Terofil Gizelbach

Terofil John Gizelbach was born on April 27, 1929, in Williamstown, New Jersey to Alexander and Eve Gizelbach. The youngest of eleven brothers and sisters, “TJ” attended Glassboro high school, where he played football and once scored the winning touchdown against Woodbury High, Glassboro’s biggest rival. After graduating in 1947, TJ’s natural athletic ability and love of baseball led to his recruitment as a shortstop by the Moultrie Athletics, a farm team of the Philadelphia Athletics. Though he did not make the team, he met the legendary manager, Connie Mack during tryouts, and once, while pinch hitting, hit a double pop fly over second base.

Following Moultrie, TJ joined the navy in 1948 and shipped out from Norfolk, Virginia

on the “Albamarle” (AV-5), a Seaplane Tender. Transferred in 1949 to the Aircraft Carrier

“Leyte” (CV 32), TJ sailed to the Mediterranean, Portugal, Italy, Lebanon, and the Suez Canal before heading to Korea with the outbreak of war as part of Task Force 77. Once, while serving onboard the Leyte, as an engineman on the ship’s launch, TJ had the pleasure of ferrying a young Elizabeth Taylor to the carrier—the favorite of his navy “stories.” In 1951, TJ was reassigned to the Carrier Escort “Badoeng Straight” (CVE-116), where he served as Sergeant of Arms in what was essentially the carrier’s police force. Despite being urged by the ship’s Captain to become “regular navy,” TJ opted to end his naval career, and finished his final tour of duty in April 1952, helping to bring an LSSL (150-foot gunboat) to Tokyo as part of a program to rebuild the Japanese Navy.

After the navy, TJ went to college in Arizona on the G.I. Bill, attending the University of Arizona and Arizona State University before moving to Austin, Texas in 1956 to attend the University of Texas. Graduating with a bachelor’s degree from UT in 1958, TJ served as a parole officer for several years before joining the Gary Job Corps program in San Marcos in 1964. Part of the Job Corps program established by President Lyndon Johnson to “help young people ages 16 through 24 to improve the quality of their lives through vocational and academic training aimed at gainful employment and career pathways,” the Gary Job Corps program—which is still in operation today—owed its success in no small part to TJ’s contributions as one of the camp’s first counselors. TJ stayed with Camp Gary through the 60’s until he accepted a position with the Office of the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division, where—after moving back to Austin—he worked as a manager until his retirement—his sharp mind, sound judgement, and dedication to the justice system allowing him to survive numerous administration changes. An avid and gifted athlete, TJ enjoyed sports and outdoor activities in his free time. As an expert amateur golfer, TJ played into his 90s, the weekends often finding him on the local drive range or golf course for a brisk 18 holes, and once sunk a hole in one. TJ also liked visiting relatives, fishing, hunting, pool, travel, reading, grilling in the back yard, and made a mean green beans sauteed in garlic at the holidays. Moving from Austin to New Braunfels, Texas in late 2019, TJ passed on January 2, 2023, at the age of 93.

He is survived by brother Felix Gizelbach and his wife Vilma; son Terofil Gizelbach, his wife Michele, and granddaughter Tatiana Gizelbach; daughter Tanya Gizelbach Rogers, and granddaughters Abigail Rogers and Allison Rogers; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Private services for immediate family members will be held on January 25, 2023, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.