Charles "Tommy" Thomas Whitehead

Charles Thomas “Tommy” Whitehead entered eternal rest on Friday, August 30th at the age of 75. Tommy, a true family-man, lived life to the fullest and was a committed husband, father, grandfather, and friend to those who will carry on his legacy.

Author Dan Wallace once wrote, “remembering a man’s stories makes him immortal.” Throughout his life, Tommy left us laughing, smiling, and hanging on every word of his magical tales. From growing up in San Antonio to working for the railroad and from fighting in Vietnam to fishing with his friends and family, his “carpe diem” attitude and never-ceasing optimism shaped the stories that will forever remain in our memory.

Tommy—born on July 22, 1944 to parents Myrtle and Marion Whitehead—spent his childhood in San Antonio, Texas. In 1962, Tommy graduated from Edison High School and following in his father’s footsteps, went to work for Southern Pacific Railroad as a diesel engine mechanic. During this time, Tommy met the love of his life, Patricia Ann Howard. Their romance and his career were put on hold in 1965, when Tommy was drafted into the US Army to fight in Vietnam.

After completing training at Fort Polk, Louisiana and Fort Knox, Kentucky, Tommy was assigned to the US Army HHC-2BN, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division (Wolfhounds) in Hawaii. Shortly after his arrival at Schofield Barracks, Honululu, he boarded the USNS General Nelson M. Walker with the Wolfhounds and crossed the Pacific—reaching Vietnam at the beginning of 1966.

“Nec Aspera Terrent,” the motto of his regiment, translates to “No Fear on Earth”—something Tommy remained forever proud of. An intrepid soldier, Tommy fought with honor in Vietnam earning a Bronze Star for his actions and a Purple Heart for wounds received during an enemy ambush. With his tour complete, Tommy returned home to San Antonio, married Patricia, started a family and went back to work as an Engineer with the Southern Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads for the next 39 ½ years.

Tommy is survived by his wife of 52 years, Patricia, daughter, Misty Michelle Mahase, son-in-law, Deodath Mahase, granddaughter, Piper Michelle Mahase; son, Charles Thomas Whitehead II, daughter-in-law, Alyson Gayle Whitehead, and grandchildren, Charles Thomas “Trey” Whitehead III, Braxton Brucks Whitehead, and Berkeley Florence Whitehead; sister, Rosemary Smotherman; sister, Patricia Larkins (Helrey); brother, Marion “Butch” Whitehead (Cher); brother, Larry Whitehead (Maria); numerous nieces and nephews who adored him.

Tommy, an avid outdoorsman and natural problem solver, will be remembered for his love of fishing, hunting, and golfing. He had an ability to “make things run,” and enjoyed working with his hands. Always putting the well-being of others before himself, he was a constant volunteer in his community. Tommy was a Master Mason in good standing for over 30 years with the Kendall Masonic Lodge in Boerne, Texas. He loved keeping up with childhood friends, fellow railroaders, his Vietnam Wolfhound brothers, friends from raising his kids in Boerne, hunting and fishing partners, golfing buddies, and extended family.

Above all else, Tommy’s children and grandchildren were his heart and joy. Tommy, who was fittingly renamed “Choo-Choo” after the sounds of the trains he drove for nearly all of his life, took great pride in his role as a grandfather. He loved being in the middle of the action with the kids, whether it be in a pool, on a golf course, in a school, on a beach, around an ice-rink or simply playing cars on the living room floor or sitting and talking underneath the old oak trees in the yard. “Choo-Choo” enjoyed every single moment with the grandchildren he completely cherished.

And so the story goes on until we see our Tommy, our Dad, our “Choo-Choo” again... we will do our best to continue making him proud, raising our children and grandchildren with all the best he helped instill in us. We will love him and miss him forever.

Services will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery - Shelter # 5 on Friday, September 20, 2019 at 10:45 a.m. in San Antonio, Texas

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Heart Association or the charity of your choice.