Tom Tierney

John Thomas “Tom” Tierney, illustrious paper doll artist, historian, story teller and bon vivant, died Saturday, July 12, in his apartment on Main Street in Smithville. He was 85 years old. Tom was born in Beaumont, TX, received a Fine Arts degree from UT, and, after a stint in the United States Army, became nationally known as a fashion illustrator. He loved to tell the story of how his book of hand drawn paper dolls, a Christmas gift for his mother in l975, launched him into a second career, and international renown. His historically accurate paper dolls can be found in the gift shops of museums, were reviewed in the New York Times, and won for him a legion of fans. Tom met, and probably charmed, hundreds of the celebrated during his days in New York, and he loved to share the stories. A visitor to his shop could spend as long as they wished hearing anecdotes of the famous, while perusing his amazing books of paper dolls and collection of museum quality antiques and memorabilia. Tom was an original member of Spoken Word, a Smithville writing group. In recent years, the group could look forward each month to hearing chapters of his memoir, which were always filled with interesting episodes and his remarkable memory and wit. Tom and his nephew, Patrick O’Tierney, established Tom-Kat Paper Dolls and Shangri-La Emporium in Smithville in 2007 and after Patrick’s death in 2013, his widow Kathy worked with Tom in the shop. Kathy was Tom’s closest friend and caregiver in the last year of his life. Survivors include Tom’s brother, Hal Tierney, of Silsbee, TX; nieces and nephews: Brad W. Tierney of Longmont, Co; Kathleen O’Tierney of Bastrop, TX; Kathleen Tierney Hardt of Beaumont, TX; and Sharon Tierney Meads, Orange, TX. Survivors also include six great nieces and nephews, five great-great-nieces and nephews, and many friends all over the country. Memorial services will be held October 18, 2014 at Bastrop Providence Funeral Home, Bastrop, TX from 3-4:30pm. A reception and the opening of Tom Tierney Studios & Gallery will follow beginning at 5pm, Shangri-La Emporium, 216 Main Street, Smithville, TX.