This hurts. I was just looking him up to see what was going on nowadays. Dumb story (I was young). I remember having to dissect a fetal pig. Me and my "biology partner" sent it sliding into the sink next to us in front of two horrified girls. He cracked up, then scolded us. That man was gold as far as forming young minds. Hard guy, beautiful soul. I'm so sorry for your loss. That was one of the best teachers I've ever had in my life. Always there if you needed him, but wouldn't put up with BS. Taught me a lot about life.

I just found this and Im so sad. Mr. Stincic was my high school biology teacher. I was also his TA for 2 years. I hate science but I loved that class. I graduated in 98 and I still have such great memories of him, I was telling my son about him tonight so I thought about looking him up. My condolences to his family. Even after 26 years I still remember the impact he had!

Just found out that Mr. Stincic had passed. He was a very good man.  We lived down the street from him in the late 70s and one morning my mom was helping my brother deliver newspapers and two Dobermans attacked her.   Mr. S heard the ruckus and came out and basically saved her.  They had already bitten her and were not backing off until he got involved.  He was always so kind to the kids in the neighborhood, too.  Lovely man, so unassuming and low key.  Very sorry for the loss.

I miss my big brother so much every day. He was a rock for me and our whole family.  Sending love to you in heaven, Tom 

First and foremost, my condolences to his friends and family. I am truly sorry for your loss and saddened to hear this news.

I was a student of Mr. Stincic in biology at Chaparral in 2001. I remember the air hockey table in the back friends and I would play before class and the paper bags full of bagels. Also, when he discovered my interest in music, particularly classic rock. He let me peruse his crates of vinyl records in the closet. In return I'd run downstairs with a dollar he gave me and grab him a payday from the vending machine.

I wasn't the best student and definitely had no interest in biology back then. However, that didn't sway his determination to impact my life. Considering it's 20 years later and I'm Googling his name, I'd say he was successful. He was more than a teacher of specific subjects, but someone who's approval was sought after and admired. Like a parent or grand parent, you wanted to make him proud and certainly didn't want to disappoint. He was a teacher of life and its lessons, determined to positively impact his students, beyond the subject he may have been teaching. I'm grateful we crossed paths and will always remember Mr. Stincic. 



It was a terrible shock to me when I learned my friend Tom had passed.  We taught together for many years at Chaparral, but we became great friends by having lunch every day and making each other laugh.

I admired Tom so much for his football prowess, and it should be remembered he was one of the most successful Firebird Football coaches, guiding the team in the early 1980’s (I think).

When I retired I moved to Encinitas to just go surfing, Tom decided he’d visit me as he was on vacation in San Diego.  He started at Cardiff Reef, the southernmost surf beach in Encinitas and just started asking if any of the surfers knew an older surfer in his 50’s.  Someone soon told him there were a lot of those guys around, but he eventually found someone who knew me—I think about 4 beaches up—and showed up at my house.

Another Tom story is probably the greatest ever.  Tom, Joe English, and I were at an early in the year Parent hosted Meet the Teachers night at a parent’s house, and one of the parents called us over because another parent was bragging about playing for Michigan when the beat USC in the Rose Bowl.

After the bragging parent had finished the tale of their amazing goal line stand to win the game, of which he was the key part, another parent said to Tom, “I know you played for the Dallas Cowboys, where’d you play in college?”

Tom answered, “Well you know I played at Michigan, I was the defensive captain on that team that beat USC…” and he turned and looked at the other parent and quietly said, “…and I never saw your face in the huddle.”

We never saw that parent again, but that was so Tom Stincic…low key, dry and direct, and speaking truth.

He was a great man, I’m honored I was his friend.

I was recently reliving some high school memories and thought of Mr. Stincic. He taught biology at Chapparal HS while I attended in the mid 90s. He was one of my favorite teachers, he was always very nice to me. A couple of older kids were picking on me in class and Mr. Stincic was having no part of it. He got up and set those kids straight and they never bothered me again. I have always remembered this event and thought what a good man Mr. Stincic was for sticking up for me. I decided to google his name and came across this page. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. It is amazing to think how many lives he positively affected during his lifetime. May God rest his soul. 

Was my grandpa he was the best I miss him deeply


My uncle Tom was a model American man, NFL player, physics teacher, rancher, loving husband and father.  An all around Renaissance man. The type of man that is quickly becoming rare to find In this day and age.  His parting from this world is sad not only for his family, but for all men, as there is now one less great example of all that a man can be. He will be greatly missed. 

Tom was one of the first neighbors we met when we moved to the neighborhood.  Our family  loved seeing the young calves and of course the big steer in the Echols pasture. Tom always supported our community, signing petitions,  attending City meetings and was a great resource for advice on what to do and  who to contact.  We will miss him.  
Michelle & Gene McCroskey and family. 

Tom was a generous, funny and kind brother in law and though we had limited time together, the time we did share was always special. We had many common interests and I always enjoyed when visiting, the walks and talks on the property, feeding the animals , doing the daily chores,  working together as if we always had . Tom was a great person and will be deeply missed.

My Father Loved Tom! He was so so so helpful to him. Always with a smile and willing to help! Because of his love we also loved him because of his continual help for my father. 
Our thoughts and pray are for the  family and their loneliness they will have to endure.  May God be there to comfort!

Sharing our sadness, sending healing prayers and comforting hugs in this difficult time. Much love.

My amazing big brother. Such a loss for all of us. Words can never express what you mean to me. You will be in my heart forever.

A special hug to Carol and family....your Payson neighbors are sending their condolences learning of Tom's passing. We are all here for you. May Tom rest in peace. He will be missed for sure.

Our prayers are with Tom’s family going through the loss of their loved one. Tom was our go to guy when we needed cattle hauled to market . He was so knowledgeable and such a kind and gentle spirit. He will be missed by all!  Our condolences. 
Donna Tyler Campbell
Tyler Farms

Tom was a great friend to me as a boy before he moved to Arizona. 
He taught me and Carol about his shop. We learned everything.  With Fred and Brandy.
I had a dream last night about him where we had a blast as usual and decided to give him a call after such a great dream. 
I saw his obituary and felt he had paid me a visit to let me know it was all ok.
That's  how I know he's with the lord now. 
Life got busy and I wish I had more time with him.

I heard about Tom's passing from a mutual friend, Sean Robinson. All three of us lived on the same block of Aberdeen Ave. which is in the Preston Hollow neighborhood of Dallas, TX. Interestingly, I was relating an account of a when Tom gave me a bench press bench when he was moving away, I guess to New Orleans back in his football days. I still have the bench. When I was about 10 years old, I played football in a YMCA league and my Dad coached us. He decided some "pro" expertise was in order, so we went over to see if Tom could help us draw up a special play. He did. We called it "the Stencic special". Tom Stencic was a man of action, always working on something in his off season. He collected Harley motor cycles. I remember that he had a 3 wheeler in his collection.

OBITUARY

Thomas D Stincic

November 24, 1946 – December 26, 2021

Green Acres Mortuary & Cemetery

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