Tom was born to Thomas Daly Ruland and Emma Barnes Ruland on February 14, 1941 in Houston, Texas. Tom grew up in Spring Branch and graduated from Spring Branch High School and earned a BS in Chemistry from University of Houston.
While attending High School, Tom met the love of his life, Nan Morley Ruland, and they were married in 1961. Tom started his career in the paint industry with Lambert and continued a long successful career with several other paint companies that included Cook Paint and Varnish, Product Coatings and Intercoastal Paint Company.
Some of Tom’s favorite hobbies were fishing, hunting, custom rod making and candy making. He loved to share all these things with his children, grandchildren and friends. You could find Tom and Nan in Galveston enjoying their time with family and friends, making shrimp nachos and a “Pirates Booty” in the loudest Hawaiian shirt he could find.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Norman Ruland and Norman’s wife Mona. He leaves behind his wife of 62 years Nan and children Bill (Susan) Ruland of Franklin, Texas, Tommy (Melissa) Ruland of Jewett, Texas and Emy (Brian) Duke of Cypress, Texas. 7 Grandchildren; Mark (Savannah) Ruland of Franklin, Texas; Joseph (Taylor) Ruland of Normangee, Texas; Zachary Duke of Hockley, Texas; Elizabeth Duke of Hockley, Texas; Morgan Ruland of Cypress, Texas; Emma Ruland of Temple, Texas; and Mary Ruland of Jewett, Texas. One great grandson, Kyler Erne of Temple, Texas; and his brother Mike Ruland of Austin, Texas.
Serving as pallbearers for the funeral will be Mark Ruland, Joseph Ruland, Zachary Duke, Ron Deeter, Joel Deeter and Caleb Deeter
