Tommy O. Gilstrap Sr.

Tommy O. Gilstrap Sr., age 87, a resident of Corpus Christi, Texas and a former longtime resident of Kingsville, Texas passed away Saturday, January 29, 2011 in Corpus Christi. He was born on March 26, 1923 in Kingsville to Rice O. Gilstrap and Clara Riley Gilstrap. Mr. Gilstrap was employed by Champlin Petroleum as an oil/gas engineer until his retirement in 1985. He was a board member of the First United Methodist Church, Bishop, and the Bishop Independent School District. He graduated from Texas A&I College in 1949. Mr. Gilstrap was a U.S. Army/Air Corp veteran of World War II serving in the South Pacific as a B-25 pilot.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two daughters, Genette Lynn Wright and Annette Gilstrap Robinson; and son, Richard Lloyd Gilstrap.

Mr. Gilstrap is survived by his wife of 65 years, Corinne N. Gilstrap of Corpus Christi; two sons, Tommy O. (Kathie) Gilstrap Jr. of El Paso, Texas and James B. Gilstrap of Houston, Texas; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Visitation will take place on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Turcotte-Piper Mortuary with the family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church, 302 West Kleberg St., Kingsville, Texas with Rev. Chuck Miller officiating. Burial will follow in Kingsville at Chamberlain Cemetery with full military honors provided by the Veterans of Kleberg County Military Funeral Detail.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1551, Kingsville, Texas 78364.

Services are entrusted to Turcotte-Piper Mortuary, 205 General Cavazos Blvd., Kingsville, Texas.