Mr. Thomas Henry Nobis Jr. (Tommy), also known as “Mr. Falcon”, “Big Red”, “Huckleberry Finn with muscles”, “Gentle Giant”, “Papa”, age 74, of Sandy Springs, Georgia, passed away at his home with his wife by his side on December 13, 2017 after fighting a long illness. Tommy’s wife, Carolyn Edwards Nobis, was his college sweetheart at the University of Texas and they were married on June 17, 1967. They celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 2017. A native Texan, Tommy was born on September 20, 1943 in San Antonio, Texas to parents Thomas Henry Nobis Sr and Sadie Lee Williams. Tommy will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Carolyn and his children, Tommy III (Mindy), Kevin (Mandi), and Devon (Jason). Tommy will also be fondly remembered by his eight grandchildren, Hunter, Austin, Dylan, Lauren, Oliver, Cheney, Taylor, and Sela, by his sister, Barbara Nobis Murphy (Jack). Tommy was predeceased by his brother Joseph Wayne Nobis (1948 – 1968). Tommy was a professional football player who started his career at Jefferson High School in San Antonio, Texas. His outstanding high school play led him to the University of Texas where he had the opportunity to play for the legendary coach Darrel Royal. While at the University of Texas, his accomplishments included being a 2- time All American (once for offense and once for defense), 1965 Outland Trophy winner (for best college interior lineman), and was named the 1965 Maxwell Trophy winner (for the best college football player in the country). In 1965, Tommy made the cover of Sports Illustrated and Life Magazine. Tommy was inducted into the Texas Longhorn Hall of Honor, is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, the State of Texas Hall of Fame, the San Antonio Hall of Fame, and a member of the Thomas Jefferson High School Alumni Hall of Fame. Following his career at the University of Texas he was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons making him the first player selected in the 1966 NFL draft and the first ever player drafted by the Atlanta Falcons organization in the inaugural 1966 season. Over his 11 seasons Tommy earned 5 trips to the NFL Pro Bowls (1966-68, 1970,1972), was named to the Associated Press First-team All-Pro selection (1967), the NFL 1960’s All-Decade team, the Sports Illustrated All-Century team (1869-1969), received the Walter Camp Football Foundation award. In 1976, Tommy retired from the NFL as a player and no other Atlanta Falcon player has worn the #60 since he took it off. After his playing days, Tommy remained with the Atlanta Falcons organization. He is forever grateful to the Smith family for the opportunity of being a part of the Atlanta Falcons organization for over 40 years. From 1965 to 1970, Tommy was a member of the Georgia National Guard. Earning a Marksman Badge with rifles and an Expert Badge with M-14 rifles. In 1969, Tommy joined some of his peers like Dan Reeves, Joe Namath, and Jim Otto to take part in the NFL/USO tour that visited the US troops in Vietnam. An experience Tommy says changed his life. Tommy accomplished many things on the football field but his legacy will be what he did off the field after his playing days. During his NFL playing days and after retiring from football Tommy was a co-founder of the Georgia Special Olympics. For his work and dedication to the Georgia Special Olympics, Tommy was honored by receiving the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Award. In 1977, Tommy was the co-founder of the Tommy Nobis Center (Nobis Works). Since 1977, the Tommy Nobis Center (Nobis Works) has helped more than 25,000 people with disabilities find and keep meaningful jobs and today is Georgia’s second largest nonprofit employer of individuals with disabilities. The Tommy Nobis Center (Nobis Works) gives those who have been labeled with a disability the tools to create purpose and meaning in their lives. In 2008, Tommy was the recipient of WXIA-TV Community Service Award for his Outstanding Contribution to the Community. Other community involvements include the Buckhead 50 Club, a member of the Buckhead Rotary, the Touchdown Club of Atlanta, Texas Exes, and a member of the NFL Alumni. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Tommy Nobis will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Tommy Nobis Center (Nobis Works) 1480 Bells Ferry Road Marietta, GA. 30066
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