1931 – 2025

FUNERAL HOME
Puente & Sons Funeral Chapels – Northeast
14315 Judson Rd – San Antonio, Texas

Tom Stolhandske
June 28, 1931 – November 1, 2025
Tom Stolhandske, a dedicated family man, beloved husband, esteemed public servant, and legendary athlete, passed away peacefully on November 1, 2025. He was born on June 28, 1931, to Karl Eber Frederick and Janie Stolhandske in Baytown, Texas.

A Remarkable Football Career

A proud Baytown native, Tom (Swede) attended Robert E. Lee High School, where he was an All-State High School football player before becoming a celebrated member of the Texas Longhorns at The University of Texas from 1949 to 1952. A three-year letterman, he earned First-Team All-American honors. He was a force on two Southwest Conference Championship teams and played in two Cotton Bowls. Tom showcased his versatility with a memorable 123-yard receiving game against North Carolina, including a 62-yard touchdown. His collegiate career culminated at the 1953 Hula Bowl, where he was honored as the game’s Most Valuable Player.

Tom’s talent earned him the 10th overall pick in the 1953 NFL draft, but he chose to play for the Edmonton Eskimos. His professional career was temporarily paused when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. After his military service, he returned to the field and played for the San Francisco 49ers.
After his playing career, Tom was inducted into both the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame in Waco and the University of Texas Hall of Honor.

Missing Tom. He played for Coach Daryl Royal in the Canadian League. The Royals and Stolhanskis were lifetime friends. Tom left pro football to go back to college at St Mary’s Law School in San Antonio. He stood for honesty and community service as a County Commissioner in Bexar County, and leader at Woodlawn Methodist Church in San Antonio, soon to become University Methodist Church, a Mission Church started when Woodlawn fell on hard times due to an aging membership. Tom will be remembered among other things for his friendliness, kindness, and illustrious football career at Baytown High School, the University of Texas and the San Francisco 49ers. Bill Nash

Captains Dick Ocho, Tom Stolhandske

1952-1953 9-2 Coach Price’s team was ranked #10 nationally.

This was Coach Price’s best team. Seven members of the 1952 team are All-SWC. Tom Stolhandske and Harley Sewell earned All-American status and helped the Horn beat Tennessee in the Cotton Bowl.

Texas lost to #3 Notre Dame and #4 Oklahoma but beat Tennessee in the Cotton Bowl.

Texas Longhorns Career (1949–1952) Stolhandske was a three‑year letterman and one of the most versatile players of his era. Key highlights:

First‑Team All‑American (1952)

All‑SWC in 1951 and 1952

Played on two Southwest Conference championship teams

Appeared in two Cotton Bowls, winning the 1953 game

Led Texas in receiving in 1952 (30 catches, 519 yards)

Recorded a legendary 123‑yard receiving game vs. North Carolina, including a 62‑yard TD

MVP of the 1953 Hula Bowl

He was inducted into the Longhorn Hall of Honor in 1976.

Service, Law, and Public Life

Following his professional football career, Tom transitioned to a life of law and public service in San Antonio, Texas. He attended law school and became a highly respected attorney. His commitment to the community led him to serve as a Justice of the Peace before being elected to the Bexar County Commissioners Court, where he served for sixteen years from 1967 to 1982. His work in public office reflected his strong sense of justice and dedication to the people of Bexar County. Some of his most notable accomplishments included initiating the groundwork for the Wurzbach Parkway, creating the current EMS system, and introducing electronic voting in Bexar County.

My father (George Gentry, Jr) played at UT from 1947-1950 and knew Stolhandske well. My father graduated from Temple HS, but had indirect Baytown roots as his father (my grandfather) was Supt. of Schools for the Baytown schools from 1946-1970. My father could have transferred to Robert E Lee for his senior year, but chose to stay in Temple and graduate with his long term friends. Although he had a very good high school career (played in the North/South all star game), his time at Texas was marred with injuries and he played very little after starting his freshman year. He graduated in 1950 and became a career Marine officer and later a teacher at Southwest Texas. George Gentry III

Family and Personal Life

Tom’s greatest pride was his family. Tom is survived by and shared an extraordinary life and a 72-year marriage with his beloved wife, Betsy Stolhandske. Together, they raised three children.
Tom and Betsy cherished time spent together at their ranch in Kerr County, a place where he was an avid hunter and found peace in the Texas Hill Country. Tom and Betsy were longstanding members of Woodlawn Methodist Church, which later became University Methodist Church, where he served in various leadership capacities.
A Memorial Service was held on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at 2:30 pm at University Methodist Church at 5084 De Zavala Road.

I remember writing about Tom when I was an intern at Baytown Sun in 1980. Reid Laymance