H. J. "Jim" Tobola

Funeral services for H. J. "Jim" Tobola, 74 of Giddings, Texas will be held on Friday, May 13, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings with Tim Pitts officiating. Burial will follow in Giddings City Cemetery. Military honors provided by the American Legion Post 276 in Giddings. Visitation will be held Thursday, May 12, 2022 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Friday, May 13, 2022 from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Phillips and Luckey Funeral Home. The family will be present Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Jim Tobola was born on January 27, 1948 in Hallettsville, Texas to Victor and Evelyn (Rother) Tobola. He was baptized on January 31, 1948 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hallettsville and was later confirmed on May 14, 1961. Jim's confirmation verse was Ephesians 4:30, "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." Jim married the love of his life Shirley Brunkenhoefer on August 22, 1972 in Giddings and their marriage was blessed with four children. Jim served in the United States Army where he earned the rank of sergeant before being honorably discharged. He worked as a lineman and crew foreman with several contractors over 55 years and 5 months on the Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative electric distribution system. He retired for one year and then returned to Burlin Powerline as a General Foreman. Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching NASCAR and drag racing, restoring old cars, and spoiling his animals, specifically his goat that he would feed popcorn, carrots, and apples. He also enjoyed spending time with family and he loved spoiling his grandchildren.
Jim passed away the evening of Saturday, May 7, 2022 at his home in Giddings.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Evelyn Tobola, and his sister, Carolyn Tobola.
Jim is survived by his wife, Shirley Tobola of Giddings; his four children, James and Denise Tobola of Paige, David Tobola of Bastrop, Rachel and Phillip Ellis of Giddings, and Joey and Kristina Tobola of Bastrop; nine grandchildren, Dalton Tobola of Bastrop, Alyssa Tobola of Bastrop, Shelbie Tobola of Bastrop, Austin Tobola of Bastrop, Kylie Tobola of Bastrop, Tatum Tobola of Bastrop, Kirsten Ellis of Giddings, Trenton Ellis of Giddings, and Jackson Tobola of Bastrop; daughter in-law, Mandy Mikes of Bastrop; five siblings, Edward and Lucy Tobola of Giddings, Margaret Smith of Hallettsville, Linda Tobola of Hallettsville, Donnie and Libbie Tobola of Smithville, and Ronnie and Judy Tobola of Hallettsville, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Serving as pallbearers will be Gary Tobola, Randy Tobola, Brian Kuhl, Wayde Chapman, Heath Alford, Coby Zoch, Douglas Lehmann, and Derwin Iselt. Honorary pallbearers will be Dalton Tobola, Alyssa Tobola, Shelbie Tobola, Austin Tobola, Kylie Tobola, Tatum Tobola, Kirsten Ellis, Trenton Ellis, and Jackson Tobola.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or to a charity of one's choice.