- Date Of Birth: May 5, 1927
- Date Of Death: September 5, 2018
- State: Texas
Tom was born in Bells, Texas on May 5, 1927. His parents were Emma and Leland Hestand. When Tom was young the family moved to Denison, Texas where he grew up and attended school until graduating from High School. Tom had one brother, Bill Joe Hestand, who was 14 months older than him.
Growing up, Tom and the rest of the family worked at his family’s restaurant. He always joked about the cook telling him he was the worst dishwasher they ever had. He seemed to enjoy that distinction since he liked telling everyone about it.
In High School, Tom played football, basketball and ran track. He even stayed over one extra year to play another year of football. He was 18 on May 10thand graduated May 30th and was drafted into the army on June 1st. He and his friend rode the interurban to Dallas for induction, take the physical and get sworn in. At that time, they could sign up for the Marines, Navy or Army but the Marines and Navy had their quota. So, Tom signed up for the Paratroopers.
Tom met Wanda Yowell when they were juniors in high school. On May 30, 1946, they were married after he returned from Japan where he had been stationed. Shortly afterward they moved to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina where he was assigned to the 82ndAirborne. After his discharge from the army they moved back to Sherman, Texas so he could attend Austin College in Sherman. While attending Austin College, Tom played football, baseball and was on the track team.
Wanda and Tom were married over 71 years until Wanda died August 14, 2017. They had 4 children: Terry Hestand of Leander, TX, Cynthia Hestand of Spicewood, TX, Sondra Freeman of Round Rock, TX and Susan Hestand who died as an infant. They have four grandchildren: Ashley Hestand, Savannah Hestand, Lauren Wilson and Lindsay Morton. They also have three great-grand children: Jett Hestand, Avery Morton and Asher Morton.
