Tom Kaufman

Tom "Tommy" Kaufman, a ray of sunshine and nature and sports enthusiast, passed away on Sunday, August 21, 2022, at age 90. A lifelong resident of San Antonio, Tom was born to parents, Karleen Wilma Hammer and Leon Brown Kaufman on February 6, 1932. As a young man, Tom attended TMI and worked downtown at the iconic Kaufmans store which his grandfather founded in 1892. He graduated with a business degree from the University of Texas at Austin, after beginning his studies at the University of Illinois where he pledged ZBT fraternity and became the U of I Table Tennis champion. Tom was very close to his father and his only sibling, Jack, and while Tom was stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground, he joined his father at the White House to visit his dads coaching buddy, President Dwight Eisenhower.

After the military, Tom became a stockbroker with Bache & Co. and later E.F. Hutton and loved spending his free-time playing or watching sports, enjoying the outdoors, and being with family and friends. He was a fixture at the Jack Kaufmans house, undeniably his second family home, and he remained close to his nieces and nephews throughout his life. He made friends easily because of his honest, cheerful, and easy-going manner, as well as a broad smile and his captivating baby-blue eyes. Many young children in San Antonio knew him as Coach Kaufman, during the many years he coached little league football. He excelled at golf and tennis and was thrilled to play and win a tournament match with Australian tennis champion, Ken Rosewall.

Tom was a loving and inspirational father to his son, who will endeavor to honor his dad by carrying on his legacy of kindness, compassion for others, and always striving to do the right thing. Tom and his wife, Lainie, were devoted to each other, and their 13 years together were filled with love, travel, card games, laughter, and family. Tom was also a formidable bridge player, who was just a few points shy of becoming a Silver Life Master. Whether for his golf, tennis, or bridge partners, Tom always had a joke, story or trivia to share, but was burnt-orange serious when it came to supporting the Longhorns. He continued to play tennis 3 times a week until age 89, and on alternate days would deliver Meals on Wheels for Temple Beth-El with his friend Steve Kovner. His caring and uplifting spirit and presence will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by, his parents; loving wife, Elaine "Lainie" Kaufman; brother, Jack Hammer Kaufman; and sister-in-law, Estelle "Prissy" Kaufman. Tom is survived by his son, Warren Kaufman (Brian Allen); stepchildren, David, Steven (Patricia), Tommy (Alane), and Gregg (Shannon) Honigblum; grandchildren, Curtis (Claire), Stuart (Amy), Amanda, Jack, Leo, Sam, Zach, and Zoe; great-grandchildren, Grace and Eva; as well as nieces and nephews, Bill Kaufman, Karleen and Gary Kusin, Ann & David Engel; and special friends Madeline Utay, Leslie Harrison, Deborah Carney, Leslie De Hay, and Alicia Luevanos. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Jack and Estelle Kaufman Community Outreach Fund at Temple Beth El.

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