Thomas August Tholen

Thomas August Tholen, of Houston, passed away at Providence Hospice Place in Waco, on Tuesday, October 23, 2018, at age 81. Thomas was born August 4, 1937 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Henry Arnold Tholen and Julia Theresa Maertens Tholen.  The family moved to Texas when he was 14 and he graduated high school at St. Thomas in Houston.    Thomas had a career with the United States Postal Service, and was a postmaster in the Houston-Cypress area.   Thomas and his wife Tommie Lou enjoyed dancing; he was an excellent dancer from waltz to jitterbug and everything between – if the music had a beat he would be moving.  Even in his last few months in the nursing home, if he heard music he was ready to dance. Thomas lost his wife, Tommie Lou fourteen years ago, and his daughter Jackie passed away three days after her Mom.   He was also preceded in death by his brother, Lloyd Tholen, sister Margaret Tholen Shields, and nephew, Donald Shields. With failing health, Thomas moved to Groesbeck three months ago to be with his nephew, Michael Shields, son of his sister .  Thomas enjoyed all the extended family even to the youngest child of his nieces and nephews. He is survived by nephews, Michael Shields, Ronald Shields and Arnold Shields; and nieces, Theresa Nettuno and Maryann Shields; great nieces and great nephews; and great-great nieces and great-great nephews.