Tom Hilton

(From Paul Thomas Funeral Home)

Tom Dwain Hilton died suddenly at the age of 70 on Friday, December 22, 2023, at his home. 

Tom was born on April 15, 1953, in Mountain Home, ID to Howard D Hilton and Madonna L Hilton. He graduated from Parkwood High School in Joplin, MO in 1971. He attended Crowder College(1972). He graduated from Missouri Southern State College with a Bachelor's Degree in Education (1976) and earned his Master's Degree from the University of Arkansas in 1979. He then went on to teach and coach at Diamond High School, University of Arkansas, and Labette Community College where he led his teams to conference championships and college world series. 

As a coach, he had a total of 630 wins and he never had a losing season. He was the Pitching Coach for the USA team at the Olympic Festival in 1991 and the Pitching coach for the Jr. Olympic team in 1992. He was inducted into the Joplin Sports Authority Hall of Fame in 2008. 

While he did love the game of baseball, he cherished the love of his life Jay Hilton to whom he married on April 21, 2000. They moved to Miami in 2003 where he took over as agent of Shelter Insurance. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golfing with family and friends. He loved training and playing with their dogs, Hunter and Henry. He accepted the Lord as his Savior in 2005 and loved his church family. He looked forward to being a door greeter each Sunday with Cheryl and Bill at One Church Miami.

He was preceded in death by his father Howard Hilton and dad Bill Crampton.. 

He is survived by his wife, Jay Hilton (Miami, OK), mother Madonna Hilton-Crampton (Joplin, MO), Whitney Thetge and husband Tim (Joplin, MO), Wade Hilton and wife Jessica (Webb City, MO), Robert Parker (Springfield), Brandon Parker and wife Melissa (Nixa, MO), and Justin Parker and wife Krystina (Republic, MO), his grandchildren, which were the light of his life, Bailee, Cooper, Kynnedy, Jamie, Molly, Kaysn, Brady, and Sadie as well as many in-laws, extended family, friends, and numerous baseball players that were like sons to him.

The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 29, 2023 at One Church in Miami, OK. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 29, 2023 at One Church in Miami, OK with Rev. Herb Young officiating. 

Justin Parker, Robby Parker, Brandon Parker, Tim Thetge, Matt Higgins, David Cotner, Wren Helwig and Scott Tabor will serve as pallbearers. Private family Inurnment will be at a later date at Osborne Memorial Cemetery in Joplin, MO. 

In Lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to One Church in Miami, OK. Services have been placed in the care of Paul Thomas Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Miami, OK. Online condolences may be made at www.paulthomasfuneralhomes.com.