Thomas Hayden Luce, 78, passed away October 26, 2015, at his home in Kyle, Texas, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Mr. Luce was born May 28, 1937, in Corpus Christi, Texas, to parents, Willie (Fiddler) Luce and Ruby Jane Duncan Luce.
Mr. Luce graduated in 1959 from Texas A&I University with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education. He was elected Student Body Vice President and served as Captain of the King’s Rifles. He served in the United States Army from 1959–1962, and was discharged as a First Lieutenant.
While stationed in Fort Polk, Louisiana, Mr. Luce met and married the love of his life, Ruby Lea Williams. After receiving his Master’s in Education Administration, he began his life-long service in the Texas public school system as a teacher and administrator. He served as President of the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals in 1981-1982.
He completed his career in education as Superintendent of Schools in the Boling ISD in 1993. He and Ruby then moved to Buda, Texas, to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
Mr. Luce is survived by his wife of 53 years, Ruby; daughters, Beverly Kauffmann (Jeff) and Leslie Jones (Darrell); brother, Carl L. Luce; four grandchildren, Christine Kauffmann Hansen (Mike), Michael Kauffmann, Matthew Jones, and Cate Jones; his only great-grand child, Brooke Ann Hansen; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins throughout Texas and Louisiana.
A memorial service in celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, October 31, at 2:00 p.m. at Manchaca United Methodist Church, 1011 FM 1626, Manchaca, Texas 78652. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice Austin (hospiceaustin.org).
