Thomas “Toppy” Howard Hold was born on the 5th day of June 1930 to Charles F. Hold and Tilda Paralee Hold in Killeen, Texas. Toppy grew up in Killeen and graduated from Killeen High School in 1948. One of his favorite young memories was playing football for the Killeen Kangaroos. After graduation, Toppy attended Tarleton State University. He returned to Killeen and married his high school sweetheart Marlene Thornton and they had three daughters; Janna, Debra and Tamera. A successful entrepreneur all his life, Toppy’s first businesses, Hold Glass & Mirror and Hold Real Estate were located in Killeen. In 1964, Toppy moved his family to Houston, Texas, and he opened Action Jewelry & Loan followed by Spring Branch Jewelry & Loan and Space City Jewelry and Loan. These successful pawnshops were the first of many more that he would own in the ensuing years in Houston and surrounding areas along with other business interests.
Toppy married Eva Torres with whom he had two children, Michael and Elizabeth. He had a passion for hunting, fishing and travel. Toppy traveled the world and spent time at his ranches with Eva and his children and grandchildren. His most enduring quality was his love and care for Eva and his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and extended family. Notwithstanding his business success, Toppy remained humble and lived his life in a simple way. He spent his life helping many people in one kind of need or another over the years. Toppy had many friends who will always remember his charismatic personality and how he possessed a special spark of life, which he brought to his family and friends. His bond of friendship has been lifelong with many people. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and was a major supporter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Killeen in honor of his brother William Richard Hold who died serving his country during WWII.
Toppy was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Tilda Hold, his brother, William Richard Hold, first wife, Marlene Hold, daughter, Elizabeth Hold Reyna and grandson Evan Louis Reyna.
He is survived by his wife, Eva Hold; his children, Michael D. Hold and his wife, Christell; Tammy Ross and her husband, Chip; Debra Teflos; Janna Ward and her husband, Don; his grandchildren, Rachel Ross Durcan and her husband, John, Michael Evan Hold, Henry Wilson, Bonny Teflos, John Thomas Teflos, Melanie Wilson, Clare Wheeler, Will Wheeler and his wife, Maureen, Russell Ward and his wife, Erica; his great grandchildren, Audrie Albertelli, Noah Martinez, Briella Martinez, Hayden Ward, Audrey Ward, Sammy Wheeler, Austin Wheeler and Kylie Wheeler.
Visitation will be held Thursday, June 21, 2018 from 5:30pm-8:00pm at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home. A Rosary will be recited at 6:30pm. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, June 22, 2018 at 11:00am at St. Jerome Catholic Church, 8825 Kempwood, Houston, Texas 77080 followed by a reception.
The Committal Service will be Friday, June 22, 2018 at 1:30pm at Memorial Oaks Cemetery.
