an avid Dallas Cowboys fan), and he loved traveling with his family to cheer on the grandchildren. His spiritual life was parallel to his personal life. He was faithful and dedicated to his church, St. John Baptist Church. Tommy did not hesitate to serve wherever God called him to serve. He was ordained as a deacon and soon became chairman of the deacon board. He was a dedicated Sunday School superintendent and teacher, and he was an astute usher and later became president of the City-Wide Ushers.

Let us not forget however the most powerful charge and assignment God gave him that earned Tommy the “Best Church Bus Driver” medal of honor, and his dedication and tireless devotion to the youth department and St. John Baptist Church for over 45 years. Tommy was the church bus driver and he was meticulous about the care of the bus taking care of all bus maintenance from oil changes, license tags, tires, insurance, and cleaning.

Tommy is preceded in death by his father Tommy D. Lethridge, Sr., his mother Johnnie M. Lethridge, his brothers Zebbie D. Lethridge, Sr. and Jesse Lethridge, his sister Linda Lethridge-Johnson.

Those left behind to cherish his memory, his wife Jossie Harris-Lethridge, his daughter Portia D. Lethridge, his son Kevin D. Lethridge, his sister Mary Vivian Lethridge-Hollins, his brother Marvin W. Lethridge, his grandchildren Devin J. Lethridge, Devon Wright (Sierra), Corinne D. Lethridge, Selah J. Hewitt, Demetrius J. Hewitt, Jahon T. Lethridge, and Alea A. Lethridge, his great grandchildren Aria Wright and Elijah Wright. Blessed with a host of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.