| Thomas Radcliffe Reckling,
III
Class of 1950
Thomas Reckling was an outstanding scholar, athlete, and student
leader during his five years as a student at St. Thomas High School.
He was a member to the prestigious St. Thomas Club during his entire
tenure as a student while being the only player in the history of
the school to start for the varsity baseball team for five years.
He also served on the Student Council and was President of the Letterman's
Club. Upon graduation, he attended Rice Institute where he excelled
in academics and baseball.
Following his graduation from Rice, he was commissioned as a Second
Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and was assigned to the
First Marine Air Wing in Phang Kong, South Korea, where he served
for thirteen months.
Discharged in 1956 as a First Lieutenant, Mr. Reckling joined Anderson
Clayton Company. After three years with the cotton company, he joined
the investment firm of Harris Upham & Co. His accomplishments
in the investment field attracted Schneider, Burnet, & Hickman
to appoint him founding manager of their Houston office. Mr. Reckling
was also co-owner of R & R Distributing Company of Brownsville,
Texas, which distributed Coor's products for Cameron and Hildigo County.
He also served on the board of the North Side State Bank in Houston.
Tom and his wife Isla, the former Isla Carol Cowen, will celebrate
their fortieth weddding anniversary in October 1997. They have raised
eight children who are parents of their eithgeen grandchildren. Five
Reckling sons, Thomas IV "Cliffe" '79, Stephen '80, James
'83, Thomas Kelly '85, and John '88 graduated from St. Thomas. Their
three daughter s are Randa Roach, Christiana McConn, and Carol Goodman.
Tom, Isla, and their children serve our community in various areas
of philanthropy. Tom is president of the Turner Charitable Trust,
which was founded by Isla's grandmother, Mrs. Percy Turner. Isla and
the children serve as Trustees. Thom has served on the St. Thomas
High School Foundation Board, Board of Sheltering Arms, and Budget
Review Panel of the United Way.
The Reckling Family attends St. Michael's Church where Tom has served
as President of the Parent Teacher Association and Athletic Director.
Tom was involved with little league baseball for twelve years and
youth basketball for five years.
Mr. Reckling was inducted into the Hall of Honor on December 3, 1996.
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