James Thomas “Tommy” Head, age 79 of Henrietta, passed away on October 19, 2024.
Tommy was born on June 4, 1945, in Robertson County, as the oldest of five children to Richard and Hazel Albright Head.
A graduate of Clarksville High School and a basketball standout, he received his associate degree from Cumberland College before graduating from Austin Peay State University with a BS in mathematics in 1967. He was inducted into the Austin Peay Hall of Fame in 1997. In 2001, APSU honored him by dedicating the Tommy Head Atrium as part of the Sundquist Science Complex.
Tommy was elected to represent District 68 in the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1986 and served for nine terms. While in the House, he served as chair of the House Finance, Ways and Means committee among other appointments.
After a short stint as a high school math teacher and basketball coach, he owned and operated a utility contracting business and farm. A lifelong member of Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church, he devoted himself to his community and family. He was an avid golfer and loved supporting APSU basketball and the University of Tennessee basketball and football.
He married Deloris (Brown) Head in 1966, who preceded him in death in April 2021. He is also preceded in death by his parents Richard and Hazel Head, his brothers Kenneth and Charles Head, and his sister Pat Head Summitt. He is survived by his sons Derrick (Jennifer) and David (Traci), his grandson Connor, his sister Linda, and many nephews and nieces.
Funeral services will be held at Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Pleasant View on Thursday, October 24, at 1:00 pm. with Richie Head, Austin Douglas, Brandon Douglas, Billy LeVan, Johnny Head, Keith Head, David Welch, and Dan Cooper serving as pallbearers. Visitation will be at Austin Bell Funeral Home in Pleasant View on Wednesday, October 23, from 4:00PM until 8:00PM and again on Thursday from 12 noon until the hour of service at 1:00PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Mt. Carmel Cemetery Fund (425 Mt. Carmel Rd, Clarksville, TN 37043) or the Pat Summitt Foundation (520 W. Summit Hill Drive, Ste. 1101, Knoxville, TN 37902).
The funeral service will be livestreamed at www.youtube@austinbellofpleasantview3266
AUSTIN & BELL FUNERAL HOME in Pleasant View is in charge of these arrangements.
