Thomas Raymond Stiles

Thomas Raymond Stiles went home to be with the Lord on March 6, 2014. He was preceded in death by his parents Charles M. and Myrtle Fellers Stiles, his brother Charles and wife Jill, his sister Lucille Whiteley and husband William and one granddaughter Rene'. He is survived by 7 children, Kathy Richerson, Charlene Stiles, Christine Duncan, Randall Thomas (wife Sherry), Marsha Kim Stiles Podhajsky (partner Paula), Clanie, and Gary (wife Kim). 22 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. Thomas was born in Burnet County off of Briggs Road just a few miles from where his home place is today. He remembered leaving there in a wagon as a small child when they moved to Jonah. He went to school in Jonah through the ninth grade and then to Georgetown High School where he played football and worked in Newmans Store. Thomas joined the Marine Corps in 1939, and then transitioned into the Navy in 1941. He came home on his first leave on the way to Pearl Harbor. When he arrived, his ship had been sunk and all of his records went down on the ship. He went into submarines as a corpsman and saved many lives. He served his country through three wars. He retired from the Navy as a Commander in 1969. He made many lifelong friends. He bought his ranch in 1946 and married his wife of 59 years Wilma "Tootsie" Cole. He always described her as the most beautiful girl in the country and always felt so lucky to have married her. He loved children especially small children and babies. He was so proud of his children he took them to work with him back when there was no "take your child to work day". He also helped them with their homework, took them hunting and fishing. Thomas was the perfect example of a good shepherd. He took good care of his family, treated other people with respect, paid his bills on time and took good care of his animals and his fences. He loved unconditionally. If you were in trouble he was there to help. He was a big hugger and when he thought you were making a mistake he would write you a nice long letter. His grandchildren have many fond memories of time spent with him on the ranch, swimming in the creek and riding in the back of the pickup. He was a perfect example of how to live in this world and will be greatly missed. Thomas was a member of First Baptist Church, Florence Texas, and a sixty year member of Port Royal Masonic Lodge #242, AF&AM, in Port Royal South Carolina. He also served as a director of the Texas Farm Bureau for many years after his retirement. The family wishes to express their appreciation to all the doctors, nurses and staff of the VA Health Care System in Temple and especially to the Hospice for their excellent care. The best nurses in the whole world work in the VA Hospice in Temple." Thomas' family will gather for visitation on Friday, March 14, 2014 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at The Gabriels Funeral Chapel, 393 North IH 35, Georgetown, Texas. A service celebrating Thomas' life will be held at 1:00PM on Saturday, March 15, 2014 in the chapel at The Gabriels Funeral Chapel with Brother Roy Smith officiating. Thomas will be laid to rest next to his love, Wilma Stiles at the Liberty Hill Cemetery in Liberty Hill. Honoring Thomas' memory serving as pallbearers will be Sean Richerson, Clinton Wayne Duncan, Glen Williams, Troy Roberts, Cody Cox, and Steve Beck. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Stiles, Pat Stiles, Clanie Stiles, Jr., Cliff Duncan, Curtis Evans, Brent Tucker, and John Kirkhorn.