Roll Call Tribute

Published in Houston Chronicle on Aug. 22, 2014

Thomas Bolling Jr.
Thomas Jones Bolling, Jr. passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on August 12, 2014. He was born in Edna, Texas on May 27, 1921. After graduating from Edna High School, he pursued a degree in mechanical engineering at Texas A&M University and graduated in 1943. While at A&M, Tom served as President of the Student Council of Engineering and as a Battalion Commander in the Corps of Engineers. He was recognized in Who's Who of American Colleges and Universities. After graduating, Tom spent the next two years as a Company Commander of Combat Engineers in the 1264th Army Battalion in Europe during World War II. He later served as a Captain in the Korean War from 1950 to 1952.
After his time in the Service, Tom was a successful Mechanical Engineer in Houston. While working for companies including Hydril, SEDCO, and The Baylor Company, he acquired over 20 patents for oil field and mechanical equipment. He also served as President of the Houston Council of Professional Engineers. In 1983, he moved to Baton Rouge where he had an active retirement working as a volunteer at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital and the The Women's Hospital. He continued his lifelong interests in cartoon drawing and making balloon animals and was elected as a member of Clown Alley. He was known in the community as Pop the Balloon Man and helped raise money for many charities with his balloon shows. He and his wife Frances were also active in Jefferson United Methodist Church and the Village Woods Retirement Community.
Tom moved back to Houston to Houston in 2011, where he continued to delight family members, children, and residents of the Atria and Treemont Communities with his balloon shows.
He is survived by his two children, Bob Bolling and his wife, Susan, LaNoe Bolling Westheimer and her husband, Robert, three stepchildren, Pete Laguens and wife Dana , Douglas Laguens, and Debbie Laguens as well as many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The family will have a private service at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Newspring, 8945 Longpoint, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77055, Esperanza Enrichment Program, c/o Chapelwood UMC, 11140 Greenbay, Houston, TX 77024 or to your favorite charity .