Thomas H Toler

On November 9, 2022, after a prolonged battle with pancreatic cancer, Thomas H. (Tom) Toler went to be with his Lord and Savior. He was born in Dallas, Tx on October 5, 1933, graduated from Austin High School in 1952 and the University of Texas in 1957 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. Soon after graduation, Tom married Austinite, Gayle Anderson, with whom he shared 65 years of marriage. While serving in the US Army 980th Corp. of Engineers, Tom was employed with Cessna Aircraft and York Corporation. In 1962 he began 29 years with Houston Lighting and Power. Tom was a Registered Professional Engineer, and served as President of ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers), where he received the prestigious Lincoln Bouillon Medallion, also was President of BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association) and a member of The Boy Scouts of America.

After early retirement, Tom and Gayle updated the Anderson family home in Tarrytown, returned to the church that he and his parents helped support in its infancy, the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. Tom served as a docent at the Bob Bullock Texas History Museum and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. He volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, AGE Computer Learning Center, and helped start the Neighborhood Watch Program on his street. He is survived by his loving wife, Gayle Anderson Toler, daughters, Sandra Gayle Toler and Debra Toler King and Vernon King; his sister, Terry Toler Huxford, dearest friends, Don Pichinson, June Byrnes and Terry Tirado, beloved grandchildren, Thomas Alves (Kendra), great grandchildren, Lyra Grace and Westley Benjamin Alves; Callender grandchildren, Amy E. Jones (TJ), Andrew Dean and Aaron Toler, brother-in-law, Bobby Anderson of Austin, Tx., Anderson nephews and niece, Bo (Susan), Scott, Stephen (Cathy), Jeff, Chris (Melissa), Lori (Van), and Randy (Lisa); cousin Jean Sommerfield, and many other cousins.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd at 10:30 a.m., 3201 Windsor Road, Austin, TX 78703.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Tom’s memory to the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd or to any organization for which Tom volunteered. Tom may be gone from my sight but never from my heart. He was my sunshine!