Memorial service will be held on January 15, 2022, at 1:00 p.m., at First United Methodist Church, with Reverend Don Pellikan officiating, with full military honors.
Thomas was born on May 2, 1936, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Lydia and Paul Cale. There were three older sisters that preceded him in death.
After graduating from Dobbins Vocational High School, he entered the United States Air Force at the age of 17. His induction took him to Sampson AFB, New York for training. Following that, his assignments were: Vance AFB, Oklahoma; Fort Belvoir, Virginia; L.G. Hanscom Field, Massachusetts; Bermuda; Richards-Gebaur AFB, Missouri; Pleiku, Vietnam; DaNang, Vietnam; Westover AFB, Massachusetts, and Sheppard AFB, Texas, where he retired after serving 20 years. He was a Disabled Veteran.
While at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, he met Mary Catherine Berry at a local church dance in Alexandria, Virginia. Mary worked at the Pentagon, and when they were married they moved to his next assignment at L.G. Hanscom Field, Massachusetts.
After retiring from the Air Force, he attained his Associate Degree from Cooke County Community College; his Bachelor of Science, Occupational Education from Wayland Baptist College in Plainview, Texas; and his Master of Education from North Texas State University in Denton, Texas.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, of Wichita Falls; two sons: Thomas Josiah Cale, Jr. and his wife, Kerrie, and Steven Paul Cale of Wichita Falls; five grandchildren: Cassie Cale Bryant and her husband, Eric, of Richardson, TX; Meredith Harvey Walin and her husband Daniel, of Murphy, TX; William Charles Harvey and his wife, Holly, of Arlington, Texas; Collin Thomas Cale and fiancé Bethany Harper of Ft. Worth, Texas; and Kathryn Harvey-Sanger and her husband, Andrew, of Lewisville, Texas. Great-grandchildren: Sadie Lee Harvey, Maven Eloise Bryant, Alexander Harvey Walin, Aberdeen Rose Bryant, twins – Hank William and Harris Josiah Harvey; Eulalie Dale Bryant, Cash Eldridge Harvey, and Owen Thomas Sanger.
Thomas taught drafting/surveying/architecture in Wichita Falls at Carrigan Center, Hirschi High School, and Midwestern State University. His students were his priority, and they often still visit when they are in the local area. One of his students placed first in national drafting competition in Arizona. He took many school trips with students for competition throughout Texas. In addition to teaching, he coached basketball for First United Methodist Church youth, and Little League baseball at Sheppard AFB for local youth. He began as a volunteer running the supervisory committee at Wichita Falls Teachers Credit Union and later serving on their board totaling 20 years of service. His real joy was spending time with grandchildren and great grandchildren, along with Mary, and of course, it kept him young beyond his years. After he and Mary were both retired, they spent much of their time cruising, and their adventures all over the world added up to 43 cruises. He enjoyed spending time volunteering with the local Iwo Jima Reunion, held annually in Wichita Falls and chauffeuring around Woody Williams, the last surviving WWII medal of honor recipient.
Tom was given this motto by family members, “LIVE WELL, LAUGH OFTEN, LOVE MUCH”.
Memorial donations should be made to Hospice of Wichita Falls.
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