Thomas Jewell Upchurch, Jr.

Thomas “Tom” Jewell Upchurch, Jr., affectionately known as “Red Bird,” passed away peacefully on December 14, 2025 at his home with his loyal companion and collie, Scotch, by his side.

Private services were held by the family.

Tom was born on October 12, 1935 in Magnolia, Arkansas. He lived a full and wonderful life. Growing up in Amarillo, Tom attended Horace Mann Middle School and Amarillo High School graduating in 1954 where he was a standout in academics and track and field. After graduating from Amarillo High School, Tom went to Texas A&M University where he served in the Corps of Cadets and rose to the rank of Company Commander. Throughout his years at Texas A&M, Tom received numerous awards for his service including the Daughters of American Revolution award, which he received in Houston, Texas. After graduating from Texas A&M in 1958, Tom went on to serve in the U.S. Army in Texas, Alaska, and California. During Tom’s military service he was involved with the Nike Hercules Missile Program. Tom liked to recall that while he was in the military in California, the U.S. Army servicemen would work as “extras” in various Western movies and television shows.

After an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, Tom went to SMU law school in Dallas. After graduating from law school Tom began his long and distinguished career as a lawyer working with the Law Offices of Charles Tessmer where he met his wife, Judith “Judy” Ann Hanner Upchurch. Tom loved nicknames and affectionately called his wife “Big Chicken.” Shortly thereafter, Tom and Judy moved to Amarillo, Texas where Tom established a very successful law office. Tom and Judy had three beautiful daughters – twins, Karen Upchurch Isern (“Miss Chicken”) and Lucy Diane Upchurch (“Miss E Le Chick”), and Laurie Upchurch Ricks (“Toots Feathers”). Tom spent his career helping people with worker’s compensation, labor, personal injury, family law, criminal and chemical exposure cases. In fact, at the age of 27, Tom served as general counsel for the Texas AFL-CIO representing over 40,000 members. Tom created a thriving legal practice with Jay Harvey (“Rabbit”), Ben Reina (“Dr. R”), Doug Woodburn (“Murgatroid”), Steve Scott (“Red”), Buddy Wright (“Buddy Brightlights”), John Scott (“Polar Bear”), Kevin Isern (“Egg Nog”), Steve Ricks (“Sticks”), Ernie Climer (“Lurch”) and Doug Murphy (“Slug”) working by his side. During his law practice, Tom especially loved traveling to Dallas, Los Angeles, and The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.

After his wife, Judy, passed away in 1999, Tom spent several more years practicing law and then, after 65 years practicing law, Tom retired to the home he loved in Bishop Hills. After retirement, Tom settled into watching lots of NFL football, Texas A&M football, war movies and numerous Western movies and television shows hoping to catch a glimpse of himself as an “extra.”

Tom changed many lives during his long successful career as a lawyer, and he will be missed by many. Of all of the many personal and professional accomplishments in his life, he loved practicing law, representing people and his wife and daughters above all else. Tom was 90 years old when he passed away and was preceded in death by his wife, Judy, and numerous animals that he cherished. Tom is survived by his 3 daughters* – Karen Upchurch Isern and her husband, Kevin Isern and their children, Madison Claire Isern (“Birdie”), and Spencer Upchurch Isern (“Mr. Spence”), Lucy Diane Upchurch, Laurie Upchurch Ricks and her husband, Steve Ricks and their daughter, Ellen Ricks (“Ellie”).

*His daughters would like to thank, with grateful hearts, Dr. George Marck, Dr. Brendon Albracht and the amazing caregivers with Interim Hospice, Trustwell Senior Living, Ruby Slippers, and Vitality Home Health Care.