Billy R. ’52
Trimmier
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San Antonio, TX
Because Billy Trimmier was interested in dairy husbandry and a school with a strong agricultural program, enrolling at A&M was a natural choice.
At that time, freshmen were housed in barracks at Bryan Air Force Base, where true, lifelong friendships were forged. He was part of C-Troop Cavalry in the Corps of Cadets, and he has many memories of “studying, laughing, plotting stunts against the visiting upperclassmen” and forging friendships that would last a lifetime. He was asked to join the Ross Volunteers as a junior cadet, and he says the integrity and leadership that surrounded him were always an inspiration.
Although he ended up dropping out for some time due to health problems, Trimmier returned to school after marrying Ruth Pfeil and earned a degree from the College of Veterinary Medicine in 1956. He then served in the Active Reserve as a commissioned officer with the U.S. Veterinary Corps. During this time, he and a partner began a veterinary practice in San Antonio.
“The education and my experiences in the Corps of Cadets prepared me for my career as a practicing veterinarian, president of the Texas Veterinary Medical Association and an Outstanding Alumnus in veterinary medicine,” he said.
Grateful for his time at Texas A&M, Trimmier has been dedicated in his support to Texas A&M. He has more than 50 years of contributions to the Century Club and is also an Endowed Century Club member. He is also proud that all his children are A&M graduates. “I’ve always felt it was an honor to be a Texas Aggie and was blessed to give back to Texas A&M.”
Suzy and Rob D.
Trimble, III ’71
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Whitehouse, TX
Rob D. Trimble III ’71 and his family talk quite a bit about what makes Texas A&M so special. They talk about the school’s core values and for what Texas A&M stands—how “there’s just something unique about Aggies.” “Before they ever started talking about core values—before they named them off and engraved them in marble and printed them on banners—it was already there,” he said. “You absolutely felt it.”They talk about tradition, Muster, Bonfire, game days and friendship.But more than anything, they talk about how Aggieland has painted broad strokes of maroon across their family legacy.With a Class of ’40 dad and a mom who “was as much of an Aggie as any Aggie around,” Trimble was born an Aggie. “I really was,” he said. His earliest memories involve crowding around the family radio on Aggie football game days, bumping elbows with his sister and parents to get closer so they could hear over the scratchy reception. Trimble’s parents were active in the Panola County A&M Club and organized years of Musters at Holly Lake Ranch. “They held them in their house until the group outgrew the space,” he said. “I’ve been to Musters for almost 60 years now.”Once at A&M, Trimble married his high school sweetheart the summer between his sophomore and junior year. Eventually, they welcomed three children. “Turns out, they all loved the school as much as I did,” he said. They all have a Class year and a diploma from Texas A&M. They each have their own story. Their oldest—who married a Diamond Darling—played Aggie baseball and the family rarely missed a game. “Our daughter has her Ph.D. in Fish Camp,” he laughed. And their son couldn’t pass up the opportunity introduce an Aggie fl air when naming his twin daughters Anna and Marie. “When you add the last name Trimble, you get ATM,” Trimble said.He couldn’t be more proud of any of them—and not just because they all wear Aggie Rings, but because they are his family. A&M just adds another layer to the bonds that unite the Trimbles. “Yes, Texas A&M has been very good to my family,” he said. “Aggieland has been making great memories in my family for over 75 years. Who knows what’s ahead?”
Patricia B. and Thomas E.
Trainer ’74
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Grapevine, TX
Tom's family had a tradition of attending Texas A&M with his grandfather, father, older brother, and younger brother all graduating from Texas A&M. After graduating, he spent 4 years in the US Army at the Tank Automotive Command in Warren, MI. After fulfilling his military commitment, he worked as a civilian for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the next 33 years, culminating his career as the Chief of the Engineering Division for the Sacramento, CA District. He married the love of his life, Patricia in 1993 and they enjoyed 30 years together until her passing in 2023.
Tom says Texas A&M has always had a special place in his heart and he wanted to give back in repayment for all the fond memories and lessons that he learned while there.
Hiltrud and William C.
Torbett, III ’54
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William Torbett gave this endowment in honor of his parents, Viola E. Torbett and the late William C. “Dub” Torbett ’23 of Dallas. William C. Torbett III earned a BBA degree in 1955 and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army in 1977.
Melanie S. ’76 and P. William
Toler ’76
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Cincinnati, OH
Bill is a 1976 graduate of Texas A&M with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Bill served in the United States Army as a field artillery officer for four years in Germany before joining Procter & Gamble in 1980. He was one of the key architects of P&G’s industry leading joint business development approach with its customers. Bill has since served in general manager roles for P&G in most regions of the world. In addition to having served as a Representative at Large for The Association of Former Students, Bill served as a member of Texas A&M University’s Vision 2020 Task Force and the President’s Vision 2020 Advisory Council.
Thomas C.
Todd ’58
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Mobile, AL
Thomas Todd was the Manager of Procurement and Materials at Brown & Root, Inc. He has had a 19-year career with Brown & Root following nine years service with MAPCO Inc. in Tulsa. Todd was president of the Northeast Harris County A&M Club and the Tulsa A&M Club.
Carolyne and M. Wayne
Tinsley ’62
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Spring, TX
M. Wayne Tinsley ’62 graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting. After serving in the Air Force, Tinsley was employed and retired after 33 years with ExxonMobil in Houston, Texas. He held a variety of prestigious audit and controllership positions throughout his career. Tinsley is also a former director of the Exxon Employees Credit Union.
We have been giving to The Association for a long time helped by the generous match from the ExxonMobil Education Foundation. We are also members of the 12th Man Foundation. My son and I attend every Aggie home football game with the same seats we have had for 30 years. I was in the Aggie Band while attending Texas A&M and thus was imbued with the Aggie Spirit early. One of our biggest joys was seeing our son, Michael, graduate from Texas A&M in the mid 1990’s. He bleeds maroon just like his father.'
Bradley H.
Tidwell '83
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Longview, Texas
Bradley H. Tidwell '83 Endowed Century Club Fund
Perry
Thompson Jr. ’63
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Tyler, TX
Perry Thompson Jr. graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. Upon graduation, he worked for the Highway Department in Tyler, Texas, for nearly 10 years as a licensed engineer and surveyor, inspecting roads and bridges. He started his own engineering and surveying company in 1972, Thompson & Associates Inc.
Donna and James R.
Thompson ’68
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Kaufman, TX
Jim graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in Architectural Construction. As a student, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and Ross Volunteers and was named a Distinguished Military Graduate. Following graduation, Jim joined the United States Air Force and served as an instructor pilot until 1973. After gaining ten years of construction experience, he founded James R. Thompson, Inc., with offices now located in Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston. JRT prides itself as an award-winning company, focusing on the construction of low-rise buildings, interior finish-out and renovation. James R. Thompson, Inc. celebrated 27 years in January 2010 and has been awarded the Associated General Contractors (AGC) Summit Award 18 times and the AGC State Award seven times. Jim is a member of Texas A&M’s Construction Industry Advisory Council, the Legacy Society, the President’s Board of Visitors for the Corps of Cadets, the Corps of Cadets Association and the 12th Man Foundation’s Advisory Board. In 2000, he received the Outstanding Alumnus Award from the College of Architecture. Jim has funded a President’s Endowed Scholarship, two Sul Ross Endowed Scholarships and a Construction Science Endowed Scholarship. In addition to serving Texas A&M, Jim served on the Kaufman ISD School Board for 15 years and helped found the Kaufman ISD Scholarship Foundation. He is a former trustee of the Texas Association of School Boards as well as the Kaufman County Appraisal District. Jim is a member of the Kaufman County A&M Club and has served as a Class Agent for the Class of ’68. He and his wife, Donna Beth, have three sons, Lance, Ryan ’95 and Cody ’01.
Flora and Perry
Thompson ’33
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Perry entered the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas and majored in the electrical engineering in 1933. After graduation, Thompson went to work for L.E. Myers Co./SWEPCO as a surveyor and engineer. In 1936, Thompson started his own company, Perry Thompson Surveying. During World War II, he was the chief surveyor and engineer for Big Inch Pipeline (war emergency) from Galveston to Cincinnati, Ohio.
Jessica and Laurent C.
Therivel ’96
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Dallas, TX
Laurent Therivel ’96 double-majored in marketing and business administration at Texas A&M and went on to receive his MBA from Harvard Business School. His time at Texas A&M shaped his approach, beliefs, and philosophy for working with other people and gave him a sense of unity and purpose. He wants future students to have that same experience and to feel part of something special, as he did. Therivel understands that education is a combination of exposure to new ideas, beliefs, and opportunities, as well as knowledge, and that the university requires adequate resources to remain a place where students not only learn a skill, but also learn how to lead and treat each other with empathy and respect.
Therivel remembers earning his Corps Brass as a freshman in Corps of Cadets Company E-2 and how proud he felt that his team worked together to achieve this goal. He was regiment commander and also served as vice president in Student Government. Through those experiences and Aggie rituals like Silver Taps, the Aggie Honor Code, and Muster, Therivel learned how to inspire people to be a part of something bigger than themselves. This gave him the foundation to be successful in the Marine Corps, in business, and as a husband and father.
Clifford A.
Taylor, Jr. ’49
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Dallas, TX
Clifford Taylor served as Corporate President of the Clifford Taylor Company, Inc. and Trustee and Business Manager of the Ella C. McFadden Charitable Trust. He also served as an Advisory Director of the Texas A&M University Development Foundation, Chairman of the Texas A&M Liberal Arts Development Council and Director of The Aggie Club.
Carole and Van H.
Taylor ’71
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Bryan, TX
Van H. Taylor ’71 graduated from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and in 1975 received his master’s degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Van has worked for 32 years with the Southwestern Bell Company and is currently President of Network Services for the Southwest Region. He serves as a Board Member for The Association of Former Students, is on the College of Engineering Advisory Council and the OPAS Statewide Advisory Council.
Being an Aggie taught me the value of friendship, the importance of trust and hard work and the confidence to take on new challenges.
Kristin M. ’91 and Derek P.
Tatum ’91
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Houston, TX
Derek P. Tatum ’91 is a Senior Pharmaceutical Sales Representative for GlaxoSmithKline. He graduated from Nicholls State University in 1988 with a degree in Finance and also graduated from Texas A&M University in 1991 with a degree in Management. Derek was recently awarded the GSK 2002 Winner’s Circle, which is a top sales award.
His wife, Kristin M. Tatum ’91 is a Divisional Controller for Kinder Morgan Energy Partners. She graduated from Texas A&M University in 1991 with a degree in Accounting.
We attribute our success to the education and experiences we received at Texas A&M and feel it is important to share this success with The Association.