Tomas Martinez Vasquez

There are some people whose lives are measured not by the years they are given, but by the love they leave behind.

Tomas "Tom" Vasquez was one of those people.

On June 22, 2026, surrounded by the love of a family he spent a lifetime building. Tom peacefully entered into the presence of the Lord. While our hearts are broken by his absence, Heaven has welcomed home a faithful servant, a devoted husband, a loving father, a proud Marine, a gifted teacher, an extraordinary artist, and a man whose greatest masterpiece was the family he cherished.

Tom was born on a hot day in July of 1951. From the very beginning, he possessed a quiet strength that would define his life. He understood hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance long before those words ever needed to be spoken. He became the first in his family to graduate from high school, proving that determination and fortitude could open doors no circumstance could close.

When his country called during the Vietnam War, Tom answered without hesitation by volunteering to serve in the United States Marine Corps. The discipline, courage, and honor he carried as a Marine never left him. They became part of the husband, father, grandfather, and man he would become.

But of all the titles he carried throughout his life, none meant more to him than husband.

Returning home, he worked tirelessly, saved every dollar he could, and respectfully asked for the hand of the woman who had captured his heart-Mercy Vasquez. After winning over the love and respect of her family, on December 20, 1970, Tom and Mercy began a marriage built not simply on love, but on faith, loyalty, laughter, forgiveness, and an unshakable commitment to one another.

Together they built a home where love was never questioned.

They raised four children-Lorretta Vasquez, Marcia Vasquez, Tommy Louis Vasquez, and Alexander John Vasquez-teaching them not only with words, but by the example of their own lives. They taught honesty, humility, loyalty, compassion, and above all, that family always comes first.

To his children, there was never a problem their dad couldn't solve.

Before becoming "Papo," Tom worked as a professional carpet layer. He took enormous pride in providing for his family through honest, difficult work. Long before YouTube tutorials or internet searches, he somehow knew how to repair almost anything. If something was broken, everyone simply said, "Give it to Dad." More often than not, he would smile, roll up his sleeves, and somehow make it whole again.

That gift extended far beyond tools.

Tom had an imagination unlike anyone else. He was an artist in every sense of the word -a gifted painter, illustrator, writer, poet, and storyteller. His notebooks became worlds of their own, filled with unforgettable characters and original adventures that only his family had the privilege of experiencing. His celebrity impersonations became legendary around the dinner table. His sense of humor could leave everyone laughing until tears filled their eyes.

There truly was never a dull moment in the Vasquez home.

Some nights the family became the cast of Grease. Other evenings they pulled on cowboy boots to learn every step of the famous Urban Cowboy dance. Music filled the house. Laughter echoed through every room.

Tom believed that life should be lived with passion. He was an accomplished runner who completed several marathons, including the American Heart Association Marathon. Years later, he returned to school, graduated cum laude from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor's degree in Education, and became a teacher until health challenges led him into retirement.

Even then, he never stopped creating. He wrote stories, painted beautiful artwork, and sketched portraits of the people he loved most-especially Mercy.

Faith was the foundation upon which Tom built his life. Alongside Mercy, he faithfully attended church every Sunday, participated in Bible studies, joined prayer groups, and became a true prayer warrior. His love for God overflowed naturally into his love for others.

Then came one of the greatest blessings of his life: becoming "Papo." Every grandchild and great-grandchild was welcomed with overwhelming love. He was blessed to meet fourteen great-grandchildren.

Tom's life was defined by integrity, humility, compassion, faith, service, laughter, creativity, sacrifice, and unconditional love.

His memory will live on in every story shared around the dinner table, every portrait hanging on a wall, every lesson passed down to future generations, and every prayer whispered in difficult times.

His work here is finished. His race has been run. His faith has become sight.

Although our hearts ache beyond words, we find peace knowing that the man who spent his entire life taking care of everyone else is finally resting in the eternal embrace of Jesus Christ.

Until we meet again, Dad...

Thank you for teaching us what unconditional love looks like.

Thank you for showing us how to work hard, laugh often, forgive freely, remain humble, and trust God completely.

We will miss your stories.

We will miss your laughter.

We will miss your voice.

But most of all, we will miss you.

Rest peacefully, Tom.

Your love lives on through Mercy, your children Tommy Louis, Alex, Lorretta, and Marcia, your grandchildren, your great-grandchildren, and every life you touched.

You will forever be our husband. Our hero.

Our Daddy.

Our Papo.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." - Matthew 25:23

Visitation will be held at Funeraria Del Angel Trevino Funeral Home, 226 Cupples Road, San Antonio, TX 78237, on July 7, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm, with the Rosary at 6:00 pm.

A Processional will depart from the funeral home at 12:00 pm for The Mass of the Resurrection that will take place at Resurrection of the Lord, 7990 Military Dr W, San Antonio, TX 78227, on July 8, 2026, at 12:30 pm, followed by a Committal service with Military Honors at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209.