Thomas "Tommy" W. Matusek, 68, of Westhoff passed away January 14, 2022 at his home with his wife by his side.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Mary Isabel Matusek, James Freeman, and close friend, Cato Cathy, who was like a brother to him.

Tommy was born on March 20, 1953 in Houston.  As a young boy, he was always ready to do work and started mowing neighbors' lawns with a reel mower.  After finding a gas mower abandoned on the side of the road, Tommy rebuilt and used his new treasure to further his emerging business.  A few years later, although not of driving age, he bought a 1957 Chevy Bel Air with his lawn mowing earnings.  This led to his passion for cars. As a teenager, Tommy and his friend, George Owens, built a 1971 Chevy II and began drag racing across the country.  This would lead to his next adventure.

George and Tommy began Owens Racing Engines in Pearland where they built high performance racing engines for their customers.  This would lead Tommy to join RPM (Rezek, Payne, Matusek) that raced a 1977 Chevy Laguna at the NASCAR Speedways.  After working 16 hour days for three years, he left RPM and returned to Owens.  In 1980, he was hired at Monsanto as an operator and became a fire captain for 15 years until retirement in 2007.

He and his wife moved from Santa Fe, Texas to Westhoff to start their new life.  They would join Christ the King Lutheran Church in Mission Valley where Tommy became an Elder and the Building Manager.  He helped facilitate the purchase of a church for sale in Placedo and made the arrangements for Clegg Industries to move the church to 236 CR 237.  Tommy lead the refurbishing of the church and the church was dedicated on April 24, 2016.  He was the head of the Maintenance and Repair office and took care of any problems that arose.  It was said many times, "if Tommy can't fix it, it's really broke!"

Tommy was given The State of Texas Directors Award in recognition of his professional response to a life-threatening situation resulting in the saving of lives on April 28, 2018. He was always ready to lend a helping hand and had a passion for helping those in need.

Tommy had a great sense of humor and loved to joke around with family and friends.  He will be missed very much by all who knew him, but most of all by his wife, Penne.

He is survived by his loving wife, Penne; son, Scott Matusek (Ashley); daughter, Ashley Baurkemper (Jason); sister, Mary Selman; brother, Steve Matusek; and grandchildren, Garrett, Keely, and Bristol.

Visitation will be Friday, January 28, 2022 from 5 to 7 pm at Freund Funeral Home.  Services will be Saturday, January 29, 2022, 10 am, at Freund Funeral Home with Pastor Michael Couchman of Christ the King Lutheran Church officiating.  Interment will follow at Westhoff Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Christ the King Lutheran Church in Mission Valley or Hospice of South Texas.