Thomas Charles Brennan III

Thomas C. Brennan III A light was dimmed on earth, but Heaven rejoiced, as our Lord Jesus Christ unexpectedly called home His faithful servant, Thomas Charles "Tommy" Brennan III, a much beloved husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, uncle, cousin, friend, and mentor.

Tommy, 63, graduated from Houston's Lee High School, the University of Texas, and South Texas College of Law. He served as a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserves before starting his career at First Mortgage of Texas. Tommy showed his love of the Lord and others through his tireless work as past board chairman of Boys and Girls Country, past board chairman of the Post Oak YMCA (now Trotter Family YMCA), past chairman of the Metro YMCA Finance Committee, current YMCA of Houston Association Board Chair, and founder and manager of the "Jesus Terrones Education Fund." His career history includes partner at Allied Realty Services, Managing Partner of Lakeside Landing and Boat Storage, founder and owner of Brennan Interests, and Board of Directors of Wireless Metro. As an attorney and real estate broker he offered a lifetime of both solicited and unsolicited advice. Tommy was a member of the State Bar of Texas, Lakeside Country Club, Grace Presbyterian Church, and Sigma Chi Fraternity.

He was a true Renaissance man. He was proud of the fact that he was the PeeWee Golf Champion of Houston. In 1965 his high school was awarded the best stage band and Tommy the best individual drummer in Texas, and shortly thereafter, playing with The Gentrys, won a "Battle of the Bands" versus The King's Five. While working full-time he helped pay his way through law school by playing professionally with the Gene and Jo Ford Group. He loved music, especially jazz and anything by Frank Sinatra, and always sought out opportunities to grace any band that would allow him to sit in on the drums. One of his endeavors took him to the South Pacific to investigate the Amelia Earhart mystery with his father. Their findings were later featured on The History Channel as well as at his nephew's second grade show-and-tell.

As a man of loyalty, integrity, and honor, he lived by the motto "Quietly do the right thing" and he never failed to help anyone in need. Tommy loved the Lord, his family, his Friday afternoon golf group, his longtime friends from Sigma Chi, his home, The History Channel and all things historical, and the backyard where he cooked Saturday night steaks while "communing" with nature as he sipped his red wine.

He was proud of the fact that he was a part of the YMCA of Houston, and that it was the largest childcare provider in the city. His family and friends tried to abide Tommy's rule of no phone calls after nine p.m., but the unfortunate tell tales of his fury. Not graced with height on Earth, he was nicknamed "Too Tall," and we feel sure the Lord will bless him with a new 6'3" frame in Heaven.

He was preceded in death by his parents, the late Elizabeth Ann Wilcox and T.C. "Buddy" Brennan, Jr., aunt Molly Ann Brennan Smith and uncle Ed Smith. He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Nancy Grubbs Brennan; daughter Liz, son-in-law Chris, and precious granddaughter Charlotte Clearman; sister Susie and brother in-law Rick Freeman; uncle Jack and aunt Suzy Brennan; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Even in death Tommy continued to give to those in need. His organs have given the gift of time and life to people whom he will never meet, but whom he has truly blessed. We mourn the loss of our beloved Tommy, but Heaven's light is now brighter.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from half-past four o'clock this afternoon until half-past seven o'clock this evening, Friday, the 7th of January, in the Library and Grand Foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o'clock tomorrow morning, Saturday, the 8th of January, at Grace Presbyterian Church, 10221 Ella Lee Lane at the West Sam Houston Parkway in Houston, where the Rev. T. Douglas Ferguson, Senior Pastor, the Rev. Dr. David G. McKechnie, Pastor Emeritus, the Rev. Dr. Michael L. Frey, Associate Pastor, and the Rev. Dr. M. Douglas Harper, Parish Associate, are all to officiate.

Immediately following the service, all are invited to greet the family during a reception at the Lakeside Country Club.

For those desiring, contributions in Tommy's memory may be directed to the "Jesus Terrones Education Fund," In Care of: Aleta Corvelli, Allied Realty Services, 1455 West Loop South, Suite 800, Houston, TX, 77027; the YMCA Association of Houston, P.O. Box 3007, Houston, TX, 77253-3007; Grace Presbyterian Church, 10221 Ella Lee Ln., Houston, TX, 77042; or to Boys and Girls Country of Houston, 18806 Roberts Rd., Hockley, TX, 77447-9327.

"His Lord said unto him, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant.' " Matthew 25:21