Tommy Gale Raper, formerly of Millsap, TX, passed away peacefully Sunday, September 9, 2012 with his family by his side. A memorial service will be held in Jacksboro, Texas on Saturday, September 15, 2012 at 9 a.m. at the Wesley Chapel Cemetery. Nephew and Reverend Todd Cooper will officiate.
Tommy was born February 22, 1938 in Olney, Texas to Minerva Jane (Culver) and Donald Loyd Raper. He joined the United States Army in 1955, and retired as an E6 Sergeant after 20 years of service. He then worked for Lear Siegler on military helicopter upgrades which took him to Hawaii and Alaska. He then worked for Bell Helicopter in Hurst, Texas and Heli-Dyne Inc. in Granbury, Texas which included work on DEA planes and medi-vac helicopter upgrades.
Tommy had a kind and loving heart and could be found cooking for his co-workers or family. He never went anywhere empty handed. He loved history, watching old westerns, fishing, and taking care of man’s best friend and his companion, Bandito. He will be dearly missed by his care givers, many friends, and especially his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a niece.
He is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Carla Wiseniske of Millican, Texas; Sonya and Barry Bouse of College Station, Texas; three grandchildren: Ethan Wiseniske, Ashley and Ryan Bouse; a sister and brother-in-law, Revena and Snuffy Brooks; a brother and sister-in-law, Terry and Annette Rapier; and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to give a “special” thanks to the staff at the College Station Medical Center and St. Joseph’s Manor for their care, concern, and loving hands of help during Mr. Raper’s illness.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Brazos Valley 502 W. 26th Street, Bryan TX 77803 or American Cancer Society 3207 Briarcrest Drive, Bryan TX 77802.
SONYA AND CARLA,
YOUR DAD WAS A MAN OF HIS WORDS! GOD TOOK HIM PEACEFULLY AND QUITELY. YALL TOOK SUCH GREAT CARE OF HIM. WORDS CANT DESCIRBE WHAT ITS LIKE LOSING A LOVED ONE, PRAYERS AND
LOVE HAVE BEEN SENT!
ASHLEY, RYAN AND ETHAN,
YOUR POPS IS NOW IN HEAVEN, LOOKING DOWN UPON YALL PROTECTING EACH AND EVERYONE OF YALL, KNOW THAT HE VERY PROUD OF YALL FOR ALL THAT YALL HAVE DONE, DONT TAKE THIS TIME TO BE SAD, BUT TAKE THIS TIME TO SHARE HIS EVER LASTINNG MEMORIES HE HAS GIVEN YALL THAT WILL LAST A LIFE TIME!
AND TO MY DADDY:
YOU LOST YOUR BROTHER, WORDS CANT DESCRIBE WHAT YOUR GOING THRU INSIDE, BUT KNOW THAT IM HERE WITH WIDE OPEN ARMS TO GIVE YOU A HUG. GOD DID NOT LET HIM SUFFER. HE SAW YOUR GRANDBABIES, ESP THOMAS, WHOM THOMAS IS NAMED AFTER! JUST REMEMBER THE MEMORIES YALL HAVE SHARED THRU LIFE AND CONTINUE TO SHARE THEM.
“DONT CRY FOR ME WHEN IM GONE. KEEP THE FAITH AND BE STRONG ‘CAUSE THROUGHT IT ALL I’VE BEEN BLESSED. I FACED MY FEARS, AND I PASSED THE TEST. SO WHEN YOU LOOK UP IN THE SKY ON A SUNNY DAY, IMAGIEN ME DRIFTING AWAY.
I’LL BE SAILING ON THE SHIPS OF HEAVEN WHEN THE TIDE ROLLS OUT FOR THE LAST TIME. YOU’LL FIND ME SAILING ON THE SHIPS OF HEAVEN WAITING FOR THE DAY I COME SAILING BACK TO YOU.
REMEMBER ALL THE TIMES WE HAD. SOME WERE GREAT AND SOME WERE SAD. BUT YOU KNOW IN THE END OUR LOVE WAS STRONGER THEN WHEN WE BEGAN. NO UNFORGIVEN SINS AND NO REGRETS, JUST THE TIMES OF OUR LIVES THAT WE’LL NEVER FORGET.