Tom Jeffrey Stollenwerck

Tom was born on July 23, 1940, in Hillsboro, Texas, the only child of Sam Stollenwerck and Frances Lentz. Tom moved to Waco at the age of five. Tom was a proud Waco High School Tiger and served as quarterback of the Waco Tigers for all four years of high school. Tom made lifelong friends in Waco that he considered his "brothers." Tom then followed in the Stollenwerck tradition and attended Southern Methodist University. He graduated from SMU with a B.B.A. in 1962. As an undergrad he was a Cycn Fjodr Serf and a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity where he added more 'brothers' to his life. Tom graduated from the SMU School of Law in 1965 and was a board member of the Southwestern Law Review and a member of the Phi Alpha Delta fraternity. Tom spent some of his happiest days cheering on his beloved Ponies. Nothing could be more fitting for Tom than for the end of his life to come during the renaissance of SMU football-something he had prayed mighty hard for! But his most important SMU experience happened during his junior year when he met the love of his life, Natalie Greene, of Columbus, Ohio. Natalie and Tom married on June 8, 1963, and have a wonderful love story. They were together 64 years, married for 61 years, building a beautiful life, including his three bright lights: Jeff, Jaxie and Kate. Tom relished in being a father-having lost his own at the age of twenty-one. He attended all of their sporting events, piano recitals, dance recitals, parents' weekends, took them on trips, and proudly saw them graduate from some of the finest universities in the country. He adored his daughter-in-law, Allyson, and son-in-laws, Alex and Kris, and absolutely delighted in what he called the "Magnificent 7"- his seven beloved grandchildren: Logan, Harry, Penny, Cooper, Walker, Luka, and Jaxie. His grandkids adored their "Stolly." And, in the last few years, his #1 best friend in life was his dog, Ranger. Tom had a distinguished legal career, spanning over forty-five years. He tried over three hundred lawsuits during that time and could deliver a closing argument that could convince you to buy oceanfront property in Arizona! He was a partner at Touchstone, Bernays, Johnston, Beall, & Smith and counts those men as "brothers" who helped him build one of the best defense practices in Dallas. He was a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Dallas Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Federation of Insurance and Corporate Counsel, and was a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. Tom spent most every Saturday for years at the Dallas Athletic Club, playing golf with his "buddies," that also became "brothers." Tom enjoyed numerous golf trips with great friends to play some of the most difficult and elite courses in this country. He had (3) hole-in-one's that he could walk you through in painstaking detail. His ability to remember every nuance of each course he ever played was truly remarkable. Tom was a lifelong Methodist and a longtime member of Highland Park United Methodist Church. After retirement, Tom and Natalie found a fellowship with wonderful new friends in their Sunday school classes, and Tom became "brothers" with many of the men he befriended at church. Tom was also active in the Park Cities Club, Rotary Club of Downtown Dallas, the Uptown Exchange Club, and the Garden of the Gods Club in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Tom served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Exodus Ministries and served on the Board of Directors of the Dallas Athletic Club. Tom loved this country deeply. Tom served in the Texas National Guard 36th Division and later transferred to the United States Navy Jag Corps, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Tom loved Elvis Presley, The Eagles, the Dallas Mavericks, the Texas Rangers, the Tom Landry Cowboys, Larry McMurtry novels, playing bridge, Seinfeld, Cheers, Jeopardy, Snickers candy bars, pimento and cheese sandwiches, a good ribeye, a cold beer, and a nice glass of red wine. But most of all, he loved the great state of Texas! "Fun-loving Tom" was a masterful storyteller, quick-witted and clever, and loved a good joke. He was joyful, exuberant, and always happy and proud of those he loved. Our world darkened but we know he is with his Father and in the light. Tom has gone home to heaven to be with his parents and so many of his "brothers" that he adored. A Celebration of Tom's Life will be held on Thursday, October 31 at 10:00 am at Highland Park United Methodist Church sanctuary.