Thomas W. Prikryl

Tom Prikryl passed away Tuesday, June 24, 2025 in Waco, Texas at age 92. He was born September 23, 1932 in Penelope, Texas to Rudolph and Elenora Prikryl. As a child, Tom shared farm life with his parents and 3 brothers. After graduating from high school, Tom worked on the farm until he entered the military. He was stationed in El Paso, Texas when he was discharged.

Precocious with anything mechanical, Tom was proud of the 10-foot (4-Row) shredder he built as a teenager in the 1940s. He said their 30 horsepower Oliver farm tractor only had enough PTO power to shred cotton stalks with his big shredder; There was not enough power to shred maize stalks.

Thomas married Ann Schulz on July 26, 1952. Together they raised their 3 children, Susan, Gary, and Sandra. They lived in Bellmead until 1970, at which time they moved to Bosqueville.

Thomas was interested in boating. The first family boat was homemade. In the 1970s while living in Bosqueville, Tom worked 7 days a week, most weeks, as a welder at General Tire. In the early 1970s, Tom began repairing boat propellers in the garage in his back yard after work, often working until midnight or later. Being highly skilled, good-looking, and a lot of fun, Tom attracted people like a Rock Star. Most of his friends and many of his customers at that time had the common passion that they had a need for speed. Tom could take a new high-end boat propeller out of the shipping box and alter the propeller blades to gain miles per hour. He seemed to be able to perform miracles.

Tom left General Tire and opened the family boating business, Prikryl Marine, in 1976. There Tom, Ann, and Gary sold new boats, boating accessories, and repaired boat motors. Tom also built new boat designs by taking a fiberglass boat, cutting it up, and reconstructing it for the manufacturer to use as a pattern for creating molds. Tom and his family made a living at Prikryl Marine until Tom was well into his 80s when failing health slowed him down.

Tom is survived by his daughter, Susan Helton and husband, Bill; son, Gary Prikryl; daughter, Sandra Breedlove and husband, Larry; three grandchildren; two great grandchildren; brother, Pat Prikryl and wife, Brenda in Elm Mott; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Tom was not just a regular guy. He was truly remarkable, and he will be deeply missed by his loved ones that he leaves behind.