Tommy Menta Boulware, a resident of Galveston for 42 years, passed away peacefully on January 7, 2025, surrounded by family.

Born December 3, 1942, in Dumas, Texas to John M. and Verna (Wynn) Boulware, he lived most of his childhood in Cactus, Texas, and graduated from Dumas High School in 1961. Tom played both football and basketball in school, and was active in social activities. Popular for his gregarious and witty personality, he was named Fighting Dumas Demon his senior year.

In 1964, while attending Texas Western College (now the University of Texas El Paso), he met and married Vickie Richardson. They moved to Amarillo, and in 1966 their daughter Lisa was born. Soon after, they relocated to Houston where their daughter Lucetta was born in 1970.

Tom worked with Crane Pumps & Systems, and later with Texas Process Equipment, selling specialty pumps along the Texas coast until retirement.

After his divorce, Tom and his good fishing buddy Harry Landers purchased a home in Jamaica Beach on Galveston Island in January 1983. They enjoyed catching speckled trout and redfish in Galveston Bay for many years. Tom also enjoyed playing golf and watching college and pro football, especially his beloved Texas Longhorns. He was known and recognized in Jamaica Beach for his daily walking routine.

In 1992, Tom's life changed dramatically when he joined a 12-step recovery fellowship. He devoted the rest of his life to his ongoing recovery, and to helping others in their own recovery journeys. Tom's service/volunteer work was inspiring and untiring. He also enjoyed attending the fellowship's regional, state, national, and two international conventions.

While Tom will be remembered for his love of fishing, walking, and Longhorn football, he will mostly be missed for his ability to make anyone he met feel welcomed and accepted for who they were while in his presence. His gift was making people smile, laugh, and feel special. Indeed, Tom never met a stranger, and was adored by all who knew him.

It is safe to say that Tom's fun and compassionate spirit touched hundreds of lives.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John M. and Verna (Wynn) Boulware, sister Maritha Gober, brother John Boulware, and cousin Phil Boulware.

Tom is survived by daughters Lisa Molina (Gary), Lucetta Butt (Jesse Johnson); Grandchildren (to whom he was affectionately known as "Daddy Tom") Joshua Johnson (Midian), Thomas Molina, and Isabella Molina, all of Austin, Texas. He is also survived by cousins Mary Nell King and Fannie Logan, many nieces and nephews, and ex-wife Vickie Nice.

The family would like to extend our gratitude to Troy Bryant for his unwavering support and selflessness during Tom's illnesses, and his hospitality during Tom's final days.

A memorial service for Tom will take place on Saturday, January 25, 10:00am at Carnes Brothers Funeral Home in Galveston.

In lieu of flowers, Tom requested that donations be made to The Galveston Club at:

P.O. Box 3277, Galveston, TX 77552 OR online at https://gofund.me/3cdfc3c7

(www.gofundme.com, search Tom Boulware).