Memorials › LTC Wesley Thomas "Tom" Kouba
LTC Wesley Thomas "Tom" Kouba
22 Dec 1924 – 31 Mar 2016
| Birth | 22 Dec 1924 |
| Death | 31 Mar 2016 |
| Cemetery | Grice Cemetery Grice , Upshur County , Texas , USA |
| Added by | B Tabor on 12 Oct 2023 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/166079702 |
Bio
WWII - Korean War - Lt Col US Army Tom was born to Wesley Lee Kouba and wife, Iva (nee Matlock).Named Wesley Thomas, in honor of his father and maternal grandfather (Thomas Jonathan Matlock, a Baptist minister). Tom grew up on a cattle ranch near Ennis, TX and worked on a cotton farm as a teenager. He graduated from Scurry-Rosser High School at the age of 16. Tom moved to Dallas after high school and enlisted in the U.S. Army. His first assignment was as a typist for the base commander, but Tom soon volunteered for pilot training and became a bomber pilot for the U.S. Army Air Corps. He survived many missions throughout World War II and the Korean conflict, flew for the Strategic Air Command during the Cold War, and retired after 22 years as a Lieutenant Colonel. Tom loved to fly, and continued after he retired. After completing his military service, Tom obtained a Master of Science degree in Industrial Technolog y from Texas A&M in Commerce, TX in 1967. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics during his years in the Air Force, with credits from several universities across the country. Tom was an instructor of electronics and electricity at Kilgore College for 15 years, retiring in 1983. A Master Electrician and talented carpenter, Tom designed and built his farm home, doing most of the work himself. He also helped build his sister's home, and assisted in the design and construction of the Upshur County Farm Bureau office building in Gilmer. Tom was also a talented auto mechanic and enjoyed working on the restoration of his Model T Ford. He made the wheel spokes himself, and enjoyed other woodworking projects; Tom was also a talented artist who created beautiful gifts for family members and friends. Tom was a Director and past President of the Upshur County Farm Bureau, a 32nd degree Mason, a Deacon at the Enon Baptist Church, and President of the Enon Community Center. He raised Santa Gertrudis cattle on his farm near Gilmer and enjoyed golfing and playing canasta at the Enon Community Center. He also enjoyed fishing, swimming, and boating. Tom married the love of his life, Donna Louise Smith, in Dallas, Texas, on January 10, 1948 and was a devoted husband and father. Tom and Donna celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2008. Donna preceded Tom in death on April 18, 2009.
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