Thomas Bernard Walsh

Tom exemplified devotion as a father and grandfather. His joy was evident when surrounded by his daughter, son, and three granddaughters. His loyalty, charisma, eloquence as a public speaker, and his ability to connect with everyone he encountered made him a cherished friend.

Tom was born on April 22, 1939, in Carbondale, Pennsylvania. He was the oldest child to his father, Thomas B. Walsh, and his mother, Margaret Mary Clare McCann Walsh. Tom was fiercely proud to be a Pennsylvanian, and he found immense joy in returning often to Carbondale and Scranton.  He was an outstanding basketball player at St. Rose High School in Carbondale, from which he graduated in 1957. He was also the President of his Senior Class. Tom attended college at the University of Scranton, where he played on the varsity basketball team and also appeared in multiple theatrical productions.

After graduating from the University of Scranton with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1962, Tom briefly taught high school English before joining the United States Air Force.  He ultimately rose to the rank of Captain and served as a Commander of a 1400-man (Cryptographic) training squadron at Lackland, Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. While in the Air Force, he married Judy Stahl, and they welcomed their daughter, Colleen, in 1965 and their son, Tommy, in 1967. Tom pursued his legal education at St. Mary’s School of Law in San Antonio, Texas. He attended classes at night while simultaneously serving as an officer in the Air Force. In 1969, he successfully graduated from St. Mary’s School of Law. Tom also became a private pilot and loved flying a plane. After serving in the Air Force, Tom joined Success Motivation Institute and was promoted to the home office in Waco, Texas. At Success Motivation Institute, Tom served as Home Office Director of National Corporate Accounts. Tom later married his second wife, Penny Edens, and they welcomed their son, Michael, into the world in 1976.  After leaving Success Motivation Institute, Tom worked for various companies, including Dresser Industries in Houston, where he traveled internationally for work.  Tom was also an accomplished public motivational speaker and was particularly proud to have shared the stage at an event with Dr. Norman Vincent Peale and Earl Nightingale.  Tom also taught Real Estate classes and Real Estate law to countless real estate agents in both Texas and California in the 1980s and 1990s. Tom practiced criminal law full time in Dallas for the last 30+ years of his life, and he was recognized in 2019 by the State Bar of Texas for having been a member of the State Bar for over 50 years.

Tom is survived by his daughter Colleen Walker, son-in-law Dr. Jon Walker, granddaughter Lindsey Walker, son Tom Walsh, daughter-in-law Tara Walsh, granddaughters Mary Beth Walsh and Kate Walsh, sisters Anne Mozeliak and Kathleen Griffin, brother-in-law John Mozeliak, Cousin Tom Walsh, and many other loving cousins, nephews, and nieces. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas B. Walsh and Margaret Walsh, and his son, Michael Walsh.

There will be a Memorial Mass to celebrate Tom's life at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Plano, Texas on August 3, 2024, at 12:00 p.m., with a rosary preceding the Mass at 11:30 a.m. A reception will immediately follow at Prince of Peace.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the University of Scranton in Honor of Thomas B. Walsh at https://www.scranton.edu/advancement/form/index.shtml , or to the Jesuit Dallas Memorial Scholarship Fund in Honor of Thomas B. Walsh at https://www.jesuitdallas.org/giving , or to the charity of your choice.