Thomas Eugene Lester, Jr.

On Thursday, August 26, 2021, heaven gained a very tall angel, Thomas Eugene Lester, Jr.

On Aug. 12, 1969, Thomas Eugene Lester, Sr. and Pam Lester welcomed their Little Tom. He was raised in south Gonzales County on their family farm which was instrumental in his upbringing. Tom graduated from Gonzales High School in 1987 and was voted the class favorite. He was a proud Apache and part of the State Semi-Finalist Basketball team his senior year.

After graduation Tom attended Blinn Junior College, but his love for agriculture and family led him back home.

While a junior in high school, Tom met the love of his life. He and Tam did not start dating until the following year but Tom admitted it was love at first sight. He married his high school sweetheart, Tammy Lynn Holub, a few short years later on Aug. 17, 1991.

Together Tom and Tammy welcomed his name sake, Thomas Eugene Lester, III (Trey), on March 13, 1995. Their first daughter, Tori Evan, was added to the family on Nov. 15, 1997 and Tom’s little bit, Tara Elizabeth, completed the family on Dec. 18, 2005.

For the last 34 years, with his father and brother, Tom built many partnerships in the farming and ranching industries across Texas. He loved to check his cattle on his evening rides around his property. One of his most favorite times of the year was when it was time to harvest his corn field, which he was able to do one last time. At any given time, Tom was raising over 650,000 broilers for the family business, Holmes Foods Incorporated, which was so dear to his heart. He was so proud to sit on the board of directors at Holmes for the last 29 years.

Tom was an avid land and wildlife conservationist. He loved tending to his properties in Gonzales County. He loved to watch the white tail deer, especially during deer season in his own backyard, or at one of his most favorite places, his family’s ranch in McMullen County.

When he was not coaching Little League or Little Dribbler’s basketball for not just his own children, but for the youth of Gonzales, he was traveling. As an outdoor sportsman, Tom traveled all over the world with Tammy, his family, and friends. His most favorite stories coming from his safaris in Africa. No matter where his travels took him, he never met a stranger. Tom was a big man, but he had an even bigger heart.

Whether he was playing basketball, growing chickens, being a coach, son, husband, father, brother, uncle, or friend … he wanted to be the best. As the first born, Tom thrived off of being the center of attention. If you had the opportunity to ride in the vehicle with Tom, he appreciated all genres of music and would serenade those in his presence. If Tom met you on the highway, he would give you a wave. If you did not wave back, you would certainly get a phone call. Tom was a character to say the least.

Tom was a lifelong member of FUMC Gonzales, served on the GISD Board of Trustees for 12 years, was a Former Director of Gonzales Farm Bureau, Former Texas Farm Bureau Farm and Ranch Committee.

Thomas Eugene Lester, Jr. is survived by his adoring family – wife of 30 years: Tammy Lynn Holub Lester; son: Thomas Eugene “Trey” Lester, III; daughters Tori Evan Lester (Dalton Kuntschik) and Tara Elizabeth Lester; his parents: Thomas Eugene Lester, Sr. and Pam; sister: Sarah Miller and her husband; nephews: John Thomas “JT” Miller, Wade Miller, and William Miller; sister: Rebekah Morgan and her husband, Bobby; nieces: Sadie Morgan and Grace Morgan; brother: Daniel Stayton Lester and wife, Tiffany; nieces: Faith Lester, Joelee Lester, and Danni Lester; mother-in-law: Ethlyn Holub; brother-in-law: Ronald Holub and wife, Mary Lou; nephews: Weldon Holub and Landon Holub; brother-in-law: Christopher Holub and wife, Maggie; nephew Christopher Holub; niece: Ainsley Holub; and Braylon Holub,

He is preceded in death by his father-in-law: Donald Holub.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021 at First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall from 5 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021 at FUMC Gonzales with Dr. Matt Pennington officiating. Interment will follow at Floyd Chapel Cemetery.

Pallbearers: John Thomas Miller, Wade Miller, Christopher Holub, Weldon Holub, Ryan Mills, Phil Hartung, Brian Sample, Ross Hendershot III, and Gene Kridler. Honorary pallbearers: Landon Holub, Braylon Holub, Will Miller, Natalio Santillano, Juan Salinas, Cirilo Mayorga, Jose Perez, and Bub Blundell. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society or FUMC Gonzales. Friends may leave their condolences to the family by visiting www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com. Those wishing to watch the funeral service on-line, please go to First UMC Gonzales – YouTube.

With deep love and gratitude, the family appreciates the outpouring of love, support, and prayers shown to them during this time. You cannot put into words the impact that Tom had on everyone, and you cannot put into words the love that he had for everyone.

Due to the present uptick in reported Covid-19 illnesses, protective measures regarding social distancing, and use of personal protective masks will be required for the visitation, funeral service, and graveside burial rite. Those remotely symptomatic of COVID-19 are politely asked not to attend. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.