Thomas A. Rapp, Jr.
Corpus Christi, TX

Thomas A. Rapp Jr., a longtime resident of Corpus Christi and Greeley, Colorado, died of cancer on April 15, 2013, at his home on North Padre Island in Corpus Christi.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and many other family members who loved him.

A memorial service honoring him is planned for June 15, 2013, in Greeley, where he grew up and had a wide range of noteworthy achievements.

However, his story actually began in Sterling, Colorado.

Tom, as he preferred to be called, was the fifth of six children born to Thomas Abney Rapp Sr., and Evelyn Nichols Rapp. He was born on Dec. 18, 1932. The couple had a tradition of naming their children in honor of beloved family members. With his older siblings receiving other family names, Tom became his father's namesake, honoring a man who was a World War I veteran and skilled brick mason. His middle name, Abney, honors James Abney, an English immigrant who ran a livery stable in Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory, and married into the family with such kindness that his stepdaughter chose to take his surname. Young Tom realized the significance of this legacy, and it was one of many factors that heightened his ambitions. In 1938, his family moved to Greeley, where Tom's father continued work as a brick mason and his oldest sister began college. The move also brought the family closer to Children's Hospital in Denver, where older brothers Harry and Stanton, received treatment for polio. Faced with such challenges, the Rapps decided to build a business in Greeley that would provide independent employment for family members -- without the tough physical demands that Tom Sr., and his sons faced in the brick contracting business. Young Tom went from carrying hod to pumping gas. While still a student at Greeley High School, 16-year-old Tom became a partner with brothers Harry and Stanton. They opened their first gas station in 1949. The busy family enterprise also included a motel and trailer park. Tom continued his education at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. He majored in business administration and participated in the ROTC program. He married his college sweetheart, Mary Ann Donelan, and graduated from UNC. The couple moved to Houston, Texas, where he studied to become a navigator in the United States Air Force. Tom was an Air Force navigaror when his daughter Lori and and son Mark were born. The couple's youngest children, Debra and Michael, were born after the Rapps moved back to Greeley and rejoined the family business. Eventually, Tom's sisters and older brother Stanton pursued separate, successful endeavors. However, Evelyn continued to assist Tom and Harry with bookkeeping as they established two chains of gas stations throughout the region. Tom and Harry built and operated more than 20 Rapp's Gas Stations, selling out to Diamond-Shamrock in 1969. The brothers went on to build and operate 60 U-Pump-It (their brand) gas stations before selling out to two other private companies in 1978 and 1981. Tom was also active in community service. He was a member of the Greeley City Council, 1967-1971; director of the Greeley Chamber of Commerce, 1968-1970; and member of the Greeley Water Board, 1974-1979. He served on the board of directors for more than an dozen businesses in such diverse fields as banking, motels, nursing homes and manufacturing. He also served on the advisory board for the Salvation Army, and was a member of the Century Club, Longs Peak Council, Boy Scouts of America. He supported his alma mater as a charter member of the UNC Century Club, an alumni organization, and board member of the UNC Foundation. Tom retired in 1989, and he and Mary began splitting their time between Texas and Colorado. They remained active in Trinity Episcopal Church, where they had been married and Tom was a lifetime member. Tom continued his close ties with Colorado friends -- he just phased out board meetings in favor of international travel and more time on Texas beaches. Tom was heartbroken when Mary died in 2006. Eventually, he regrouped and began the difficult journey of recovering from grief and opening his heart again. Tom met Elizabeth McGregor at the condominium where he lived in Texas. She had also experienced the death of a beloved spouse and knew exactly what Tom was going though. The couple developed a bond over their respective losses and desire for companionship. They were married on July 4, 2008. Tom shared his love of Colorado with Elizabeth, and she accompanied him on several trips to see the sights and visit family in Colorado. He also enjoyed Elizabeth's family at gatherings in Texas and Louisiana, and their southern hospitality won him over.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Marion Lee, Harry Rapp, Stanton Rapp, Katherine Miller and Cherrill Gould.

He is survived by two sisters-in-law, 10 nephews and four nieces. Tom is also survived by his children and their families, Lori Rapp and Roger Schump of Greeley, Mark Rapp of Brighton, Colorado, and Debra Becker and husband, Tom of Lakewood, Colorado; survivors of Tom and Mary Rapp include five grandchildren.

They were preceded in death by son, Michael.

Tom's survivors also include Elizabeth's children and their families, Cindy Petty and husband, Jeff of Corpus Christi; Karen Aguilar and husband, Tony of Ovilla, Texas; Glen McGregor and wife, Kim of San Antonio, Texas; and Shawn McGregor of Corpus Christi; survivors also include 18 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life is planned for 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 15, 2013, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 3800 W. 20th St., Greeley.

An inurnment in the Trinity Memorial Garden and reception at the Parish Hall will follow.

Tom's family welcomes support during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Del Mar College Music Department, 101 Baldwin Blvd., Corpus Christi, Texas, 78404, earmarked for the Tom Rapp Memorial Fund. Tom enjoyed the concerts of the Del Mar Master Chorus, and his family wishes to earmark the funds for travel expenses of the performers.

Originally published Sunday, June 09, 2013