Ervin T. "Tommie" Basham

Mr. Ervin T. “Tommie” Basham, age 77, of Muldraugh, KY, passed away on Saturday, August 21, 2021, at the Robley Rex Veterans Administration Medical Center in Louisville, KY.  Tommie was born October 30, 1943, the son of Harry Ervin and Dessie Pearl (Wells) Basham.

Tommie was a veteran of the United States Army, serving his country in Vietnam.  On September 11, 1969, Tommie’s unit came under enemy fire during the middle of the night.  Specialist Basham maneuvered himself through enemy fire to locate the Howitzer gun without regard to his own safety in order to protect those in his unit.  He shot illum rounds to light up the sky and give himself a visual of the enemy.  For the next three hours the barrage of rounds from both sides continued until Tommie’s unit was able to call in air support.  By sacrificing his personal safety for others, SPC Basham was awarded the Bronze Star with valor for his courageous act.  Tommie was a member of VFW Post 11404; retired from Louisville Gas and Electric after over 33 years of service; a former volunteer of the Muldraugh Fire Department; worked for the Postal Service for 10 years; and just to stay busy, mowed grass on Ft. Knox until 2018.  He, also, tirelessly volunteered with his wife, Hazel, every summer to help out with the fair booth for Muldraugh Elementary from the mid 80’s til the school closed in 2012. Tommie loved gardening, woodworking, camping, fishing and his old cars that he loved to drag race at US 60 Dragway.  Tommie had a passion for muscle cars, collecting and rebuilding them. He loved car shows and could name off cars like a savant. His greatest joy was his family and decorating for holidays with them, as well as, spending time with his dog, Popcorn.

Tommie was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Hazel Basham, and his son-in-law, Robbie Weaver.  He is survived by four daughters, Montina Weaver, Bridget Glass and her husband, Rob, Tandy “Mousie” Bagley and her husband, Dave and Scarlet Quillen and her husband, Jason; seven grandchildren, Allan Thomas Basham, Dida “Doolittle” Fritz, Dessie “Couch Monkey” Weaver, Lila “Monk” Weaver, Brea “French Fry Nugent” Bagley, Anastasia “Missy” Basham and Sierra “Moga” Quillen; five great grandchildren, Kyran, Kayli, Korbyn and Kordelia Basham, and Willow “Spud” Rose Gene Cundiff; and two sisters, Ruth Ann Proctor and Wanda Pearl Shellner.

Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 Noon on Friday, September 3, 2021, at the chapel of the Hager Funeral Home, with Rev. David Sullivan officiating.  Burial, with military honors, will follow at 1:30 PM at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central in Radcliff, KY.  Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 1:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Thursday, September 2, 2021, and after 9:00 AM on Friday.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ervin T. "Tommie" Basham, please visit our floral store.