LOCKHART, Texas — A genuine human being with a love for life is how members of the community in Lockhart remember 56-year-old William Thomas “Tommy” Chesser. Chesser, who was known throughout the community as “Coach Tommy,” tragically passed away last Thursday.
According to the Lockhart Police Department, Chesser was the victim of a fatal stabbing that escalated from a road rage incident on the night of April 21st. Chesser was transported to a nearby hospital in Kyle, Texas where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Members of the Lockhart community and CFPO Youth Football staff gathered at the football practice field outside of Navarro Elementary School.
Shelby Gonzales with CFPO says Chesser would practice with the team on that very field weekly from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. during football season.
Thirteen-year-old Jacob Tippie says Chesser was his football coach for six years. Chesser became a family friend who taught him life lessons both on and off the field.
“Coach Tommy was [a] very stand up laid-back guy. He was the nicest person I ever met. He wouldn’t hurt a fly,” said Jacob Tippie.
Helen Tippie tells Spectrum News that Chesser’s passing is a huge loss for the Lockhart community.
“He epitomized the ‘Give you the shirt off his back’ type of person — like that phrase seemed to be made for Tommy. He was known to go down to his last dime and give it to whoever needed it,” said Helen Tippie.
The group shared memories of Chesser on the football field and even found a few online videos of Chesser, full of life, enjoying a game of musical chairs.
“It was definitely a tragic, hard one, and this community lost a good, caring and loving individual,” said Gonzales.
Funeral services for Chesser will be held at McCurdy Funeral Home on Saturday, April 30 at 10 a.m., with a visitation from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.