Thomas Trautman

Thomas (Tom Sr.) Paul Trautman was born to Dr. John A. Trautman and Teresa Haller Trautman on November 30, 1939, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The youngest of four siblings, Tom Sr. moved from New Orleans, California, Maryland and then to Fort Worth as his father was the chief administrator at various hospitals. Tom Sr. graduated from Laneri High School in Fort Worth and went to college at Creighton University, TCU, and the University of Southwestern Louisiana. Tom Sr. had multiple jobs throughout his life including running a Blood Bank in Louisiana, working for the Forestry Service in Arizona, and working in sales for various companies including Sunbeam Bread, Mrs. Baird's Bakery, and Hertz in Texas and Louisiana. Tom Sr. was also a proud veteran of the Air Force, having been stationed in Fort Worth at Carswell Air Force Base in the Strategic Air Command. During his time in the Air Force, he met his future wife, Barbara, at a Pizza Hut in Fort Worth. Tom Sr's attempt to interview her with a bottle of pepper flakes ended with the contents being emptied on to Barbara accidentally. This somehow worked. They dated for only a couple of months before deciding to get married. The couple moved from Fort Worth where their daughter Tracie was born, to New Orleans, where their son, Tom Jr., was born in the same hospital that Tom Sr. had been born. After living close to his parents in Louisiana for 13 years, Tom Sr. moved the family back to the North Texas area, this time to Dallas. Tom Sr. was a former Knight of Columbus and volunteered his service at various Catholic churches he attended over the years. Tom Sr. loved to travel with his family, especially to Western and Central Europe or on cruises to the Caribbean, or around Europe. Tom Sr. also made sure to show his family the beauty of the Arizona desert where he had worked years ago and introduced them to the mountains of Colorado that would call them back repeatedly to escape the Texas heat. Tom Sr. passed on this love for travel to his children. Tom Sr. often felt that he was an Outlaw country singer in the mold of Waylon Jennings or Merle Haggard and taught himself to play guitar. Tom Sr. wrote and performed his own songs along with those of the artists he enjoyed. Tom Sr's son would say he never quite taught himself how to sing despite much practice. Tom Sr. was quick-witted, and laughter often filled his house; we will miss the sound of his laugh which was usually in response to his own jokes. Tom Sr. loved taking his son fishing and they would belt out country tunes, likely scaring away any fish in the area. When Tom Sr. became a grandfather, he continuously showed his pride in his grandson Andrew, by attending his wrestling tournaments, football games, and rowing events. Andrew was always so happy to spot his grandfather in the stands during games. Tom Sr. greatly enjoyed his frequent long conversations with his grandson and was thrilled when Andrew received a college scholarship for rowing and later when he became a pilot. Tom Sr. was passionate about several things including his Catholic faith, his politics, his family, but mostly the love of his life, Barbara. and passed peacefully on July 3, 2024, in Grapevine, TX close to his family. Tom is preceded in death by his daughter Dr. Tracie Trautman-McCain, his son in law, Clifton McCain, his oldest brother Dr. John Trautman, and his older sister Mary Jo Levandowski. Tom Sr. is survived by his wife of 60 years, Barbara, son Tom Jr., grandson Andrew, his brother Dr. Robert Trautman and many adoring and loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.