Tommy Matula has passed away.

A special teammate from the 1969 and 1970 national football teams recently passed away. His friends called him “TANK.” Don’t go to the record books looking for his name; it want be there. You will have to visit the hearts of his teammates to see his indelible imprint.

Tommy knew how to dispense humor with a comedian’s timing for effect. There is nothing better in life than a stomach- hurting- bent- over- hands -to -knees – Laugher to cleanse the soul and unclutter the mind. Tommy knew how to do that! Billy Dale

His celebration of life is at https://www.texaslsn.org/tommy-matula

Billy, 

Thank you for sending this out to everyone. 

Tommy was certainly a fun person to be around, and when he, Syd, and Stan were together, which was always, it was always a fun and entertaining time, even as an observer, which it was usually best to be. Or as Tommy would say, a “witness”. 

I am not positive they were the perpetrators of all the hi-jinks they later took credit for, but they definitely were the Usual Suspects. 

Prayers for the family and for all the close friends. 

Hope you are doing well, thank you again for all you do for the group.

Donny 1967 recruiting class

An Inseparable teammate bond – -built on respect earned not given— with faith as the cornerstone

Syd Keasler and Stan Mauldin share part of Tommy’s story. A journey colored with a burnt orange spirit, faith, and a smile while battling life-threatening health issues.

Syd Keasler tells his story

This friendship was rekindled about six years ago when we received a phone call from the girlfriend of Tommy’s son. She wanted us to know that Tommy had experienced kidney failure and had begun dialysis. She said that we might not remember Tommy, but just wanted us to know. I said I remember him;

Tommy Matula is legendary with his teammates!

As couples, we enjoyed going to Longhorn basketball games which were followed by eating BBQ at Copeland’s. It became evident that Beverly took her vows of “For better or worst” seriously. Her love and devotion to Tommy were unwavering as his health continued to fail.

During the six-year journey, Stan and I committed to pray for Tommy and Beverly each day. At that time, the three of us and our spouses, Beverly, Jenn, and Kathy began meeting in Austin for Longhorn basketball games, and of course, eating Barbecue at Copeland’s.

We met in Dallas together to attend Christian teaching on prayer. Stan, Tommy, and I began reading daily Christian devotional books together; and every other Tuesday, we would have a conference call to discuss life, Longhorn sports, and a devotion read since our last call. Tommy and Beverly were great friends, to begin with, and when we began praying for them daily, Stan and I developed a deep love for Tommy and Beverly.

We continued this rhythm up until recently when the situation changed for our friend. Tommy received dialysis treatments three times a week for six years. Within the last year, he experienced Parkinson’s disease. The combination of kidney failure and Parkinson’s was too big of a battle to withstand. He passed away on March 17th in his home; with his loving wife, Beverly, by his side.

I miss our good friend; I always will.

Syd Keasler

Stan Mauldin says:

In the summer of 1967, I attended the High School Football All-Star Game in San Antonio, TX. I was a spectator only but I wanted to see some of the players that I would join in Austin on the Texas freshmen football team. The recruiting class for the University of Texas that year was known as the Worster bunch. Steve Worster was one of the top recruits ever and his name was used to identify us. This recruiting class resulted in two national championships in 1969 and 1970 for the University of Texas.

I noticed two players that were introduced to the crowd. One was Syd Keasler, an All-State Linebacker and Tight End from Hallsville, TX and another was Tommy Matula, an All-State Tackle from Boling, TX. They got my attention as they were introduced to the crowd. Little did I know that some 50 years later that I would be joining these two fine athletes in a Bible study for 6 years that built our friendship and connection to wonderful levels of blessing and hope

Syd, Tommy and I started our devotional studies in 2016. We visited with several trusted sages to get ideas of how to do this. With Syd’s technology skills we had a conference phone call every other Tuesday. We would chatter a lot about our families and sports and other things. We would always visit about the devotionals that meant more to us and discuss them during our sessions. We ended with prayer and I can recall Tommy saying when he was ready “Alright guys, when is 2 weeks?“. Syd and I knew it was time to close out. We used a few good authors such as Sarah Young, Henry and Richard Blackaby, and Tony Dungy. We all participated in the selection of our study.

Beverly and Tommy enjoyed UT baseball games. One Saturday afternoon in 2018 I met them at UT for a game. The Horns were struggling a little and Tommy was irritated at the coaching and the performance of the umpires. He was giving them a hard time and a few expletives came out. He looked at me and said “and that little book is not helping”.

Well, I think the little books helped a great deal! It is an honor to celebrate the life of such a good friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with Tommy and Beverly’s family and friends. They are an inspiration for how to love each other and others.

Emory Bellard would have so much to say. I can say only that may he Rest In Peace. However, a fine, fine group of young men is slowly being reunited once again, and, including their coaches.

God Love. Susan Bellard

Sat 3/19/2022 5:29 PM

I’m sorry to learn about his passing. Is he the only young man from Boling to ever play for the Longhorns?

Larry Bob Moore

Sat 3/19/2022 5:18 PM

We are all getting older. Thanks for the communication. I really liked Tank. I will truly miss him… a good man.

Charles Rogers

Obituary for Tommy Matula

Thomas Eugene Matula passed away on March 17, 2022, after a long struggle with ESRD (End Stage Renal Disease) complicated by Parkinson’s Disease. Tommy was born September 7, 1948, to Eugene “Blackeye” Matula and Helen (Dobias) Matula. Tommy grew up in Newgulf TX where he was active in Little League & Boy Scouts attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. He was an outstanding athlete particularly in basketball & football. Tommy graduated from Boling High School, Class of 1967. He attended The University of Texas – Austin and was honored to be a member of the 1969 & 1970 Longhorn National Championship Football teams. He worked for Texas Gulf Sulphur for a short while and as a lineman for HL&P / Centerpoint Energy for 37 years. He also helped his family farm. He retired in 2009.

Tommy treasured memories of family road trips with Grandpa Matula and especially the annual family vacations to New Braunfels. He also loved his long friendships with high school classmates, Longhorn teammates & Centerpoint coworkers. It was the highlight of his life to continue to build on those relationships into retirement. He enjoyed traveling with friends and was always ready to bar-b-que, tailgate or just have a drink and catch up with friends. One of Tommy’s most precious memories was coaching his son Eric’s baseball teams in Little League and Babe Ruth. Eric was always the light of his life and Tommy was so proud of him.

Honorary pall bearers are Tommy Franz, Larry Hill, Rusty Holden, Jimmy Holden, Syd Keasler, Stanley Maulden, Jimmy Jackson, and Eric Bishop.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, St. John’s Catholic Church (Bell Tower Fund or Scholarship Fund) or a charity of your choice.

Thank you to Houston Methodist Hospital West Campus and A Med Hospice for all their help, support, and care in the last few months. A special thank you to Dr. Amer Khan & Westminister Dialysis Center for their continued thoughtful care throughout the last decade.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.whartonfuneralhome.com