As announced in a previous issue of STROLL magazine, all our Fourth of July are different. This year’s parade was distinguished by having our neighbors, Karen and Tom McCall. A U.S. Congressional Patriot Award medalist, as our Grand Marshalls.  Tom and Karen have lived in Stonebriar Village for 31 years. In his words, they “bought the dirt” in 1993 and built their home on Canyon Crest.  The couple celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary this summer.  They have a son and daughter and two grandchildren in Chicago and Boston, respectively. 

 

Congressional Patriot Award candidates are nominated by representatives to recognize people in their districts who offer their time and talent for the benefit of their communities through “excellence, leadership, volunteerism, and selflessness” – foundational virtues of our Republic. According to the award document, “less than 1/1000th of 1% of Americans have been honored with this prestigious award.”  Pat Fallon, our District 4 Representative, nominated Tom for this honor.  It was during Pat’s early political career on the Frisco City Council and as a fellow parishioner at Holy Cross Catholic Church in The Colony, that he and Tom began an enduring friendship and professional relationship working on projects at the city, state, and now the national level. 

 

Tom’s professional qualifications provided valuable expertise for his post-retirement volunteer career and ultimately this award.  He spent his professional career in the financial industry, beginning as an accountant with Price Waterhouse Coopers, and moved on from there to executive positions at Xerox Financial Services and Old American Insurance.  He was also a principal in two start-up companies that were acquired by national corporations. 

 

Tom’s impressive commitment to volunteerism began on the Leadership Council of Manhattan College in 1968. Since then, he has devoted time to Scouting International (formerly Boy Scouts of America); healthcare service through Saint Baldrick’s Children’s Cancer Research, Hope for Vision, and Serving HIM (Healthcare International Ministries); and to his Catholic faith through volunteering with the Catholic Diocese of Ft. Worth, Holy Cross Catholic Church, and the Knights of Columbus. Tom’s devotion to offering his skill and time to make a difference is fully deserving of this award and is inspirational to all.  We thank Tom for his generosity and warmly congratulate him on receiving this prestigious honor.