Dr. Michael E. Tatum, 73, of College Station, passed away on Tuesday, June 23rd at his home with family by his side. A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 26th at 2:00 pm at A&M United Methodist Church. Rev. John Reasons and Rev. Jamison Doehring will officiate.
Michael was born on February 10, 1942, in San Angelo to J.E. “Spud” and Helen R. Tatum. He grew up in Rocksprings, Texas and graduated from Texas A&M in 1963. He received his DVM in 1964 and that same year on October 3rd married Carol Ann Barrett in Dallas. Michael returned to Texas A&M in 1965 to join the faculty at the Veterinary College and taught there for the next 35 years, retiring in 2000.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Carol; daughter and son-in-law Karen & Mike Mitchell of Leander, daughter Susan Tatum of College Station, son and daughter-in-law Stephen & Shannon Tatum of The Woodlands, and his four granddaughters, Taylor & Ashlyn Tatum and Kaitlyn & Jenna Mitchell. He is also survived by his sister, JoAnn Holcomb, and niece, Jan Holcomb both, of Lockhart, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hospice Brazos Valley, A&M United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice.
My condolences to and prayers for the Tatum family. I first met Dr. Tatum during my interview for vet school in 1977. His intelligence, kindness and faith were always apparent, and inspiring.
Our family has good memories of the years Mike & Carol & Darrel coached their daughters & our daughters in girls softball. Mike & Darrel both liked to win , but more importantly, they encouraged each girl to improve, to be a good team member & to have fun!
What I remember the most about Mike was his smile, his twinkling eyes, and his sense of humor. He will be missed!
Mike and I were fish buddies in 1959. I know him as Mikem Tate!! I thought of him as the straight arrow in the group and he remained one I’m sure till his final breath, somebody you just wanted to be like! Always up! Proud to have known and respected him as a fellow AGGIE and veterinarian. We had some great times winning intramural softball!
My condolences to all his loved ones.
Bill Riddle DVM Austin, Tx
I enjoyed having Dr. Tatum as my histology professor in vet school. He had a wonderful sense of humor and his passion for teaching and his students came through every day. I was lucky to be in his final class prior to his retirement and am grateful for the experience.
Carol and family, we are so sorry for your lose. We always enjoyed the times we spent with you and Mike. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dr. Tatum was my first year histopath professor and assisted in large animal anatomy lab. Great man, superb teacher. Can’t say enough about this great ma who will be sorely missed. Our prayers are with his family. He was an inspiration as a man and a doctor.
Dr. Shawn
Dr. Tatum taught me histology my first year in veterinary school and was one of my favorite instructors . He had such passion for teaching and helping us become great veterinarians. My sincere condolences to you all.
My thoughts and prayers for Dr. Tatum’s family. He was an incredible man and one of the bright spots in my time in veterinary school.
Dr. Tatum was my first year anatomy professor. I was always impressed with his kindness, compassion and professionalism. I have thought of him many times over the years and will continue to do so for the rest of my career. He inspired so many of us. He will never be forgotten. I offer my sincerest condolences to his family. He was a truly great man.
I was fortunate to meet Mike and Carol on a cruise celebrating their wedding anniversary. We had so much fun talking and getting to know each other. It was such a pleasure! My sincerest condolences to the family.
Michael was such a kind and generous person. I will truly miss how he freely gave of himself to help all those he met. I wish the family peace and love during this trying time. May God bless you all. With much love and prayers, V.
He was always one of my favorite professors and a heck of a dominoe player.
Most of all he was a Christian Gentleman.
God Bless
Chessley
I was saddened to hear about Dr Tatum’s passing. He taught me 1st year histology and was the kindest man I knew.
My sympathies for your loss. May God comfort you in this difficult time.
Am so sorry for your loss. In vet class 1985 and he was one of my very favorite professors. Not only a great teacher, but he made it fun. He will be greatly missed.
As you probably already know, Dr. Tatum was a very popular professor. He made the subject of histology interesting and always had a sense of humor about it all. He was genuinely a nice man that always told us to make time for our families in the midst of all the studying we were supposed to be doing. He obviously had his priorities right and tried to pass it on to his students. I am so sorry for your loss.
Dr. Tatum was a wonderful mentor, teacher, and friend and those who got a chance to know him were blessed. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Dr. Tatum had a wicked sense of humor. I remember his coffee and his voice. I am thankful that I was among the last group of his students before he retired. I am so sorry for the pain of your loss.
He was a most wonderful man. He showed us exactly what we should be as professionals and as humans. I thank him for the best education anyone could ever be lucky enough to receive.
Dr. Tatum was the best professor I was lucky to have in vet school. He was funny, smart, caring and helped us in so many ways besides just teaching. He taught us to care about others and give help wherever is is needed. I was blessed to know him and his legacy will continue through us all. My sincere condolences to all his family- please know we are with you in loving and missing him.
Mariah Coakley
DVM TAMU Class of 2000
What an amazing man Dr Tatum! He was an amazing professor! He influenced countless numbers of veterinarians in the state of Texas and beyond. He always had a twinkle in his eye and a smile when you needed it. I have fond memories of being one of his students. I graduated from Vet school the year he retired. He will be greatly missed.
may all your memories of him bring you some comfort in this difficult time
So many veterinarians from the class of 2001 and beyond are saddened to hear of Dr. Tatum’s passing. He was such a bright, funny and wonderful part of our schooling, and our lives. Thank you so much, Dr. Tatum!
i was but one of many thousands Dr. Tatum taught but I will never forget him or his lessons. He was one of the kindest men I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He would never hesitate to give extra time to his students. No question was ever too small and he would take all the time needed to make sure each student understood everything they needed, something that must have taken an incredible amount of patience – but you never felt he needed to call on that patience. Teaching seemed to be a true pleasure to him – so his lessons were a pleasure for his students.
Thank you for sharing him with us. I know he made a lasting impact on my life and I’m sure on thousands more.
Dr. Tatum was a wonderful professor and really made learning fun. He was a great role model for our class- Class of 1998. My deepest condolences to his family.
Some of my best memories from veterinary school were of time spent in Dr. Tatum’s class. He – and several other distinguished gentlemen there at that time – were unique and the likes of which we will not see again. I will remember him very fondly.
Dr. Tatum was not only a great instructor, but also a mentor and a true friend to the class of 1985. I remember him attending some of our somewhat crazy end of the block vet school parties. My condolences to his family and many friends and colleagues.
Thanks Mike. Well done good and faithful one.
Double E from the Brain Trust Class of ’73
Dear Tatums,,,,,What I remember most — Mike’s warm” eyes. He made everyone feel so welcome and part of his life. we are thinking of each of you, and we are sure the good memories that Mike created will help sustain you. We love you all. The Jennings
MIKE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST PERSONS I TAUGHT WITH IN VET. ANATOMY. WHAT A WONDERFUL, KIND FELLOW. GREAT TO WORK WITH AND THE BEST OF A MAN. I’LL MISS YOU, MIKE; AND SO WILL EVERYONE WHO KNEW YOU.
THANK YOU FOR BEING SUCH A GENTLEMAN, MARV CANNON
My heart sank today when I heard of Dr. Tatum’s passing. He was a great mentor in my professional life as a student at the College of Veterinary Medicine. It was the little things that doc did that made him special to me.
God Bless the Family during this difficult time.
I had the privilege of learning anatomy under Dr. Tatum and knew him as a man of great integrity in addition to caring about his students. I offer my deepest condolences to the family.