In the early morning hours of November 16, 2023, Frank Thomas “Tom” Hearst Jr., of Dallas, Texas, passed away peacefully. Tom lived every day of his life with a kind heart and gentle spirit. In the days prior to his death, wife Donna and son Max were able to connect deeply with Tom.
Born June 1, 1941, in Kansas City, Missouri, and raised in Dallas, Texas, he was the son of Frank Thomas Hearst Sr., and Lucille Ann Gilleylen Hearst. The majority of his childhood days were spent on Nash Street; he and his childhood friends, known lovingly as the notorious Nash Street Gang, grew up roaming the creeks and defending tree forts in the woods adjacent to Love Field in Dallas. Tom graduated from North Dallas High School in 1958 and at the young age of 17 signed on for 6 years in the Navy. He was a member of a specially trained team that built, tested and operated the world’s first nuclear powered frigate, the USS Bainbridge. After the Navy, Tom attended and graduated from the University of Arlington. He was hired by Mobil Oil Corporation and spent 26 years as a cartographer, a maker of maps. He pioneered and developed interactive programs that brought mapping into the digital age. Tom’s expertise at Mobil involved projects in the U.S., Norway, and United Kingdom. After an early retirement from Mobil, he joined DeGolyer and MacNaughton, World Wide Petroleum Consultants. Tom was driven by problem solving and worked until he was 75 years old.
At home, in addition to house and yard maintenance, Tom would often be found reading history books while listening to classical music with a cat, or two, in his lap. He took the Hearst family on many adventures, exploring the great American west. He actively supported his son Max growing up in Boy Scouts, theater, and choir. Tom will be remembered for being strong and handsome, intelligent with a quick wit, curious, adventurous, generous, supportive, and especially tenderhearted.
He is survived by: his wife, Donna Robinson; his son, Thomas Maxwell Hearst and wife Amber; his grandson, Freddie; his sister, Margaret Hearst Cassells and husband William; his nephew, Clay Cassells and wife Michelle; sister-in-law, Winfrey Rogers Hearst; niece, Alison Hearst and husband Kris. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Thomas Hearst Sr., and Lucille Ann Gilleylen Hearst; and his brother, Robert David Hearst. He was embraced with open arms and will forever be loved by wife Donna’s family as well. To all who knew him, he will be missed.
Please join us in celebrating Tom’s life and honoring his memory. Memorial service, December 9th, Saturday, 10:00AM, St. James Episcopal Church, 9845 McCree Rd., Dallas, Tx 75238.
