Thomas H. Abney

Thomas H. Abney, known to family and friends as Toby, passed away peacefully at Buckner Westminster Place on Friday, February 16, 2024 at the age of 94. Toby was born on May 21,1929 in Shreveport, Louisiana. After graduating from Centenary College in 1951, Toby went to work for Southwestern Electric Power Company. During his 41 year career with SWEPCO, Toby obtained his degree from the Industrial Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma and began working full time in SWEPCO’s economic development program.

In 1986, Toby was named SWEPCO’s district manager in Mt. Pleasant, where he served until his retirement in 1992. After retiring from SWEPCO, Toby was appointed Executive Director of the Mt. Pleasant Industrial Foundation and served in this position for eight years. Among his many accomplishments in this role, Toby was instrumental in the creation of a new regional airport for the Mt. Pleasant area. Upon returning to Longview in 2000, Toby worked another five years at the Northeast Texas Workforce Center.

In addition to his work with SWEPCO and the Industrial Foundation, Toby assumed many responsibilities in the community. While in Longview, he served as a board member and also president of the YMCA, as well as Chair of the Longview Community Development Team. Other activities in Longview included serving as a board member of the Longview United Way, American Heart Association, LeTourneau College Associates and First United Methodist Church and was an ex-officio member of the Longview Chamber of Commerce board. During his fourteen years in Mt. Pleasant, Toby served on the boards of First National Bank and Northeast Texas Industrial Development Council. He was also a board member and president of the Titus County Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, while in Mt. Pleasant, Toby became a Paul Harris Fellow, served on the Titus County Tax Appraisal board, and was president of the Mt. Pleasant Rotary Club. Upon his return to Longview in 2000, Toby was a faithful volunteer at the Longview Cancer Center for many years.

With faith being an important cornerstone of his life, Toby joined First Methodist Church in Shreveport at age six, and in later years served as an usher and board member there. He was also a member of St. Andrew Methodist Church while in Mt. Pleasant and was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church in Longview where he served on the board and as an usher for many years.

Toby married his beloved Eleanor in 1977, and they enjoyed 45 happy years together until her death in 2022. Left to cherish his memory are his sons, David (Pam) Abney, Brian (Melissa) Abney, Tommy Ray Abney, and Tommy (Priscilla) Eaker; grandchildren Austin (Andrea) Abney, Cody (Taylor) Abney, Brooke and Blake Abney, Ashley Abney and brother J.T., Ryan (Melissa) Eaker, and Andrew (Leiha) Eaker; great grandchildren Shane, Layla, Avaleigh, and Owen Abney, and Ava and Lela Eaker.

Visitation for family and friends will be Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 1:00 at Rader Funeral Home, with funeral services officiated by Pastor Jay Jackson following at 2:00.

Toby will be remembered as a man of great faith and integrity who was kind and generous beyond measure with those he loved, especially his family. He will be greatly missed. The family would like to especially thank Dr. Helen Daniel for her many years of attentive and compassionate care, along with the caregivers from Buckner, Highland Park Home Health, Visiting Angels, and Hospice Plus. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice.

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