Tom Hoskins

1944 - 2016

Tom Hoskins, 71, retired president of the Dunlap Co., author and pundit, died early Saturday, March 26, 2016, after a long battle with and complications from multiple myeloma. Tom died at the end of Good Friday, which is apropos if you knew him. Service: His service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church, 313 N. Center St., Arlington, Texas 76011. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice. Tom was born in the back room of his family's farmhouse outside Post on May 27, 1944, to Billie and Jack Hoskins. The third of six children, he was raised on a dry-land cotton farm where he learned the lifelong lessons of hard work and long hours through hoeing and picking cotton, milking cows and driving tractors. Tom told fond stories of his upbringing and how his West Texas heritage shaped him into the man and businessman he became. The values of loyalty, honesty and hard work were the bedrock of his life. Tom attended elementary school in a one-room schoolhouse in New Moore and high school in O'Donnell, where he was valedictorian of his graduating class of 1962. He graduated from Texas Tech University in 1966 with a BBA. In 1963, Tom married his high school sweetheart, Janice Stewart Clayton, and they graduated from Texas Tech together. They were happily married for 52 years and raised two daughters whom they taught to be kind, forgive easily and place others before themselves. While attending college, Tom worked for Dunlap's Department Store in Lubbock. He joined the Dunlap Co.'s management after college graduation, managing stores in Lubbock, Pampa and Midland before joining Dunlap's executive office in Fort Worth in 1977. Tom was named president of the Dunlap Co. in 1993, continuing in this position until 2001. Upon his retirement, the Dunlap Co. had grown to include 60 department stores in 11 states. In his retirement, Tom oversaw real estate, banking and farm interests. He also renovated and maintained his family farm and began to write about his heritage and life in West Texas. He wrote three books, one of which was titled "Hoskilonians," a collection of "points of life" he had collected over a lifetime that he highlighted with stories from his own life. These points of light were often humorous and many times convicting or thought-provoking. Two favorite points of light were "Character is who you are when no one is looking" and "A man never regrets a decision made in kindness." Tom's hobbies included the '54 Ford Club of America, which he founded, and fishing, especially at Possum Kingdom Lake. He had a great love for nature and included his five beloved grandchildren in his adventures in the great outdoors. Tom was a devout member of First United Methodist Church of Arlington and its Lamplighters Sunday School Class where he served as class president twice as well as heading finance, building, PPR and official boards for numerous years. His church was the center of his life. Tom also served on various boards in Tarrant County over many years, including United Way, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Texas Retailers Association, Arlington Chamber of Commerce and Harris Methodist Hospital, and served as president of Arlington's Rotary Club. We will miss this unique man who was in many ways larger than life. He lived to help people overlooked by others and felt it his calling to make everyone in his life feel special and loved. He was a loving, trustworthy and protective husband, father and friend to those God entrusted him with. At the end of his book, "Hoskilonians," Tom wrote that a man in his 60s "regrets some things but only wishes he had more time to show more compassion, love and care to others." Tom wished he had listened more and talked less. He wished he had told more people he loved them. He didn't really need to worry on that account but it is a lesson in life worth remembering for all of us. Tom was preceded in death by an infant son, Thomas Brian; and parents, Billie and Jack Hoskins and Wayne and Jessie Clayton. Survivors: His wife, Janice; beloved daughters, Laurie Carol Nipp of Raleigh, N.C., and Julia Elizabeth Schlitt of Austin; son-in-law, Carriel E. Nipp; his wonderful grandchildren, Carriel Taylor, Jessica Katherine and Grace Elizabeth Nipp of Raleigh and John Jackson and Adele Catherine Schlitt of Austin; brothers, Jack, Joe and Chuck Hoskins; sisters, Margaret McCullough and Judy Freeman; many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins; and a multitude of friends.