Thomas O. Marz, 79, of Houston, passed away Thursday, September 8, 2011, at Christus St. Joseph Hospital. He was born January 8, 1932, in Erie, PA, and retired from the United States Air Force with the rank of Master Sgt. in 1970 after 20 years of service. In 1983, Thomas founded Colonial Brass of Houston, an antique metal restoration company, which he owned and operated until his death. He enjoyed bowling, was an avid Houston Rockets and Astros fan, and enjoyed spoiling his dog, Sandy. Thomas was active in the SPCA, the Houston Humane Society, and the Feed the Children Fund.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Adam Ralph and Ruth Evelyn Marz; brothers, Ralph and Andrew Marz; and sisters, Evelyn Kwiatkowski, Eleanor Fratto, Helen Barrante, and Carol Ross.

He is survived by his daughters, Sherrie Blanchard and Kellie McCarty; sons, Mark Marz, Michael McKinney, and Earl Dean Walton; grandchildren: Melissa McKinney, Eric McCarty, Adam McCarty, Ryan McKinney, Tabbatha McCarty, Dani Walton, Shannan Blanchard, Katrina Lane, Lucas Walton, Sarah Lane, Mikayla Marz, Jonathan Marz, and Daniel Blanchard; great grandchild, Carter Juliet Canales; sister, Myrtle McDonald; brothers, Erwin “Oliver” Marz and Kenneth Marz; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Graveside service will be 11:30 am, Wednesday, September 14th, at Houston National Cemetery.