Thomas Ruane

Thomas Martin Ruane (affectionally known as Tommy, Dad, Brother Tom, and Papa) passed away on January 18,2023 at the age of 77, surrounded by his wife and children. Thomas was born in San Antonio, Texas on July 21, 1945, to Ary and Francis Ruane.  He was a great man of God, servant leader, loving husband, son, father, Papa, brother, uncle, and friend. He loved the Lord with all his heart, mind, and soul and boldly stated so in thought, word, and deed.

He graduated Thomas Jefferson High School in 1963 and earned his bachelor's degree from Howard Payne University and his Master of Divinity from Southwestern Seminary.  He later received his Doctor of Ministry degree from New Orleans Baptist Seminary.  He served in student ministries and institutional ministries with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and was an interim pastor and visiting preacher in many congregations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where he helped start and pastored several cowboy churches.

Tom is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary Alice, and his three children Richard, Kristen and her husband Jeff, Jason and his wife Rachael, and his five beloved grandchildren: Alan Jason and wife Abby, Madison, Lexi, Ashton, and Emmy.  He is also survived by his brother Jim Ruane, sister Delia Rawlinson, brother-in-law Bobby Wimberly and wife Jackie, and his sister-in-law Sharon Wimberly, along with many beloved nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.

In his final days, he gathered his family to share how much he cherished us all and praised God for the time he was here. He pointed out that the Bible has over 7,000 promises, and tomorrow is not one of them. He stated that we should not mourn as those who have no hope and stated that God does not take our loved ones, but rather receives them.  He has been received by the God who created and loved him and whom he served faithfully. Praise be to God!

The family is receiving loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday, January 27, 2023 at Wayne Boze Funeral Home, 1826 W. Hwy 287 Business, Waxahachie, TX 75165.

A funeral service to honor his life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Wayne Boze Funeral Home, followed by burial at Gateway Memorial Park Cemetery located at 2319 W. Hwy 287 Business. The funeral service will also be live-streamed.

It was Tom’s wish that any memorial tributes be made in the form of charitable donations to The Baptist General Convention of Texas care of Church Start Ups at texasbaptists.org/give or Texas Baptist Student Ministry at texasbaptists.givingfuel.com/texas-bsm.