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Tommy Joe Vandergriff
Carrollton &
Farmers Branch
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LETTER TO SANTA Dear Santa Claus: -
I am a little boy three years old and I have been a good little boy so
want you to please bring me a tricycle, a little rocking chair, and a
foot ball, also if I'm not asking too much please bring me a bath robe
and house shoes. Don't forget all the other little boys and girls and
especially, Santa, my little cousin Margaret, way out in West Texas. Now
I'll be good and will be looking for you.
Tommie Joe Vandergriff
The Carrollton Chronicle, Friday, December 21, 1928 |
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NEWS
ARTICLE TOMMY VANDERGRIFF HOME AFTER TOUR
AS M. C. IN BOND RALLIES
Tommy Vandergriff, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Vandergriff of
Arlington, former residents of Carrollton, was featured as Master of
Ceremonies and dramatic headliner during the Fourth War Loan Drive for a
troupe of young entertainers touring Pacific cities in the
interest of War Bond Sales.
Many of the boys and girls in the troupe have appeared in such well
known screen hits as MGMs "Best Foot Forward."
In the later stages of the Drive two appearances of the group sold
$336,000 in War Bonds.
Tommy, studying at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles
where he is also a student instructor, is engaged as announcer for the
California Congress of Parents and Teachers in their weekly program over
KRKD, Los Angeles. A few weeks ago he was also asked to write the
Pacific radio feature, "Our American Heritage."
Tommy has been repeatedly sought by Columbia Broadcasting System to
appear for them as announcer, and offerd to make arrangements whereby
his work wouldn't interfere with his studies, but due to his Selective
Service Classification, Tommy could not accept their offer.
Tommy arrived home at 5:30 Saturday for a week's visit with his family
and friends, and Sunday Mrs. Vandergriff, Ginger and Tommy were in
Carrollton visiting Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Squibb and other friends here.
Also visiting in the Squibb home Sunday were Mrs. Ralph Noble and
children of Dallas, who came over to spend the day and be with the
Vandergriffs, whom they have known for several years.
The Carrollton Chronicle - Friday, March 3, 1944 |
OBITUARY
Tommy Joe Vandergriff, also known as Tom J. Vandergriff was born in Carrollton,
Texas on January 29, 1926. His family relocated to Arlington when he was only 11
years old. At the age of 16, one of his first jobs was as a radio announcer for
KFJZ Radio in Fort Worth.
A graduate of Arlington High School in 1943, Vandergriff left North Texas to
pursue his studies in broadcast journalism at the University of Southern
California. In 1949, he met and married Anna Waynette Smith and to this union
four children were born.
Vandergriff soon returned to Arlington, and in 1951, made a run for public
office and was elected Mayor. One of his first accomplishments was the
groundbreaking for the new General Motors Assembly Plant in 1962, which paved
the way for jobs and a better economy for the city.
Two years later, in 1954, voters approved a bond package to construct Lake
Arlington. It filled in eight days and served as the city’s main water supply
for 25 years.
In 1957, the final development stages for the Great Southwest District began,
the Turnpike opened and Arlington Memorial Hospital was established. In 1959,
Arlington State College gained its four-year status.
Click To Enlarge
Under his leadership as Mayor, the city’s tourism industry flourished with the
arrival of Six Flags Over Texas in 1961 followed by the opening of the Arlington
Municipal Airport in 1964 and Turnpike Stadium in 1965. Arlington College became
a part of the UTA system in 1965. Seven Seas Marine Park opened in 1972 and
major league baseball made its debut with the Texas Rangers in 1972.
Following a long and successful 26-year stint as Mayor, Vandergriff announced
his resignation from the Arlington City Council in January 1977. During this
time, the city’s population grew from just 7,700 people to 125,000 residents.
In 1983, he answered a higher calling in public service and was elected the U.S.
House of Representatives to represent District 26. He served on numerous state
committees, including the Public Works and Transportation Aviation Committee,
Small Business Committee and Committee on Aging.
His local service continued as an active member of the North Central Texas
Council of Governments Regional Transportation Council. In 1991, Vandergriff
devoted his time to a campaign to build a new stadium for the Texas Rangers,
which opened in 1994 as the Ballpark in Arlington. In 1991, he was honored to be
inducted into the Texas Rangers Baseball Hall of Fame.
In 1991, he was elected Tarrant County Judge and served there until his
retirement in 2007.
In honor of his service to the city, many places have been named in his honor.
Some of them include:
• Vandergriff Park (named after family)-2800 S. Center Street. Displays the 30
foot tall blue “V” that was the landmark of Vandergriff Chevrolet and sat at the
corner of Collins & Division Streets for 30 years.
• Vandergriff statue in city hall building
• Vandergriff statue located in Vandergriff Plaza at the Ballpark in Arlington
(unveiled in 1997)
• Vandergriff Building- known as the Historic V- 255 North Center Street
• Vandergriff Town Center- 200 N. Mesquite Street
• Tom Vandergriff Surgical Tower-Arlington Memorial Hospital
• Tom Vandergriff Way-street next to the GM plant, off Abram
• North Central Texas Council of Governments Conference center named Tom
Vandergriff conference center
His dedication to service continued until his death on December 30, 2010.
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Burial: Moore Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Arlington, Tarrant County, Texas,
USA
Plot: Garden of the Good Shepherd, 95 - C, Sp 1
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Notes:
- Husband of Anna Waynette (Smith) Vandergriff; Son of William Thomas
Vandergriff & Charles Pleasant (Mayes) Vandergriff
- www.FindAGrave.com
Memorial #63569877
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