Roll Call Tribute

Thomas Allen "Tommy" Lenarduzzi 

July 9, 1949 - September 6, 2024 

Dr. Thomas Allen Lenarduzzi passed away September 6, 2024, in Hernando, MS, due to health complications from Parkinson’s Disease. Tommy was born July 9, 1949, in Houston, TX, to Camilio and Emilie Lenarduzzi. While working as a teen on the family cattle farm in nearby Manvel, TX, Tommy developed a deep passion for taking care of God’s creatures, great and small. Thus, it was no surprise that, after graduating from Austin High School, Tommy enrolled at Texas A & M University, determined to secure a degree in veterinary medicine. It was at Texas A & M that Tommy met his beloved wife, Barbara. After graduating from Texas A & M School of Veterinary Medicine in 1972, Tommy and Barbara spent the next 40-plus years building and operating veterinary clinics in Houston and Shiner, Texas, and subsequently in Starkville, MS.

All Tommy’s patients were extremely important to him (although it was the little puppies he most enjoyed), and spending time visiting with their owners was particularly satisfying to him. Tommy took great pleasure and pride in sharing his knowledge and experience, spending many years instructing future veterinarians, and conducting research at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Tommy touched the lives of thousands through his work.

As much as Tommy enjoyed practicing and teaching veterinary medicine, cattle farming, and gardening, most of all he loved spending time with his family, especially his four grandchildren. Tommy shared his joy, and will be remembered for his caring and generous heart, easy laugh, and grace. Tommy was always kind, seeing the good in people and life. His favorite saying was “Be like the leaf floating on the river.” His gentle, friendly spirit will be deeply missed.

In addition to his wife, Barbara, Tommy is survived by their daughters Christina (DeLaughter) of Hernando, MS, and Jogee (Detchemendy) of Little Rock, AR, and four grandchildren. Also surviving Tommy are his fraternal twin brother, Dr. James Lenarduzzi, of Beeville, TX, and older brother Dr. Roland “Lanny” Lenarduzzi, of Alvin, TX.

Tommy was a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Starkville, MS. A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 14, 2024, 10:00 a.m., Scott Funeral Home, Alvin, TX; burial to follow at Manvel Cemetery, Manvel, TX.

Memorial gifts can be made to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Memphis, TN.