Thomas C. Levine

Thomas C. "Tommy" Levine passed away June 12, 2005. He was a loving father, brother, uncle, devoted 33° Mason and member of Congregation Agudas Achim. Tommy as he was affectionately known by a multitude of family and friends was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 17, 1910, to Samuel and Meriam Levine. After growing up in Kansas City and a romance that went back to the time they played marbles on the sidewalk in front of her father's store, Tommy married his childhood sweetheart, Shirley Goldstein. Tommy and Shirley had two children, Sheldon and Marilyn both of whom live in San Antonio. Tommy was proceeded in death by his wife, Shirley, his parents, Samuel and Meriam Levine and his brothers,

Tommy and Shirley moved from Kansas City to San Antonio in 1935, during the great depression. They tried several things and upon the death of his father, in 1936, Tommy took over his Economy Boot and Shoe Repair, which he expanded into a retail and manufacturing business. His Aggie boots sold like "hotcakes". The specialty of Tommy's boot business was "hand made" western boots. He won the first place award for "the most beautiful boots in the United States" at a special show in Fort Worth, Texas.

When World War II broke out, Tommy tried to enlist in the service; however, his boot and shoe repair business was considered vital to the war effort. Due to rationing, the government told him how much leather to use and how many rows of stitching etc, per boot. This did not fit Tommy's eagerness for perfection.

In addition to full time work in his shoe and boot business, Tommy was a near 70 year member of congregation Agudas Achim, where he served as chairman of the Minyon Services for more that 50 years, was on the membership and fund raising committees, was Gabbai Shent, then Gabbai and most recently Gabbai Emeritis, Chairman of the ushering committee and was in charge of the bingo refreshment center and past President of the Agudas Achim Men's Club. He is most remembered for opening the doors, helping with the daily Minyons and any thing that would promote the "good" and "welfare" of the congregation.

Tommy's community interest do not stop at Agudas Achim. He was a member of the board of the Golden Manor Jewish Home for the Aged and was past President and a life member of

B'Nai-B'Rith Lodge 211. In addition, Tommy twice served as President of ZOA and was a life member of that organization. For more than 25 years, he was on the board of the Jewish Community Center and served as its Vice President and Treasure. He was twice President of the Hebrew Free Loan Association.

Tommy has been a member of the San Antonio Masonic Lodge #1079 for more sixty years and of the San Antonio Scottish Rite for nearly as long. Invested with the rank and decoration of the Knight Commander of the Court of Honour in 1961. He was Coroneted a 33 degree Inspector General Honorary in 1973. He has also held membership in Alzafar Shrine Temple and was past President of the San Antonio High Twelve Club. Tommy was roasted by The Scottish Rite at its 4th annual roast and he received the Coveted "Burning Bush" award from the Agudas Achim Men's Club.

Tommy is survived by his son, Sheldon; daughter, Marilyn; son-in-law, Cal Lemmon; two grandchildren, Gregory Lutherman and his wife, Marlene of Woodland Hills, California and Brad Lutherman and his wife, Dana of Houston, Texas; two great grandsons, Jake Lutherman, and Benjamin Lutherman of Woodland Hills, California, as well as numerous nephews and nieces.