Michael Joseph O'Toole

Michael Joseph O'Toole, age 80, of Giddings, Texas, passed away peacefully in Giddings surrounded by family. Michael Joseph O'Toole was born in Tyler, Texas, on October 18, 1944, to Joseph James and Lottie Laverne (Allen) O'Toole. The oldest of three children, he grew up in Tyler with a mischievous streak and a strong throwing arm - known for putting road tar in his Cokes, hurling dirt clods at the neighbor's white sheets, and launching snowballs at passing cars. That arm would later serve him well on the baseball field, where he excelled as a player and was even scouted by the St. Louis Cardinals. He went on to earn his associate degree from Tyler Junior College in 1965 and later attended Stephen F. Austin State University. Mike returned to Tyler to help with the family accounting business and later pursued work in hospitality and dining in Huntsville, where he met the love of his life, Nancy, who knew she was going to marry him before they'd even gone on their first date. Mike and Nancy married in 1974 and built a life full of love, family, and faith. Mike was very vocal about his relationship with Jesus and loved sharing how Jesus had changed his life. He taught a Sunday school class for many years at FBC Giddings and served on numerous committees. Over the years, Mike worked in real estate, surveyed and developed sign locations for businesses for a national sign company, and spent many fulfilling days working on the family ranch in Dime Box, Texas. Outside of work, he had a deep love for photography - he taught himself how to develop film in the darkroom and took pride in capturing the world through his lens. He was also a devoted reader and lifelong learner, amassing a personal library over the years. So frequent were his visits to Half Price Books that the staff came to know him by name. Above all else, Mike was his children's biggest cheerleader. His support was constant, his encouragement unwavering, and he never missed a chance to tell each of them how proud he was. If one of his kids called, he would drop everything to be there - no hesitation, no questions asked. He once helped Anne build a working drawbridge structure for a class project, and famously offered Jennie $20 just to shoot the basketball in the direction of the hoop - a memory that still brings smiles. When Leslie opened her shop, Mike not only helped her build a Christmas tree for the display window, but even pitched in to make merchandise for her to sell. When it was family game night, he and Michael would team up unofficially to try to make sure that one of them would win. He and Nan, affectionately nicknamed "Bumpers" by him, shared a love for singing their favorite verse of Daisy Bell together. It was their sweet tradition, often followed by telling each other how many "million gazillion skies" they loved one another, a phrase that belonged uniquely to them. He lived for those moments - when he could show up, lend a hand, and remind his children how deeply loved and supported they were. Mike cherished his relationships with each of his grandchildren, and his face would light up the moment they walked into the room. He had a way of making every grandchild feel uniquely seen, valued, and loved - so much so that each one could have sworn they were his favorite. That was his gift: when you were with him, you felt like the most important person in the world. His bond with his grandson Gage was especially deep and tender. Gage's diagnosis with Down Syndrome created a connection between the two that went beyond words - a quiet understanding, a shared joy, and a love that ran deep. He is survived by his devoted wife of 51 years, Nancy Jean (Jensen) O'Toole of Giddings; and their five children and their families: Jennie and Ben Fortner of College Station, and their children - Garrison, Grant, Gage, and Grayson; Michael and Stephanie O'Toole of Hickory Creek, and their children - Lilly and Kinsley; Nan Hildenbrand of Harker Heights, and her children - Abigail and Isaiah Aleman, Natalie Ingenloff, Alexander Ingenloff, BonnieJo, and Everleigh; Leslie and Derryk Blasig of Paige, and their children - Aiden, Hailey, and Bodie; and Anne Marye and Ashton Herbert of Paige, and their children - Quinn and Ezra. He is also lovingly remembered by many extended family members and friends. Mike was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Neil O'Toole; and his sister, Kathy O'Toole. A funeral service to celebrate Mike's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at First Baptist Church in Giddings, with burial at St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Dime Box.