It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Thomas Michael Angel, known affectionately as Tom, who departed this world on September 30, 2026, at the age of 87. Born in a farmhouse on April 16, 1939, in Long Run, Ohio.

Tom leaves behind his beloved wife of 63 years, Bette Jean Miller Angel, a partnership built on love, laughter, and unwavering support. He was a proud father to his three daughters: Dr. Nicole Lee Angel and husband Daniel Lewis, Tommie Jean Angel and husband Dr. Gregory Ball, and Dr. Martine Renee Angel and husband Jesse Gaudet. His legacy continues with his cherished granddaughter, Amelia Angel Gaudet, who brought boundless joy to his life.

In addition to his immediate family, Tom is survived by his stepsister, Judi Angel Zupan (Stephen); niece, Christean Angel White; nephew, Brook Angel; and lots of great nieces and nephews.

Tom was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Vincent Angel (Julia); mother, Mary Lucille Stock Karr (Bernard); brother, Raymond Joseph Angel (Mary Louise), stepbrother, Frederick Karr (Mercedes); and stepsister, Jacqueline Karr Hale (Albert).

He graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in Mount Pleasant, Ohio, in 1957. Shortly after graduation, he proudly joined the United States Navy Seabees. He attended boot camp in Chicago, Illinois, followed by Class A Diesel Mechanic School in Port Hueneme, California. During his service, Tom spent six months in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, building officers' quarters during the I'm time of the Cuban Revolution, and later spent another six months in Bermuda.

In 1961, Tom moved to Morgan City, Louisiana, where he began what would become a remarkable career as a commercial diver in the offshore oil industry. He eventually formed Angel Marine Divers and worked numerous freelance diving jobs throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Mexico.

Tom was a true pioneer in the commercial diving industry. During his career, he was involved in many groundbreaking projects and accomplishments. He helped establish one of the nfirst portable offshore photo laboratories, capable of producing black-and-white prints shortly after underwater photographs were taken. He assisted with the installation of an early underwater Christmas tree and helped set an offshore "J" tube and pull a "J" tube riser for Mobil Oil.

Along with his diving partner, Nick Zinkowski, Tom set a world record for completing the first 600-foot saturation dive and took some of the first underwater color photographs at a depth of 600 feet. He managed the diving team responsible for installing C.B.I. storage tanks at Dubai's Faithia Field for Conoco Oil. He also assisted in designing and building an early offshore diving bell system that was placed aboard the Ocean Viking, the offshore drilling rig involved in drilling the first offshore oil well in the Echo Fish Field in the North Sea for Phillips Petroleum. Tom also provided the first diving crew and equipment used in drilling an offshore well off the coast of Egypt in the Red Sea.

Tom's career continued to grow as he joined Sanford Brothers Divers, a company that was later acquired by Westinghouse, Fluor Offshore Marine Services, and eventually Santa Fe International. Over the years, he established satellite diving offices in Cairo, Egypt; Beirut, Lebanon; Dubai; the Trucial States; Caracas, Venezuela; and Venice, Louisiana.

In 1991, Tom joined Submar, Inc., which at the time was a manufacturing representative company for underwater electronic televisions, sonar equipment, pipe trackers, and other specialized equipment. Under his leadership, Submar evolved from a representative company into a manufacturer of concrete mattresses and their related handling systems. Over the following years, the company experienced tremendous growth, eventually reaching more than $25 million in revenue. Tom held six patents covering concrete mattresses, their applications, and handling systems.

Throughout his career, Tom served in nearly every level of the diving industry, including diver, rack operator, Assistant Diving Superintendent, Diving manager, Vice President of Diving, and ultimately President. He was inducted into the Commercial Diving Hall of Fame in February 2011.

Tom's entrepreneurial spirit extended well beyond commercial diving. He founded Angel Lures, Inc., where he designed and manufactured fishing lures including freshwater baits the Tricky Niki, Confidence, and the Persuader worm, as well as the saltwater bait, the TJ.

He hosted weekly fishing programs on KHOM-FM and KTIB-AM radio for nearly 4 years and appeared on numerous television programs connected with Angel Lures and the National BASS fishing circuit. He was the master of ceremony for the Grande Isle Tarpon Rodeo for several years.

Tom Angel had a long, rewarding life. His family was his biggest priority, and he will be missed by many. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the visitation in Chapel Dauphine of Chauvin's funeral home on Thursday, October 8, 2026, beginning at 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Visitation will resume at St. Francis Cathedral on Friday, October 9, 2026, beginning at 8:00 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Francis Cemetery No.2.