James "Tommy" Thomas Oswalt

James Thomas Oswalt, known as Tommy, passed away at his home in Northport, AL on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at the age of 71. Born on June 26, 1952, Tommy spent most of his childhood in Fayette, AL. Known as a hard worker by family and friends, Tommy spent his summers working on his uncle’s farm. He enjoyed spending time with his cousins and friends, collecting baseball cards and harassing his sisters. Tommy also enjoyed fishing with his Dad, swimming and playing sports. Tommy was a member of the Fayette County High School football team for four years... After graduating from Fayette County High School in 1971, he attended Shelton State Community College and later, Auburn University.

In his professional life, Tommy began his career in the restaurant hospitality business as the manager of Pizza Hut in Northport, AL. Years later, in 1980, he began working at Bama-Bino Pizzeria in Tuscaloosa, AL, where he stayed until the business closed in 1991. While working at Bama-Bino, Tommy and the owner, Fran Viselli, became close friends, which was the beginning of a life-long friendship that lasted more than forty-four years.

Following his time at Bama-Bino, Tommy changed career paths and started working in the telecommunications industry for the BellSouth corporation in Birmingham, AL and continued to work for the company when it became AT&T. Throughout his career with AT&T, Tommy received numerous awards and recognitions, which exemplified his dedication and work ethic, including the Five Years of Perfect Attendance at Work award, the Best of Service to AT&T Customers award, and the Extraordinary Customer Service award. Tommy retired from AT&T with more than thirty years of service on October 1, 2022.

Tommy married his wife Watsana (Ana) Siri on February 19, 2011. Together,they enjoyed traveling, gardening and photography. At the end of the summer of 2023, Tommy traveled to Ana’ s home country of Thailand where he was able to meet Ana’s mother and her

family and friends. This was Tommy’s first and only time to travel outside the United States and he enjoyed experiencing a new culture and Ana enjoyed showing Tommy her homeland..

Tommy is preceded in death by his parents, James E. Oswalt and Amy Lou Fullerton Oswalt of Fayette, and his grandparents, Hollis and Lela Oswalt, and Jessie and Amy Fullerton, all from Fayette, AL. He is survived by his wife and the love of his life, Watsana (Ana) Siri Oswalt and his three sisters, Jimmie Oswalt Hardin of Northport, AL, Sarah (Dennis) Smith of Guin, AL, and Lora (Pete) Elinburg of Fayette, AL. In addition, Tommy leaves behind six nephews: Paul Hardin, James Hardin, Nicholas Smith, Stephen Smith, Mark Elinburg, and Jon Elinburg; one niece, Caroline Elinburg Wright and nine great-nieces and three great-nephews; and numerous cousins.

Friends and family are invited to a memorial service to honor and celebrate the life of Tommy Oswalt, which will be held at Norwood Wyatt Chapel Funeral Home in Fayette, AL on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Visitation will be from 10:30 am -11:00 am, with a service starting at 11:00 am. A burial service at Oak Grove Cemetery in Bankston, AL will follow the memorial service.