Thomas Edward Bole

Born January 22, 1934 in Sharon, PA., Tom enjoyed playing sports at Sharon H.S. He excelled in football, basketball and baseball. He joined the USAF in 1952 with basic training at Sampon AFB in Geneva, New York. He went through police training in Savanna, GA and was then assigned to such places as Rapid City, ND; Norton AFB, CA; Korea in 1953; Grand Prairie, TX; Everude France; Bolling Field, DC; Woodbridge England and then to RAFB in San Antonio, TX in 1963. He spent 1965-66 in Vietnam before returning to San Antonio as a Security Police Instructor at Lackland AFB and then Randolph AFB. He was sent to Eielson AFB in Alaska where he retired in 1976. Tom worked on the Alaska Pipeline for a year before returning to San Antonio, where he attended Southwest Texas State University in 1981 earning a degree in Vocational Education. He taught law enforcement at Madison High School until 1986, and then worked at the US Postal Service until his retirement in 1996. He spent ten years substitute teaching at Madison HS until 2006. Tom always loved working with young people and he enjoyed coaching Pop Warner Football from 1968-1973 and again in 1977. He also coached baseball and basketball in RAFB youth programs.

During his retirement years Tom enjoyed playing golf with wife Bonnie and made a hole-in-one at RAFB golf course in 2002. He and Bonnie were active members of the Heart of Texas Greyhound Adoption group, making many close friendships within the group, and loved spending time with their adopted greyhounds. Tom often said that his beloved greyhounds kept him going in his later years. He and Bonnie, born again Christians, are members of Community Bible Church.

Tom is preceded in death by parents, John Bole and Claire Bole Stauffer, and grandson Matthew Bole. He is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Bonnie; sons Thomas, Christopher, Mark, Terry, and Daniel Bole, Kevin and Darren Stelter; grandchildren Richard, Kiel, Laegan, Douglas, Christopher, John, Steven, Shane, Jade Katie, Daniel, and Sam Bole, Amanda and Dillon Stelter; great-grandchildren Brandon and William; brother Charles Bole, his wife Barbara and their children Charles and Bonnie, step-brother Kenneth Bole and wife Dahline and their daughter Lindsay, and step mother Dorothy Bole.

Tom will be remembered as a generous, loving man who always enjoyed being around young people and children. Beneath that sometimes rough exterior was a heart of gold and a treasure to all fortunate enough to have known him.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 2011

6:00 P.M.

PORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH

Donations may be made to the Heart of Texas Greyhound Association, 24430 Camp Site Road, San Antonio, Tx 78264.