Thomas William Wendt, II was born April 17, 1958, and passed away May 21, 2026, at the age of 68.
Tom, affectionately known as Too Tall Tom, had a larger than life and tenacious presence, which paired perfectly with his striking voice and sarcastic sense of humor. His love for his family, children, and grandchildren was immense and depthless, a love they returned with full force along with extreme pride for every hard battle he overcame. Although Tom’s passing adds to his family’s own grief, it brings them great comfort knowing God has seen fit to reunite Tom with his beloved children and loved ones that went before him.
Tom was born in Belleville, Illinois. He later moved to Owensboro, Kentucky, and became a die-hard University of Kentucky fan. Tom attended Apollo High School where he excelled at basketball and, to this day, he still holds records.
After high school, Tom played basketball for McNeese State University and later attended Oak Ridge Enhanced Technology and Training Center and became an NDT Level III Inspector.
During his career, Tom worked as an inspector/engineer for Three Mile Island, Martin Marietta, and Green River Steel. He also worked on projects such as the B1 Bomber, Titan Missile, and Hubble Space Telescope. Tom finally ended his working years and retired from Valmont in 2025, after working there for 13 years.
He is survived by his children, Katie Wendt, Cody Wendt and wife Amanda, Jessica Brown and husband Cody and Tatum Wendt; siblings; Tim Wendt and wife Diane and Donna Southard and husband Rob; grandchildren; Hannah, Gabriel, Halynn, Brycen, Zayden, Grayson, Jameson, Sebastian, Oliver, and Bryor.
He is preceded in death by his daughter, Britany Michelle Wendt; son, Thomas William Wendt III; parents Thomas and Leona Wendt; and brother, Terry Wendt.
Family will receive friends from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., Friday, May 29, 2026, and continuing from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 10:00 a.m., at Riley Smith & Sons Funeral Home, 1810 W. 4th Street, DeQuincy, Louisiana. Interment to follow at Oretta Cemetery, Singer, Louisiana.