George Thomas Soulsby Jr

George Thomas Soulsby, Junior died Tuesday, April 17, at home with family. He was born in Pawnee, Oklahoma on July 24, 1936, the elder of two sons of George Thomas Soulsby, Senior and Ruth Evangeline Soulsby. Following graduation from high school and studies at Oklahoma A & M, Tom enlisted in the Navy serving for 4 years.
After discharge from the Navy, Tom began working at WBBZ, a radio station in Ponca City, Oklahoma. His work came to the attention of John Tyler, of Carter Communications, and Tom was offered a position working as General Manager of the startup cable television station in Gainesville, Texas, thus beginning a notable career in cable communications. Tom was instrumental in building or running the cable systems in Gainesville and Midland Texas; Springfield, Illinois; Louisville, Kentucky; North Little Rock, AR; and other sites. During this time, Tom served on the Board of Directors of the Texas Association of Cable Television and was President of the board for two years. In 1984 he was inducted into the Cable TV Pioneers, and in 1988 Tom received the John Mankin Award, the highest Texas Cable TV Association recognition for distinguished service and leadership as a pioneer in the Cable TV Industry. In 1989, he moved to Fort Worth where he was General Manager of Sammons Cable.
Tom was active in his community serving on numerous committees. His dedicated service to Keller was recognized when the City Council declared December 1, 2015 as “Tom Soulsby Day.” Tom’s leadership skills were also used when he served as Chairperson of the Staff Parish Relations Committee at Keller United Methodist Church.
Tom is predeceased by his son, James. He is survived by his wife, Polly, brother Jim Soulsby and wife, Julie, daughter Debbie Soulsby, daughter Laurie Soulsby and husband, Greg, daughter Nancy Krail and husband, Freddy, and daughter Sloane Jones and husband, Shae, and nine grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 11324 Arcade Drive, Suite 16, Little Rock, AR 72212, (501) 217-0321 or to the UMCOR fund at Keller United Methodist Church 1025 Johnson Road, Keller, TX 7624.
Viewing-6:00-8:00 pm Thursday, April 19, Lucas Funeral Home, 1601 Main Street, Keller, Texas. Funeral Services-Friday April 20, 2:00 pm, the Keller United Methodist Church 1025 Johnson Road, Keller, Texas 76248. Graveside ceremony-3:00 pm, Highland Cemetery, Pawnee Oklahoma on Saturday, April 21st.