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Created page with "'''Thomas H. Abraham,''' known as '''Tom Abraham''' (December 8, 1910 – February 8, 2007),<ref name=findagrave>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?pa..."
'''Thomas H. Abraham,''' known as '''Tom Abraham''' (December 8, 1910 – February 8, 2007),<ref name=findagrave>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=17867348|title=Thomas H. "Tom" Abraham|publisher=findagrave.com|accessdate=September 19, 2014}}</ref> was a [[Lebanon|Lebanese]]-born [[American]] businessman and philanthropist in the city of Canadian in Hemphill County, [[Texas]]. Canadian has been called "an [[oasis]] on the High Plains of the [[Texas Panhandle]].
Abraham was born in Kafarakab, Lebanon, to Nahim Malouf Abraham (1885-1965) and Alia Abdullah Bulos Malouf Abraham (1883-1969). He was reared in Canadian, at which he arrived with his parents and older brother in 1913, five years after Canadian was incorporated.<ref name=hcbook/> Nahim and Alia Abraham insisted that their children remember the family roots in Lebanon, which they continued to visit when possible. The couple sent money to help poor relatives in Lebanon or to build a community church or school there.<ref name=textechbus/> In 1928, Tom Abraham graduated from Canadian High School.<ref name=obit>{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/020907/obi_020907080.shtml|title=Tom Abraham|publisher=''Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|date=February 9, 2007|accessdate=September 19, 2014}}</ref><ref name=rvmuseum>{{cite web|url=http://www.rivervalleymuseum.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=152:tom-abraham-merchant&catid=37:commerce-history&Itemid=262|title=Tom Abraham, Merchant|publisher=River Valley Pioneer Museum|accessdate=September 21, 2014}}</ref>
===Abraham family and Tech University===
In 1932, Abraham graduated from [[Texas Tech University]] in Lubbock, at which he played on the [[Texas Tech Red Raiders]] [[college football|football]] team and was the business manager of ''The Daily Toreador'', the college student newspaper. He helped to launch the Texas Tech Red Raiders Club and was part of the commission which created the Texas Tech Dad's Association, since renamed the Texas Tech Association of Parents. At the time of his death, Abraham was believed to have been the oldest living Texas Tech letterman.<ref name=obit/><ref name=rvmuseum/> In 1981, both Tom and Malouf Abraham were named "Distinguished Alumni" of Texas Tech. Tom Abraham was the first Texas Tech graduate to have received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the institution. In 1981, a $5,000 annual scholarship was established in his honor by his brother, Malouf Abraham, Sr. (1915-1994), and sister-in-law, Iris Lewis Abraham (1918-2001).<ref>"Abraham Brothers Honored by Texas Tech", ''Canadian Record'', September 24, 1981, p. 14.</ref> The Tom Abraham Graduate Fellowship began with a $65,000 initial donation. More than a dozen of the Hemphill County Abrahams attended or graduated from Texas Tech, as did Tom Abraham's two daughters and son.<ref name=textechbus>"Three Generations of Abrahams Attend Texas Tech", ''Texas Tech Business'', Winter 1984, pp. 14-15.</ref>
<blockquote>
'''Tom Abraham believes in America. He believes that man's duty is to leave the world better than he found it. During all his life, he has been active in civic affairs, to the betterment of his community and the nation.''' - [[Freedoms Foundation]], [[Valley Forge]], [[Pennsylvania]], 1980</blockquote>
===Merchant, father and son===
After graduation from Texas Tech, Abraham worked in the dry goods business in Paducah in Cottle County south of Childress, Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.library.unt.edu/tdnp/2014/05/20/15/|title=An Historical Preservation Effort That Will Live in Perpetuity|publisher=''The Paducah (Texas) Post''|date=May 20, 2014|author=Ana Krahmer|accessdate=September 22, 2014}}</ref> On April 28, 1935, he married his neighbor, the former Helen Ferguson (August 7, 1915 – February 11, 2008). A native of Merkel near [[Abilene, Texas|Abilene]] in Taylor County, Texas, Helen was the daughter of Frank Ferguson and the former Maude Hill.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/021508/obi_247110470.shtml|title=Helen Abraham|publisher=''Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|date=February 15, 2008|accessdate=September 19, 2014}}</ref> After their marriage, Tom and Helen moved to Canadian to work in his father's [[department store]] called "The Fair Store", a business which opened in 1913, only five years after Canadian was incorporated, and was once known throughout the Panhandle for its high-quality merchandise. After Nahim retired, Tom and Helen became the owners of the business in 1949.<ref name="digital.utsa.edu"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=48065904|title=Nahim Abraham (1885-1965)|publisher=findagrave.com|accessdate=September 20, 2014}}</ref> Tom Abraham also held three [[oil]] and [[natural gas]] leases in adjoining Lipscomb County in the far northeastern corner of the Panhandle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.texas-drilling.com/lipscomb-county/leases|title=Oil and Gas Leases in Lipscomb County|publisher=texas-drilling.com|accessdate=September 21, 2014}}</ref>
===Edward Abraham Memorial Home===
The Abrahams together established the Edward Abraham Memorial Home,<ref name=obit/> a nursing facility in Canadian, which is named for the youngest of the Abraham sons, businessman Edward Abraham (1917-1961).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=48392146|title=Edward Abraham|publisher=findagrave.com|accessdate=September 20, 2014}}</ref> When he died suddenly of a [[Myocardial infarction|heart attack]] at the age of forty-four, Edward Abraham, who had been in the jewelry, restaurant, and real estate businesses in Canadian,<ref>"Eddie Abraham victim of heart attack Tuesday", ''Canadian Record'', October 26, 1961, pp. 1, 9.</ref> had been working to establish a community-sponsored nursing home. With a $50,000 initial contribution from the Abraham family,<ref>"$50,000 given for rest home: Abraham family invites community to match gifts", ''Canadian Record'', December 16, 1961, p. 4.</ref> a federal grant, and other funds raised by the community, the facility opened in 1964 with thirty-seven beds; by 1974, the capacity had increased to care for fifty-eight persons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eamemorialhome.org/?page_id=51|title=About Us - Edward Abraham Memorial Home|publisher=eamemorialhome.org|accessdate=September 21, 2014}}</ref>
In 1975, the home had financial problems, a matter believed related to [[inflation]] and the failure of the Abrahams to seek community donations: "I think we've been a little to bashful about asking for help," said Tom Abraham.<ref>"Inflation and slow pay: Memorial Home in financial bind", ''Canadian Record'', January 16, 1975, p. 16.</ref> In June 1975, Tom Abraham, representing his family, was honored in [[Houston, Texas|Houston]] by the Texas Association of Homes for the Aging for the Abraham family's commitment to the Edward Abraham Home.<ref>"Abraham family cited", ''Canadian Record'', June 26, 1975, p. 14.</ref>
===Organizations===
Tom Abraham was a member of Rotary International,<ref>"Career clinic draws top faculty", ''Canadian Record'', May 3, 1962, p. 19.</ref> the [[Masonic lodge]],<ref name=obit/>[[Shriners]],<ref>"Shriners enjoy banquet here Friday evening", ''Hemphill County News'', February 24, 1953, p. 1.</ref>[[United Way of America]],<ref>"Hemphill United Fund Goal", October 9, 1980, ''Canadian Record'', p. 24.</ref> the [[March of Dimes]],<ref>"President's Ball", ''Hemphill County News'', January 30, 1942, p. 4.</ref> the [[Boy Scouts of America]]<ref>"Boy Scouts reorganize", ''Hemphill County News'', June 9, 1939, p. 1.</ref> and the youth-mentoring group, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.<ref>''Canadian Record'', September 26, 1956, p. 1.</ref> was a volunteer at the River Valley Pioneer Museum, established in Canadian in 1986.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.openisbn.com/preview/073857113X/|title=Images of America: Hemphill County|publisher=Arcadia Publishing Company|location=[[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston]], [[South Carolina]]|date=21009|author=Susan Owens Caudle and River Valley Pioneer Museum|pages=112|isbn=9780738571133|accessdate=September 21, 2014}}</ref> He was the auctioneer for the Women Service League.<ref>"Women's Service League", ''Canadian Record'', May 4, 1978, p. 24.</ref> The Abraham Trophy, which was frequently presented by Tom Abraham, is awarded annually to the "most outstanding" eighth grade student in Canadian.<ref>"Junior High graduation Thursday", ''Canadian Record'', May 27, 1976, p. 8.</ref>
Abraham received "Man of the Year"<ref name=obit/> designation from the Canadian-Hemphill County [[Chamber of Commerce]] and served as president more than once<ref>"Junior Livestock Show Saturday: 4-H Club and FFA Boys to compete", ''Canadian Record'', January 6, 1955, p. 1.</ref><ref>"Annual C of C Banquet Saturday night", ''Canadian Record'', January 16, 1975, p. 4.</ref> and on committees of the organization, such as Highways and Lake Marvin, an artificial lake in Hemphill County established for recreation, flood control, soil conservation, wildlife protection.<ref>"Chamber of Commerce committees are appointed for year 1960", ''Canadian Record'', December 31, 1959, p. 1.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rol52|title=Lake Marvin|publisher=tshaonline.org|accessdate=September 28, 2014}}</ref> In 1979, Abraham was presented the "Key to the City" award by then Mayor George Arrington.<ref>''Canadian Record'', May 10, 1979, p. 15.</ref>
[[Image:First Presbyterian Church, Canadian, TX IMG 6082.JPG|200px|right|thumb|The Abrahams was instrumental in the construction of the original [[Presbyterian Church in the United States|Presbyterian Church]] in Canadian, [[Texas]].]]
Tom Abraham was a member of the Hemphill County Appraisal Board, established effective January 1, 1982. The board determines uniform [[property tax]] assessment rates for all taxing bodies in the county.<ref>"Five men elected to new appraisal board", ''Canadian Record'', November 26, 1981, p. 12.</ref>
Abraham was a superintendent of worship<ref>"Presbyterian Church", ''Hemphill County News'', February 9, 1940, p. 4</ref> and later instrumental in building the original sanctuary of his church, the First [[Presbyterian Church]] in Canadian.<ref name=obit/>
===Patriotic honors===
During [[World War II]], Tom Abraham was co-chairman of the United War Chest in Hemphill County.<ref>''Hemphill County News'', October 15, 1943, p. 1.</ref> Years later, he received the Americanism Award from the [[Daughters of the American Revolution]], an honor given only to [[immigrant]]s who helped other immigrants obtain United States citizenship.<ref>"DAR gives medal to Tom Abraham", ''Canadian Record'', May 10, 1979, p. 14.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.landsoftexas.com/County-Data-For-Hemphill-County-Texas|title=County Data for Hemphill County, Texas|publisher=landsoftexas.com|accessdate=September 25, 2014}}</ref> In 1976, he chaired the Hemphill County [[wikt:bicentennial|Bicentennial]] Commission.<ref>"Standing ovation for Bicentennial Special by crowd of over 300", ''Canadian Record'', April 15, 1976, p. 15.</ref><ref>"Bells will ring here on Fourth of July", ''Canadian Record'', July 1, 1976, p. 4.</ref> In 1979, then Canadian Mayor George Arrington presented Abraham with the "Key to the City".<ref>"Mayor George Arrington presents the symbolic 'Key to the City' to Tom Abraham", ''Canadian Record'', May 10, 1979, p. 15.</ref>
In February 1980, Abraham received the "Encased George Washington Honor Medal" from [[Freedoms Foundation]] in [[Valley Forge]], [[Pennsylvania]].<ref>"Tom Abraham accepts Encased George Washington Honor Medal", ''Canadian Record'', February 28, 1980, p. 21.</ref> He received a [[telegram]] two months earlier on the day of his mother's funeral notifying him of his selection.<ref>"Tom Abraham to receive Freedoms Foundation award, ''Canadian Record'', December 6, 1979, pp. 1, 17.</ref> Abraham's citation reads: "Tom Abraham believes in America. He believes that man's duty is to leave the world better than he found it. During all his life, he has been active in civic affairs, to the betterment of his community and the nation." Honored along with Abraham were [[U.S. Senator]] [[Jake Garn]] of [[Utah]], former actress and U.S. Ambassador [[Shirley Temple|Shirley Temple Black]], [[actor]] [[James Stewart]], and singer [[John Denver]].<ref>"Tom Abraham to be honored by Freedoms Foundation Feb. 22", ''Canadian Record'', February 14, 1980, p. 19.</ref>
===The Republican Abrahams===
Abraham's, brother Malouf Abraham, Sr., named for the original family surname, was a wealthy oil and natural gas developer and philanthropist who was [[mayor]] of Canadian from 1953 to 1957, and a [[Republican]] member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1967 to 1971. His nephew Malouf Abraham, Jr., is a retired Canadian, Texas, [[physician]] with specialty in [[Allergy|allergies]] and an active [[patron of the arts]]. His niece by marriage, Therese Browne Abraham, was mayor of Canadian from 1981<ref>"City elects first woman mayor", ''Canadian Record'', April 9, 1981, p. 6.</ref> to 1991. All of the Abrahams became Republicans and were generous donors to the party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/elec/elec-CANADIAN-TX.html|title=CANADIAN, Texas (TX) Political Contributions by Individuals|publisher=city-data.com|accessdate=September 19, 2014}}</ref>
In 1953, Tom Abraham attended a dinner in Pampa in which Republican [[U.S. Representative]] [[Walter Judd]] of [[Minnesota]] addressed post-[[Korean War]] foreign policy issues during the [[Cold War]].<ref>"Knife and Fork Club", ''Hemphill County News'', September 24, 1953, p. 1.</ref> In 1976, Abraham was the Hemphill County chairman for [[Ronald Reagan]]'s insurgent intraparty challenge to [[U.S. President]] [[Gerald R. Ford, Jr.]]<ref>"Support a Real Leader" (advertisement), ''Canadian Record'', April 29, 1976, p. 19.</ref> In 1978, Abraham was elected in a [[write-in]] vote to succeed Royce Jones as the Hemphill County Republican chairman.<ref>"Only 24 Republican casts in primary" in Hemphill County, ''Canadian Record'', May 11, 1978, p. 11.</ref> In 1980, he was the Hemphill County chairman for the [[Ronald Reagan|Reagan]]-[[George H. W. Bush|Bush]] ticket.<ref>Reagan-Bush advertisement, ''Canadian Record'', October 9, 1980, p. 13.</ref>
===Tom Abraham's death and legacy===
Tom Abraham died of lengthy complications from a stroke in the Hemphill County Hospital in Canadian. In addition to his wife, he was survived by three children, Donna A. Stainback of Greenville, Texas, Kenneth "Ken" Abraham and his wife, Renee Abraham, of Lubbock, and Kay A. Brown and her husband, Terry Brown, of Canadian; nine grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, all three brothers, and a son-in-law, Raiford Hammond Stainback, Jr.<ref name=obit/>
Two of Abraham's minister-granddaughters, Ashley A. Hood and Kari Stainback, officiated at his funeral, which was held in the First Christian Church of Canadian. Tom and Helen Abraham are interred in the Edith Ford Cemeteries in Canadian.<ref name=obit/> Abraham family gravestones mention their origin in Kafarakab but the spelling used is "Kafrakab", without the "a" after the "f." The [[Texas State Historical Association]] in an article on Nahim Abraham also uses "Kafrakab".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fab10|title=Nahim Abraham|publisher=tshaonline.org|accessdate=September 20, 2014}}</ref>
[[Image:Tom Abraham grave marker, Canadian, TX IMG 6101.JPG|175px|right|thumb|Tom Abraham grave in the Edith Ford Cemeteries in Canadian, Texas]]
Tom Abraham's obituary reads that he was known for his kindness to others.<ref name=obit/> He was included in the group "Seven Who Care" from [[KVII-TV]] in [[Amarillo, Texas|Amarillo]]. In 1992, the ''[[Amarillo Globe News]]'' in a feature article referred to him, accordingly: "[[Santa Claus]] is alive and giving in Canadian."<ref name=findagrave/> The ''Canadian Record'' reported at Christmas 1960 that the Abrahams had placed a giant Santa Claus in their front yard.<ref>Nancy Ezzell, "Many Canadian homes reflect Christmas spirit in bright lights", ''Canadian Record'', December 22, 1960, p. 5.</ref>
In the 1985 book ''Hemphill County History'', Abraham describes his fellow citizens of Canadian as having pride, purpose, and determination: "I know Canadian folks - they just don't give up."<ref name=hcbook>{{cite web|url=http://www.canadiantx.org/index.php/component/content/article/12-living-in-canadian/3-living-in-canadian.pdf|title=Living in Canadian|publisher=canadiantx.org|accessdate=September 21, 2014}}</ref>
On February 9, 2006, a year before his death, Abraham was interviewed by the Southwest Collection at Texas Tech University. In this oral history conducted by David Marshall, Abraham discusses his life, career, and education at Texas Tech.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://collections.swco.ttu.edu/jspui/handle/10605/1590|title=Tom Abraham Oral History Interview|publisher=Southwest Collections of Texas Tech University|accessdate=September 21, 2014}}</ref><ref>Further information on Tom Abraham can be accessed through The Portal to Texas History, which will connect with newspaper articles, particularly the ''Canadian Record'' and the ''Hemphill County News''.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth136591/m1/12/?q=Tom+ Abraham|title=The Portal to Texas History: Tom Abraham|publisher=texashistoryunt.edu|accessdate=September 23, 2014}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Abraham, Tom}}
[[Category:Lebanon]]
[[Category:Texas]]
[[Category:Republicans]]
[[Category:Conservatives]]
[[Category:Presbyterians]]
[[Category:Business People]]
Abraham was born in Kafarakab, Lebanon, to Nahim Malouf Abraham (1885-1965) and Alia Abdullah Bulos Malouf Abraham (1883-1969). He was reared in Canadian, at which he arrived with his parents and older brother in 1913, five years after Canadian was incorporated.<ref name=hcbook/> Nahim and Alia Abraham insisted that their children remember the family roots in Lebanon, which they continued to visit when possible. The couple sent money to help poor relatives in Lebanon or to build a community church or school there.<ref name=textechbus/> In 1928, Tom Abraham graduated from Canadian High School.<ref name=obit>{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/020907/obi_020907080.shtml|title=Tom Abraham|publisher=''Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|date=February 9, 2007|accessdate=September 19, 2014}}</ref><ref name=rvmuseum>{{cite web|url=http://www.rivervalleymuseum.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=152:tom-abraham-merchant&catid=37:commerce-history&Itemid=262|title=Tom Abraham, Merchant|publisher=River Valley Pioneer Museum|accessdate=September 21, 2014}}</ref>
===Abraham family and Tech University===
In 1932, Abraham graduated from [[Texas Tech University]] in Lubbock, at which he played on the [[Texas Tech Red Raiders]] [[college football|football]] team and was the business manager of ''The Daily Toreador'', the college student newspaper. He helped to launch the Texas Tech Red Raiders Club and was part of the commission which created the Texas Tech Dad's Association, since renamed the Texas Tech Association of Parents. At the time of his death, Abraham was believed to have been the oldest living Texas Tech letterman.<ref name=obit/><ref name=rvmuseum/> In 1981, both Tom and Malouf Abraham were named "Distinguished Alumni" of Texas Tech. Tom Abraham was the first Texas Tech graduate to have received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the institution. In 1981, a $5,000 annual scholarship was established in his honor by his brother, Malouf Abraham, Sr. (1915-1994), and sister-in-law, Iris Lewis Abraham (1918-2001).<ref>"Abraham Brothers Honored by Texas Tech", ''Canadian Record'', September 24, 1981, p. 14.</ref> The Tom Abraham Graduate Fellowship began with a $65,000 initial donation. More than a dozen of the Hemphill County Abrahams attended or graduated from Texas Tech, as did Tom Abraham's two daughters and son.<ref name=textechbus>"Three Generations of Abrahams Attend Texas Tech", ''Texas Tech Business'', Winter 1984, pp. 14-15.</ref>
<blockquote>
'''Tom Abraham believes in America. He believes that man's duty is to leave the world better than he found it. During all his life, he has been active in civic affairs, to the betterment of his community and the nation.''' - [[Freedoms Foundation]], [[Valley Forge]], [[Pennsylvania]], 1980</blockquote>
===Merchant, father and son===
After graduation from Texas Tech, Abraham worked in the dry goods business in Paducah in Cottle County south of Childress, Texas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.library.unt.edu/tdnp/2014/05/20/15/|title=An Historical Preservation Effort That Will Live in Perpetuity|publisher=''The Paducah (Texas) Post''|date=May 20, 2014|author=Ana Krahmer|accessdate=September 22, 2014}}</ref> On April 28, 1935, he married his neighbor, the former Helen Ferguson (August 7, 1915 – February 11, 2008). A native of Merkel near [[Abilene, Texas|Abilene]] in Taylor County, Texas, Helen was the daughter of Frank Ferguson and the former Maude Hill.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/021508/obi_247110470.shtml|title=Helen Abraham|publisher=''Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|date=February 15, 2008|accessdate=September 19, 2014}}</ref> After their marriage, Tom and Helen moved to Canadian to work in his father's [[department store]] called "The Fair Store", a business which opened in 1913, only five years after Canadian was incorporated, and was once known throughout the Panhandle for its high-quality merchandise. After Nahim retired, Tom and Helen became the owners of the business in 1949.<ref name="digital.utsa.edu"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=48065904|title=Nahim Abraham (1885-1965)|publisher=findagrave.com|accessdate=September 20, 2014}}</ref> Tom Abraham also held three [[oil]] and [[natural gas]] leases in adjoining Lipscomb County in the far northeastern corner of the Panhandle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.texas-drilling.com/lipscomb-county/leases|title=Oil and Gas Leases in Lipscomb County|publisher=texas-drilling.com|accessdate=September 21, 2014}}</ref>
===Edward Abraham Memorial Home===
The Abrahams together established the Edward Abraham Memorial Home,<ref name=obit/> a nursing facility in Canadian, which is named for the youngest of the Abraham sons, businessman Edward Abraham (1917-1961).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=48392146|title=Edward Abraham|publisher=findagrave.com|accessdate=September 20, 2014}}</ref> When he died suddenly of a [[Myocardial infarction|heart attack]] at the age of forty-four, Edward Abraham, who had been in the jewelry, restaurant, and real estate businesses in Canadian,<ref>"Eddie Abraham victim of heart attack Tuesday", ''Canadian Record'', October 26, 1961, pp. 1, 9.</ref> had been working to establish a community-sponsored nursing home. With a $50,000 initial contribution from the Abraham family,<ref>"$50,000 given for rest home: Abraham family invites community to match gifts", ''Canadian Record'', December 16, 1961, p. 4.</ref> a federal grant, and other funds raised by the community, the facility opened in 1964 with thirty-seven beds; by 1974, the capacity had increased to care for fifty-eight persons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eamemorialhome.org/?page_id=51|title=About Us - Edward Abraham Memorial Home|publisher=eamemorialhome.org|accessdate=September 21, 2014}}</ref>
In 1975, the home had financial problems, a matter believed related to [[inflation]] and the failure of the Abrahams to seek community donations: "I think we've been a little to bashful about asking for help," said Tom Abraham.<ref>"Inflation and slow pay: Memorial Home in financial bind", ''Canadian Record'', January 16, 1975, p. 16.</ref> In June 1975, Tom Abraham, representing his family, was honored in [[Houston, Texas|Houston]] by the Texas Association of Homes for the Aging for the Abraham family's commitment to the Edward Abraham Home.<ref>"Abraham family cited", ''Canadian Record'', June 26, 1975, p. 14.</ref>
===Organizations===
Tom Abraham was a member of Rotary International,<ref>"Career clinic draws top faculty", ''Canadian Record'', May 3, 1962, p. 19.</ref> the [[Masonic lodge]],<ref name=obit/>[[Shriners]],<ref>"Shriners enjoy banquet here Friday evening", ''Hemphill County News'', February 24, 1953, p. 1.</ref>[[United Way of America]],<ref>"Hemphill United Fund Goal", October 9, 1980, ''Canadian Record'', p. 24.</ref> the [[March of Dimes]],<ref>"President's Ball", ''Hemphill County News'', January 30, 1942, p. 4.</ref> the [[Boy Scouts of America]]<ref>"Boy Scouts reorganize", ''Hemphill County News'', June 9, 1939, p. 1.</ref> and the youth-mentoring group, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.<ref>''Canadian Record'', September 26, 1956, p. 1.</ref> was a volunteer at the River Valley Pioneer Museum, established in Canadian in 1986.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.openisbn.com/preview/073857113X/|title=Images of America: Hemphill County|publisher=Arcadia Publishing Company|location=[[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston]], [[South Carolina]]|date=21009|author=Susan Owens Caudle and River Valley Pioneer Museum|pages=112|isbn=9780738571133|accessdate=September 21, 2014}}</ref> He was the auctioneer for the Women Service League.<ref>"Women's Service League", ''Canadian Record'', May 4, 1978, p. 24.</ref> The Abraham Trophy, which was frequently presented by Tom Abraham, is awarded annually to the "most outstanding" eighth grade student in Canadian.<ref>"Junior High graduation Thursday", ''Canadian Record'', May 27, 1976, p. 8.</ref>
Abraham received "Man of the Year"<ref name=obit/> designation from the Canadian-Hemphill County [[Chamber of Commerce]] and served as president more than once<ref>"Junior Livestock Show Saturday: 4-H Club and FFA Boys to compete", ''Canadian Record'', January 6, 1955, p. 1.</ref><ref>"Annual C of C Banquet Saturday night", ''Canadian Record'', January 16, 1975, p. 4.</ref> and on committees of the organization, such as Highways and Lake Marvin, an artificial lake in Hemphill County established for recreation, flood control, soil conservation, wildlife protection.<ref>"Chamber of Commerce committees are appointed for year 1960", ''Canadian Record'', December 31, 1959, p. 1.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rol52|title=Lake Marvin|publisher=tshaonline.org|accessdate=September 28, 2014}}</ref> In 1979, Abraham was presented the "Key to the City" award by then Mayor George Arrington.<ref>''Canadian Record'', May 10, 1979, p. 15.</ref>
[[Image:First Presbyterian Church, Canadian, TX IMG 6082.JPG|200px|right|thumb|The Abrahams was instrumental in the construction of the original [[Presbyterian Church in the United States|Presbyterian Church]] in Canadian, [[Texas]].]]
Tom Abraham was a member of the Hemphill County Appraisal Board, established effective January 1, 1982. The board determines uniform [[property tax]] assessment rates for all taxing bodies in the county.<ref>"Five men elected to new appraisal board", ''Canadian Record'', November 26, 1981, p. 12.</ref>
Abraham was a superintendent of worship<ref>"Presbyterian Church", ''Hemphill County News'', February 9, 1940, p. 4</ref> and later instrumental in building the original sanctuary of his church, the First [[Presbyterian Church]] in Canadian.<ref name=obit/>
===Patriotic honors===
During [[World War II]], Tom Abraham was co-chairman of the United War Chest in Hemphill County.<ref>''Hemphill County News'', October 15, 1943, p. 1.</ref> Years later, he received the Americanism Award from the [[Daughters of the American Revolution]], an honor given only to [[immigrant]]s who helped other immigrants obtain United States citizenship.<ref>"DAR gives medal to Tom Abraham", ''Canadian Record'', May 10, 1979, p. 14.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.landsoftexas.com/County-Data-For-Hemphill-County-Texas|title=County Data for Hemphill County, Texas|publisher=landsoftexas.com|accessdate=September 25, 2014}}</ref> In 1976, he chaired the Hemphill County [[wikt:bicentennial|Bicentennial]] Commission.<ref>"Standing ovation for Bicentennial Special by crowd of over 300", ''Canadian Record'', April 15, 1976, p. 15.</ref><ref>"Bells will ring here on Fourth of July", ''Canadian Record'', July 1, 1976, p. 4.</ref> In 1979, then Canadian Mayor George Arrington presented Abraham with the "Key to the City".<ref>"Mayor George Arrington presents the symbolic 'Key to the City' to Tom Abraham", ''Canadian Record'', May 10, 1979, p. 15.</ref>
In February 1980, Abraham received the "Encased George Washington Honor Medal" from [[Freedoms Foundation]] in [[Valley Forge]], [[Pennsylvania]].<ref>"Tom Abraham accepts Encased George Washington Honor Medal", ''Canadian Record'', February 28, 1980, p. 21.</ref> He received a [[telegram]] two months earlier on the day of his mother's funeral notifying him of his selection.<ref>"Tom Abraham to receive Freedoms Foundation award, ''Canadian Record'', December 6, 1979, pp. 1, 17.</ref> Abraham's citation reads: "Tom Abraham believes in America. He believes that man's duty is to leave the world better than he found it. During all his life, he has been active in civic affairs, to the betterment of his community and the nation." Honored along with Abraham were [[U.S. Senator]] [[Jake Garn]] of [[Utah]], former actress and U.S. Ambassador [[Shirley Temple|Shirley Temple Black]], [[actor]] [[James Stewart]], and singer [[John Denver]].<ref>"Tom Abraham to be honored by Freedoms Foundation Feb. 22", ''Canadian Record'', February 14, 1980, p. 19.</ref>
===The Republican Abrahams===
Abraham's, brother Malouf Abraham, Sr., named for the original family surname, was a wealthy oil and natural gas developer and philanthropist who was [[mayor]] of Canadian from 1953 to 1957, and a [[Republican]] member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1967 to 1971. His nephew Malouf Abraham, Jr., is a retired Canadian, Texas, [[physician]] with specialty in [[Allergy|allergies]] and an active [[patron of the arts]]. His niece by marriage, Therese Browne Abraham, was mayor of Canadian from 1981<ref>"City elects first woman mayor", ''Canadian Record'', April 9, 1981, p. 6.</ref> to 1991. All of the Abrahams became Republicans and were generous donors to the party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/elec/elec-CANADIAN-TX.html|title=CANADIAN, Texas (TX) Political Contributions by Individuals|publisher=city-data.com|accessdate=September 19, 2014}}</ref>
In 1953, Tom Abraham attended a dinner in Pampa in which Republican [[U.S. Representative]] [[Walter Judd]] of [[Minnesota]] addressed post-[[Korean War]] foreign policy issues during the [[Cold War]].<ref>"Knife and Fork Club", ''Hemphill County News'', September 24, 1953, p. 1.</ref> In 1976, Abraham was the Hemphill County chairman for [[Ronald Reagan]]'s insurgent intraparty challenge to [[U.S. President]] [[Gerald R. Ford, Jr.]]<ref>"Support a Real Leader" (advertisement), ''Canadian Record'', April 29, 1976, p. 19.</ref> In 1978, Abraham was elected in a [[write-in]] vote to succeed Royce Jones as the Hemphill County Republican chairman.<ref>"Only 24 Republican casts in primary" in Hemphill County, ''Canadian Record'', May 11, 1978, p. 11.</ref> In 1980, he was the Hemphill County chairman for the [[Ronald Reagan|Reagan]]-[[George H. W. Bush|Bush]] ticket.<ref>Reagan-Bush advertisement, ''Canadian Record'', October 9, 1980, p. 13.</ref>
===Tom Abraham's death and legacy===
Tom Abraham died of lengthy complications from a stroke in the Hemphill County Hospital in Canadian. In addition to his wife, he was survived by three children, Donna A. Stainback of Greenville, Texas, Kenneth "Ken" Abraham and his wife, Renee Abraham, of Lubbock, and Kay A. Brown and her husband, Terry Brown, of Canadian; nine grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, all three brothers, and a son-in-law, Raiford Hammond Stainback, Jr.<ref name=obit/>
Two of Abraham's minister-granddaughters, Ashley A. Hood and Kari Stainback, officiated at his funeral, which was held in the First Christian Church of Canadian. Tom and Helen Abraham are interred in the Edith Ford Cemeteries in Canadian.<ref name=obit/> Abraham family gravestones mention their origin in Kafarakab but the spelling used is "Kafrakab", without the "a" after the "f." The [[Texas State Historical Association]] in an article on Nahim Abraham also uses "Kafrakab".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fab10|title=Nahim Abraham|publisher=tshaonline.org|accessdate=September 20, 2014}}</ref>
[[Image:Tom Abraham grave marker, Canadian, TX IMG 6101.JPG|175px|right|thumb|Tom Abraham grave in the Edith Ford Cemeteries in Canadian, Texas]]
Tom Abraham's obituary reads that he was known for his kindness to others.<ref name=obit/> He was included in the group "Seven Who Care" from [[KVII-TV]] in [[Amarillo, Texas|Amarillo]]. In 1992, the ''[[Amarillo Globe News]]'' in a feature article referred to him, accordingly: "[[Santa Claus]] is alive and giving in Canadian."<ref name=findagrave/> The ''Canadian Record'' reported at Christmas 1960 that the Abrahams had placed a giant Santa Claus in their front yard.<ref>Nancy Ezzell, "Many Canadian homes reflect Christmas spirit in bright lights", ''Canadian Record'', December 22, 1960, p. 5.</ref>
In the 1985 book ''Hemphill County History'', Abraham describes his fellow citizens of Canadian as having pride, purpose, and determination: "I know Canadian folks - they just don't give up."<ref name=hcbook>{{cite web|url=http://www.canadiantx.org/index.php/component/content/article/12-living-in-canadian/3-living-in-canadian.pdf|title=Living in Canadian|publisher=canadiantx.org|accessdate=September 21, 2014}}</ref>
On February 9, 2006, a year before his death, Abraham was interviewed by the Southwest Collection at Texas Tech University. In this oral history conducted by David Marshall, Abraham discusses his life, career, and education at Texas Tech.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://collections.swco.ttu.edu/jspui/handle/10605/1590|title=Tom Abraham Oral History Interview|publisher=Southwest Collections of Texas Tech University|accessdate=September 21, 2014}}</ref><ref>Further information on Tom Abraham can be accessed through The Portal to Texas History, which will connect with newspaper articles, particularly the ''Canadian Record'' and the ''Hemphill County News''.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth136591/m1/12/?q=Tom+ Abraham|title=The Portal to Texas History: Tom Abraham|publisher=texashistoryunt.edu|accessdate=September 23, 2014}}</ref>
==References==
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[[Category:Lebanon]]
[[Category:Texas]]
[[Category:Republicans]]
[[Category:Conservatives]]
[[Category:Presbyterians]]
[[Category:Business People]]