Raymond Tolson III

Tolson III, Raymond Stanley Raymond Stanley Tolson III is at peace with his Lord Jesus Christ, his Savior. Born September 20th, 1947 in South Bend, Indiana while his dad was finishing his education at the University of Notre Dame. At the age of six months, he returned to his family's home in Brownsville, Texas and spent his formative years growing up in the Rio Grande Valley. After a move to San Antonio, he graduated from Alamo Heights High School in 1965. He then entered The University of Texas, where he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry & Biology, Ray moved to Dallas and received his MBA from Southern Methodist University. Soon after, he worked for Moran & Hoffman in Real Estate and later for Hudson & Hudson. In 1980, Ray decided to start his own Real Estate Development Company. During the late 80's, he started the first Grandys' franchises, owning several around the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. In the early 90's , his love for the Gulf Coast inspired him and his father to open the Gulf Coast Oyster Bar on South Padre Island, which quickly became a local favorite. Ray was a member of the Dallas Safari Club for over 35 years. An avid hunter and outdoorsman, Ray traveled to numerous countries in search of big game, but his love for South Texas kept him close to home and his endless search for trophy whitetail deer was his true passion. He was also a member of Christ the King Catholic Church. Ray is survived by his wife of 33 years, Deborah Hamilton Tolson, along with his 3 children, Ray Stanley Tolson IV (Cuatro), William Hamilton Tolson (Billy) and Deborah "Christine" Tolson. He is also survived by his mother, Mrs. JoAnn Skinner Tolson of San Antonio and preceded in death by the late Raymond Stanley Tolson Jr.; his sisters Jan Erin Tolson of San Antonio; Mary Vance Jones and husband James Landon Jones Jr. of McAllen; Erin Elizabeth Eckensberger and husband James Henry Eckensberger Jr. of Boerne. Nieces and Nephews include: Garrett Cox, Tierney Tolson Oakes, Erin Ann Tolson Oakes, Casteel Jones, Mary Landon Jones, Tres Jones, Lindsey Eckensberger, Jamie Eckensberger, and Mary Grace Eckensberger. His Father-in-law William Norman Hamilton and Brother-in-law William Roderick Hamilton. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the United States Golf Association. Ray had a sincere love for the game and the USGA's largest philanthropic investment is through its For the Good of the Game Grants Program, through which in excess of $65 million has been distributed to more than 1,000 organizations that have served millions of young people and individuals with disabilities through golf. A Rosary will be prayed at 4:30 p.m., Sunday, December 6th at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m., Monday, December 7, 2009 at Christ the King Catholic Church. Interment will follow services at Hillcrest Memorial Park.