Thomas Carroll Gibbons

Tom was a lifelong proud Houstonian, born on July 14, 1947 as the youngest of four children to Joe and Helen Gibbons. He was raised in Garden Oaks, graduating from St Thomas High School (1965) and Sam Houston State University (1970). After college, Tom joined US Steel and spent his entire career in the oil business, most recently with National Oilwell Varco prior to his retirement in 2015. He left a trail of dear friends at work and play along the way, from The Dutchman in Garden Oaks in the 70s, Hearthstone Country Club in the 80s/90s, Coaches and Crazy Frogs on 290 in his later years. Tom was a true original, an urban cowboy before the term existed, unapologetically pairing his boots with suits throughout his career. He loved his classic country music, from Hank Sr to Johnny Cash to Willie and Waylon, and was a lifelong Astros and Oilers fan.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Helen, and sister Betty Kronberger. He is survived by an extended family – Brother Mike Gibbons (Barbara) of Marble Falls, TX, sister Mary Pat Efird (Joe) of Tulsa, OK, and brother-in-law Fritz Kronberger (Sharon) of Russellville, AR. Nieces and nephews, Pat Gibbons (Susan) of Houston, TX, Kevin Gibbons (Kelsi) of Tucson, AZ, Keith Gibbons of Houston, TX, Lydia Wilson (Scott) of Tulsa, OK, Kathy Frimel (Mike) of Wichita, KS, Helen Sparks (Dan) of Greenwich, CN, and Jennifer Overcast (Mike) of Jackson Hole, WY. Most importantly, he is survived by his longtime significant other, Susan Brown and daughter, Brianna of Sugar Land, TX.

He will be truly missed at Thanksgiving this year, where he always could be counted on to instigate the family card games and associated political discussions. We take comfort knowing that he is now engaged in a heated game of Pitch with his dad, Uncles Maury and Johnny and the rest of the Gibbons/Heim clan, with his beloved Irish setter, Rafferty, at his feet while his mom is fussing in the kitchen over them all. Godspeed, Tom.