THOMAS D. GAFFNEY

Thomas Daniel Gaffney was born to James Proctor Gaffney, Sr. and Maggie Lena Butler Gaffney on June 19, 1933 in Laredo, Texas.

In 1946 the family moved to San Antonio, a short time after the move, the family united with the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church under the Pastorate of the late Rev. S. E. Steward.  It is here that Thomas accepted Christ. 

Thomas graduated from Phillis Wheatley High School of San Antonio, Texas in 1952.  After graduation he attended San Antonio College for a brief period of time he then joined the United States Air Force where he graduated from the United States Air Force School of Applied Aerospace Sciences in Colorado.  He retired from United States Air Force after 20+ years of service with the rank of Master Sergeant.

Once Thomas retired he became a driving force in the community to improve the education process for all students, encourage students to look down the road toward higher education and to get the community as a whole more involved.  He served on the Board of the San Antonio Independent School District from 1972 - 1998.  He served as president of the 35 member board of Project FREE, member of the San Antonio River Corridor Committee, member of the Executive Committee of the NAACP and was active in many more organizations.  He received numerous awards for outstanding community service and meritorious performance.

 In 1983 Thomas opened San Antonio Operation Big Vote Center to provide voter registration counseling and training to churches, schools, the disabled, PTA’s, business groups, senior citizens, etc. on the importance of being a registered voter and getting out to vote.  The center also provided computer training.  He operated this program until he became too ill to continue.

Thomas was preceded in death by his Mother, Maggie L. Gaffney; his Brothers, Houston Carnel Gaffney and James Proctor Gaffney, Jr., and one sister, Viola Gaffney. The family of Thomas Gaffney wishes to acknowledge the recent death of his nephew, Alonzo S. McKinney.

Thomas leaves his legacy and cherished memories with his three sisters,  Florence McKinney of San Antonio, Texas; Dorothy Watler of San Antonio, Texas; and Lena Jackson of San Antonio, Texas; Nieces,  Jessica Williams, Pamela Lafaye McKinney, Pamela Patterson McKinney, Charlotte McKinney, Sharee’ McKinney, Rhonda Webb and Jennifer Watler; Great Nieces, Alenzia McKinney, Courtney McKinney, Jazmin McKinney, Jordan Watler and Janay Hardy; Nephews, Keith McKinney, Eric Watler, Errol Watler, Erick  Gaffney, Sr.; Great Nephews, Erick Gaffney, Jr., Christian  McKinney, Anthony Webb and a host of cousins and other family and friends.

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