Almost a year ago, the town of Double Oak mourned the loss of Tom Pidcock: town mayor, dedicated family man, 35 year military veteran and community pillar.
Demonstrating how closely knit the town is, residents and town officials of Double Oak joined efforts to construct a memorial to Pidcock, which was dedicated at the town volunteer fire department’s annual parade and picnic event July 4.
Mayor Mike Donnelly and the town council formed a committee consisting of Councilmen Steve Durbin and Gary Garrett, and Double Oak citizens Angela Pampling and Lisa Hildinger to oversee the project from conception to completion.
The flagpole in front of Town Hall was upgraded and a bench engraved “Mayor Tom Pidcock Honor Memorial” was placed nearby.
The new flagpole stands 30 feet tall, double the size of the previous one, and is surrounded by 12 by 12 inch pavers which can be engraved in the future to recognize or memorialize other Double Oak residents.
“Tom always had a sense for recognizing people,” Durbin said.
The bench is a five by two by two block comprised of quarry stone, milsap stone and Oklahoma flagstone weighing in at 1,900 pounds; definitely no ordinary bench but a “very unique” one according to Durbin.
The entire project was funded through donations from Double Oak residents and businesses.
Double Oak resident Phillip Blan also contributed to the effort as part of his Eagle Scout service project, working with numerous other Boy Scouts and guided by contractors from Grapevine-based Pavestone Co.
Members of the Pidcock family attended the dedication, which included one of Pidcock’s sons Matt (also a military serviceman) lowering the current flag, and raising an American flag presented by U.S. Representative Michael Burgess’ office and a Texas flag presented by State Representative Tan Parker’s office.
Pidcock’s widow Janice thanked the crowd and the many memorial contributors, and the bench was unveiled.
