Thomas Roger Joseph

JOSEPH, THOMAS ROGER, JR. ( 1926 ~ 2010)

The following obituary appeared in the Austin American Statesman on November 1, 2010.

Thomas Roger Joseph, Jr. moved into the full presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on October 30, 2010. A 4th generation Texan, he was a proud Texas rancher, banker, politician, deacon, husband and father. His personal motto was: "A hand to get and a heart to give"

Born in Houston, he graduated from high school in Harlingen and entered Texas A&M in 1942. He interrupted his studies to enlist in the Navy during WWII where he served two years on a destroyer in the Pacific front. After his discharge, he returned to A&M and graduated in 1948.

Tom then attended Baylor Law School and passed the State Bar in 1950. He was elected to the Texas State House of Representatives in a special election in 1951 where he served until 1958. He married Annette Reid in Iuka, Mississippi on December 29, 1956. They lived in the Austin area until 1971 then in Hamilton, Texas, for more than 30 years on the Tomanet Ranch where he was actively involved in real estate development and banking throughout Texas, ranching and serving his church.

Tom's personal motto was "A hand to get and a heart to give." He was committed to supporting many ministries with his time and money. Tom never met a stranger and had a gift for remembering names.

Tom is survived by his wife of more than 53 years, Annette; four children, Cynthia Lynn Staley, Thomas Reid Joseph, Roger Kirk Joseph and Cordelia "DeeDee" Annette Kaspar, 12 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren and 1 step great-grandchild; sister Elizabeth "Libby" Burnett and husband Wayne; brother, Don Joseph and wife, Dolly; and countless others who were introduced to Christ through his generosity. Serving as pallbearers are his 6 grandsons Dennis Chase Kaspar, Thomas Reid Joseph, Samuel Brychta, Colter Kaspar, Connor Joseph and Davis Brychta.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Campus Crusade for Christ, the Bill Glass Champions for Life or the American Heart Association.  A simple graveside service will be held at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin on Tuesday, November 2, 2010, at 12:00 noon. Obituary and guestbook available online at www.wcfish.com