Thomas "Tommy" Novosad Jr.

Tommy was born on June 13, 1952, in Houston, Texas, to Thomas “Tom” Sr. and Mattie Novosad. A visitation will be held on Friday, March 3, 2023 from 6pm to 8pm at Strickland Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 10am at Burleson County Cowboy Church in Caldwell with Pastor Harvey Abke officiating.  Burial will follow at the Davis-Novosad Cemetery. Tommy left this world after battling leukemia.

In 1968, at the age of 16, Tommy met his future wife Pat Davis, while riding horses at her family’s dairy farm in Caldwell. They were united in marriage on July 10, 1971 and married for 51 years. Tommy and Pat spent most of their life working side-by-side running the family businesses. After getting married, Tommy earned a degree in horticulture.  Tommy never pursued a professional career in horticulture, but he would use the knowledge he gained in college throughout his life to support his love for gardening, planting trees and pruning his climbing roses. Tommy learned the value of hard work at an early age and his work ethic continued throughout his life. Tommy expected, and even demanded, that those around also work hard.  Tommy can be credited with teaching many people throughout his life how to work and be accountable. Tommy began his career as a Union bricklayer in Austin.  His most inspired project was working on the LBJ Library in Austin. His mason career was cut short by an on the job fall that resulted in a in a severe back injury that would cause him back pain for the remainder of his life.

After the injury, Tommy was forced to start over and find a new career.  In 1980 Tommy decided to take a huge risk and start his own business in the new oil boom happening in Caldwell at the time.  Tommy didn’t know much about the oil field, but he was never afraid to do something he had never done before.  His hard work and determination made up for his lack of experience and played a huge role in the success of the business.  Soon after establishing the business, Tommy and Pat made another big gamble as Pat left her established, good paying, job at Alcoa to help Tommy take the company to the next level.  This business started as a steam company with two employees, evolving into a hot oil company with ten employees to eventually developing into the current dirt construction company which has employed as many as fifty people at times.  Running the company was more than just a job for Tommy.  He truly loved his work, the employees and customers.  Many of the employees and customers that Tommy encountered along the way became life-long friends.

Tommy was known as a generous person and always wanted to offer a helping hand to those that were willing to work.   Tommy’s big heart was also evident in his love for animals.  He had a passion for animals and spent an enormous amount of time and money breeding, providing shelter and feeding many types of animals including his rottweilers, cattle, deer, elk, peacocks, chickens, ducks, quail, turkeys and even fish!  His love for animals did have limits.  Tommy always had his .204 Ruger nearby just in case he ran across a wild hog or a predator.

Tommy was also known for his cooking talents.  His chili was award winning (but don’t ask him for his recipe) and he loved making his peach cobbler for anyone who asked.

Tommy took pride in his own accomplishments, but nothing brought more pride in his life than the accomplishments achieved by his children and grandchildren.  Not a day went by that he didn’t brag to someone about them.

Tommy always followed the motto “go big or go home”.  Whether Tommy was cooking, hunting, bragging about his grandkids, raising animals, building something or simply telling a story, you could always count on him doing it over the top and more than expected.

Tommy was a proud Shriner and a life-long member of the Caldwell Masonic Lodge.

Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Mattie (Kornegay) Novosad, and his brother, Billy Dan Novosad, grandparents, Theodore and Mavis Novosad.

He is survived by his wife, Pat (Davis) Novosad of Caldwell, his sons, Thomas (Trey) Novosad III and wife Nicki, Truett Novosad and wife Crystal, and his sister Paula Zingelmann and husband Roy, and brother Ted Novosad and wife Sherry.

Tommy’s pride and joy were his grandchildren: Austin, Randi, Addison, Riley, and Weston Novosad

Serving as Pallbearers: Jody Adamek, Mike Ofczarzak, Mike Coker, Pablo Alvarez, Jobani Alvarez, Larry Blum, and Austin Novosad.

Serving as Honorary Pallbearers: James Beaty, Jimmy Dan Smith, Jose Silos, Johnny Becka, Thomas Maddux, Darrell Chmelar, Dave Schoenemann, Ernest Ofczarzak, and Glenn Supak

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Tommy’s memory by donating to the Burleson County Cowboy Church. Donations can be made to 300 County Road 169, Caldwell, Texas 77836, or St. Jude Children’s Cancer Research Hospital, https://www.stjude.org, on website scroll down to “give in a loved one’s memory.”