Thomas N. Caywood

Thomas N. Caywood, 98, of Casa Grande, passed away January 7, 2021. Preceded in death by his son James Warren Caywood; survived by his beloved wife of Sammi Lorraine Caywood, daughters Nancy Lew Caywood and Patricia Sue Caywood both of Casa Grande, half brother Charles Caywood of Texas; 4 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
Tommy Caywood was born on June 20, 1922, in Globe, Arizona, where our former Governor, Rose Mofford was also born. They were classmates and stayed in touch. In 1937, Tommy’s mother married Lewis Storey who had a farm at 11-Mile Corner near Casa Grande. Tommy finished his freshman year in Globe and then moved to Casa Grande where he completed his remaining years of High School and was a charter member of the National Honor Society before graduating in 1940. In the fall of 1940, Tommy enrolled at the University of Arizona and moved to the Aggie House in Tucson. WWII was declared on December 7, 1941 so Tommy enlisted in the Navy in September 1942 and was sent to San Diego, California for boot and then on to Point Loma where he learned to be a radar operator. In December of 1942 he was assigned to the USS Cimarron, a Navy Tanker. He passed Christmas Island on Christmas Day!
Tommy was honorably discharged in March 1946 and returned to Casa Grande and worked for his dad and his dad’s brother on the family farm. He married Sammie Darr on November 27, 1948 and they enjoyed 72 years of marriage. That same year, Tommy bought a farm near Stanfield and farmed that land until 1980.
Throughout his many years of farming and into retirement, Tommy was affiliated to so many organizations:
*West Pinal Natural Resource Conservation District- Supervisor, Secretary/Treasurer
*Electrical District One-founding member and first chairman of the board
* Casa Grande Industrial Development Authority-Secretary, Treasurer
*Eleven Mile Corner Gin- Board Member
*Agri-Business Council of Arizona-Executive Committee, Chairman of the Golf Committee
*Natural Resource Education Center-one the founders and board member
*Maricopa-Stanfield Irrigation District-Secretary/Treasurer for 17 years
*Greater Casa Grande Chamber of Commerce-Government Affairs Committee
*Los Conquistadors-President 1980-1982
*County Committee Member of Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service-Past President
Arizona Water Quality Advisory Council-Past Board Member (appointed by Governor Rose Mofford)
AWARDS:
*Arizona Farm Bureau, Distinguished Service Award to Agriculture, 2019
*Pinal County Farm Bureau, Distinguished Service Award to Agriculture, 2019
*Lifetime Accomplishment Award-Agri-Business Council of Arizona, 2011
*Hall of Fame for the Greater Casa Grande Valley Chamber of Commerce, 1979
*Wall of Fame, Casa Grande Union High School, 2008
*Electrical District No. One-Untiring Efforts to Secure Hydroelectric Power, 1987
*Maricopa-Stanfield Irrigation and Drainage District-Outstanding Contribution to Farmers in West Pinal County, 1971-1988
*Arizona Farming and Ranching Hall of Fame, 2011
*Goodyear Award-Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Accomplishment in Soil Conservation, 1962