Thomas E. Petray, also known as Tommy, Dad, Grampy or Uncle Tom to many, was born in San Antonio, Texas on August 27, 1930.  He died on July 18, 2021, aged 90 years old, after a long fight against chronic kidney disease and anemia.  We know he is happy in heaven with his wife, Mary Ann/Grammie as they celebrate being back together after she passed away almost four years ago.  He is survived by his children, Thomas, Jr. (Ellen), Cheryl (Beauford), Terry (Dennis), William "Bill" (Nancy), and Mary Lou (Charles), as well as nine grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and many friends and family members.

As a boy, Tommy lived mostly in South San Antonio, Texas with his father, William J. B. "Bill" Petray, his mother, Mabel, and his brothers, Bill, Jr. and Bobby.  He loved to read. was an excellent student, was involved in Boy Scouts, and loved his dog, Boy.  He graduated from Harlandale High School.

On September 30, 1950, Tom married Mary Ann Kleypas, a union that lasted over 66 years, and soon after they had five children.  He loved camping and being in nature and he passed this love along to his kids.  Our family took numerous summer vacations, usually in a pop-up camper, traveling mostly to national parks and the Rocky Mountains in the Western U.S.  While mom supported the girls in Girl Scouts, dad supported his sons' involvement in Boy Scouts.  After the children "left the nest," Tom and Mary Ann travelled together, sometimes by car, other times greatly enjoying Coach/bus rides.  They toured all over the U. S. and even ventured to Europe, including a trip to Vatican City and Italy with Father Kevin and other St. Mark's folks; however, they still vacationed with kids and grandkids from time to time.  They loved to dance and were long-standing members of the Bexar Squares, a square- dancing group.  Tom, along with Mary Ann, loved family most and wanted to be included in all family events. Grampy gladly gave hours of time to chauffer Grammie to attend concerts, plays, football and volleyball games, school award ceremonies, Grammie's Sister Days, and any event that involved their loved ones.  They never minded cheering as loud as possible even if it embarrassed the grandkids.  Grampy and Grammie were so proud of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and always were generous in supporting them monetarily.  There are numerous stories of Tom offering advice and help to grandkids, nephews, and nieces.

Tom worked as a paint salesman for many years, after which he bought his own paint store, Accurate Car Color.  His business of almost 20 years grew to be quite successful ending with several million-dollar sales years after which he retired.  Along the way, with Tom's business profits and wise investments, he and Mary Ann were able to purchase a ranch in Pipe Creek, Texas, and he enjoyed being a "hobby" rancher for 25 years.  Tom offered his Pipe Creek ranch as a place for the Knights of Columbus to have cook outs and as a place for church retreats.  In retirement, he enjoyed going weekly to restaurants with the Retired Old Men Eating Out (ROMEOs).

Tom did many activities to serve the community.  He was a 3 ^rd Degree member of Knights of Columbus Council 7613 at St. Mark's parish for years and years and was a "go-to" food guy for the Knights.  Along with Mary Ann, he was a Eucharistic Minister at St. Mark's for numerous years.  He served as a Boy Scout adult leader for many years including Asst. Scoutmaster, Scoutmaster, and Explorer Post Advisor at St. Mary Magdalen parish, plus Order of the Arrow Chapter Advisor and Aina Topa Hutsi Lodge Advisor for the Alamo Area Council.  He was Scoutmaster for Alamo Area Council's Troop 24 at the 1969 Boy Scout National Jamboree in Idaho.  Community achievements for which he was proud include: Eagle Scout, Silver Beaver award from the Alamo Area Council of Boy Scouts, and the Archdiocese of San Antonio Scouter of the Year award.