Thomas Maples

Our beloved Thomas Eugene Maples passed away on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at the tender age of 83. Thomas was born August 18, 1938, in Stockdale, TX, to Harold and Gene Maples and graduated from H.M. King High School in 1957. On February 28, 1958, Thomas wed his high school sweetheart, Darlene Hayes; and shortly thereafter began a family.

As the only man in the house, Thomas was the heart of the family and he worked tirelessly to provide for their every need including putting all four girls through college. In 1973, Thomas went to work for King Ranch, Inc., as the Foreman of Construction Operations.  During his time there he built the feed lot, the quarter horse pens, and the arena which are still in use today.  As a welder and member of Union 798, Thomas spent many months away from home working on pipelines across the country, however he would always return to a driveway full of smiling faces waiting to hug his neck.  After retirement, Thomas spent his time working with horses, raising cattle, and numerous farm projects; as well as any projects his daughters or grandchildren requested.  Thomas, along with wife Darlene, were faithful parishioners of First Baptist Church in Kingsville where he participated in the Senior Adult class with Rollin Smith and served on the property committee.

Thomas was preceded in death by his father, Harold Maples; mother, Gene Maples; and brother, Harold Bailey Maples.

Among those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 64 years, Darlene Maples; daughters, Sharon (Forrest) Michalk of Kingsville, Texas, Karen (Curtis) Unterbrink of Riviera, Texas, Lisa (Mike) Dyal of Kerrville, Texas, and Cynthia (Bobby) Garcia of Corpus Christi, Texas; brother, Mack (Charlotte) Maples; and grandchildren, Sadie Michalk of San Antonio, Texas, Zachary Michalk of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, Kendall Dyal of West Palm Beach, Florida, Cade (Kadi) Dyal of Kyle, Texas, Kaemon Unterbrink of Riviera, Texas, Trent Garcia, Reid Garcia, Kohl Garcia all of Corpus Christi, Texas and Karlyn Dyal of Kerrville, Texas.

The family will receive condolences on Sunday, July 31, 2022, at Turcotte-Piper Mortuary, 205 General Cavazos Blvd., from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  A funeral service in honor of Thomas will be celebrated on Monday, August 1, 2022, at First Baptist Church, 312 West King Street in Kingsville, TX at 10:00 am.  Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at Chamberland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Home Instead                                               River Hills Health & Rehabilitation
5151 Flynn Pkwy Ste. 206                        2091 Bandera Hwy
Corpus Christi, TX 78411                         Kerrville, TX 78028