Thomas R. Sokol

Tom made his first appearance in the small Pennsylvania town of Indiana, gracing parents Joseph and Dorothy Sokol and thriving with siblings Ed, Dave, and Christina. Growing up, art was always his passion, though he worked several summers with his father in the coal mines, assisting with survey work.

He went on to attend Penn State University majoring in Architecture with a semester abroad at the London School of Architecture. At Penn State he met the love of his life Marian while working in her girls' dorm dining hall. (He loved that story). The romance blossomed, and they married right out of college.

Shortly after (when their plans to work with the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic were derailed), Tom went into Air Force Officers Training, shipping out to Vietnam for a year at the start of the Tet Offensive with the Red Horse Squadron. He then transferred to a deployment in Japan with his bride, where they had three years of Far East adventures, resulting in son Erik, daughter Saja and an MBA from the University for Hawaii. They then relocated to Bryan/College Station for Tom to garner a second Masters in Urban Planning from Texas A&M.

After graduating, the family settled in San Antonio, which became their home for the next 50 years. Tom began his four decade architecture career with Kinnison Architects, eventually transitioning to WestEast Design. His main project of pride was working as the lead architect for the U.S. Army Medical Department Museum. He served as 1983 President of the San Antonio Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and Advisory Director to the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and the Builder's Exchange of Texas.

World travel was a passion, starting with backpacking around Europe when the kids were grown and evolving into more elaborate global escapades over the years - St. Petersburg Winter Palace, the Great Wall of China, Eiffel Tower, Istanbul's Blue Mosque, Singapore's National Orchid Garden and others, plus many cruises. Tom always had Marian on his arm (when he wasn't trying to catch up with her!) and often also had Saja, granddaughter Jules (who Tom and Marian raised from age 10) and grandson Chance in tow.

Tom was a modern Renaissance Man: Skilled painter and watercolor artist, Master of all Dad Arts and home repair, guitarist and banjo player, gardener, avid reader and crossword puzzle decipher and retainer of all kinds of amazing knowledge. Over the years, he dedicated many hours to volunteering for Meals on Wheels, Christmas in April/Rebuilding Together, playing bluegrass in nursing homes and teaching elementary art classes and architecture in high schools. He also served as a board member for the Miller Child Development Center and Providence Home for babies with AIDS in earlier years.

Tom is survived by his wife of 57 years Marian; children, Erik and Saja and Saja’s husband Michael Joganic. Grandchildren Juliette and Chance brought so much joy and pride to his life; and former daughter-in -law Rhonda Easterly always made him smile. Tom’s brother, Dave and sister, Christina and her husband Loudon remained close. Siblings - in law via Marian are Chester and Elaine Herbert and Alice and Wade Nofziger, which always led to cross-country reunions. There are more than 20 beloved nieces, nephews, and their own children in multiple states. Though geographically far flung, the extended family remained close, and Tom always loved a gathering of the clans for weddings and other festivities. Rounding out the family and much loved by Tom were his grand dogs Jack, Kitt and Beckett and brat cat Kiki.

Tom died after a 19- month battle with pancreatic cancer. The family is grateful to the START Cancer Center and Embrace Hospice for exemplary care. A small family service and burial with military honors will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on February 3rd for immediate family, to be followed later by a mass with extended family and celebration of life later this year. In lieu of flowers or food for the family, please celebrate Tom's quiet, kind spirit by brightening the lives of the elderly or those struggling with a similar kind gesture.