Thomas Elmer "Pistol" Rash Sr.

Thomas Elmer Pistol Rash Sr. TAHOKA-Thomas Elmer Pistol Rash Sr. of Tahoka passed away on Aug. 1, 2013, at the age of 82. He was born Sept. 19, 1930, in Tahoka to Thomas Preston and Ruby (Harris) Rash. Pistol married Darlene Goode from San Benito, Texas, on Dec. 2, 1950, in Milnesand, N.M. To this union was born a son, Thomas Elmer (Tommy) Rash Jr., and a daughter, Martha Diane Rash. One dear friend commented he didn't know whether to call Pistol dad, brother, uncle, grandpa or friend. He was a friend to all who knew him and people he didn't even know. He never met a stranger. To all the little kids that came into the store, he was the bubble gum man. It was known as Pistol's chew tobacco. This is a second and third generation tradition. Pistol went into the Army on March 21, 1951. He was in 653rd Artillery, stationed at Fort Sill, Okla. He went on to Fort Bliss, Texas, to attend a radar school for six months, and then was sent back to Fort Sill to serve the rest of his term. When returning from duty he came back to farming and the life he loved. He raised and sold show pigs and dearly loved all the kids that bought his animals. Pistol managed Grassland Butane from 1979 to 2010, which then became Matt Hamel Ag Products where he stayed employed until his death. Pistol is survived by his wife of 62 years, Darlene; son, Thomas Elmer Rash Jr. of Grassland, Texas; daughter, Martha Diane Rash of Lubbock, Texas; three brothers, Billy Rash of Coffey City, Texas, Duane Rash of Fresno, Calif., and Leon Rash of Yucaipa, Calif.; and one sister, JoAnn of Washington State. Pistol was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Preston in 1968 and Ruby Henry in 1992 Visitation will be 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, 2013 at Combest Family Funeral Home. Celebration of life services will be held 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013, at The Grassland Nazarene Church with interment to follow at Grassland Cemetery. Please celebrate the life of Pistol by visiting www.combestfamilyfuneralhomes.com.