Raymond Thomas "Tommy" Gass, Sr. was born January 30, 1946 in Many, LA, to Elbert and Elma Lee Walker Gass. He grew up in Hornbeck, LA and when he wasn't playing baseball or basketball, he was salting cow hides as a youngster.

During his teenage years he joined both his parents working for the local grocer at Jett's General Store as a delivery driver. His parents purchased Jett's General Store and named it Gass Grocery & Hardware, where he continued to work during high school; while maintaining top honors in grades and sports. He graduated Valedictorian from Hornbeck High School in 1964. Shortly thereafter he received a draft notice and reported to duty twice, but fortunately for him, his blood pressure was too high both times. He then started at Northwestern State College NSU and while maintaining an excellent GPA, he pursued an almost excellent pool shooting enterprise at the student center- becoming known as " The Pool Shark". He continued his entrepreneurial endeavors selling donuts, sandwiches, and cold watermelon in the dorms, out of his dorm room in Bossier Hall. Tommy left college to enter the workforce at a paper mill in Elizabeth, LA.

His parents were adamant that he needed to get a college degree, so to please them he went back to college, but the money bug had already bit him. This time, he went to work operating a crane in construction at Brown & Root in Houston, TX in the late 1960's. He then met Helen Pelt, and they married in May 1970. While working construction full time, he built himself a side business selling tools out of his custom box truck, and if he wasn't driving it, Helen was. He remained in Houston working for B&R  'til the late 1980's, but moved back to Hornbeck, to take over his parents' store after their retirement. His time in Hornbeck was short, as he soon went back to work for B&R, which eventually led him back to Houston and his children. He quickly started selling tools again on the side at local flea markets, anytime he was away from B&R. In the early 1990's he left B&R and opened his own tool store, that was very successful at the original location off of Shaw and 225 in Pasadena. Unfortunately, he was forced to move to a different location, but never was able to duplicate the success he had at the original one.

Twenty years ago, he joined his son Tommy, II and became his right-hand man in business at Gass Automotive. Soon thereafter, he is lovingly referred to as Pop by all of their employees and vendors, where his signature token of appreciation was handing them a gold dollar coin at every transaction. He continued to work there up until 3.5 weeks ago due to failing health. He was strong in his faith and was proud to let anyone know that he had read the Bible 4 times, cover to cover, this year alone.

Pop passed away peacefully inside of his home, surrounded by family, on October 12, 2024, under hospice care.

He is preceded in death by both his parents, and sister Evelyn Jeannette Lucius. His legacy continues with Helen Reininger, the mother of his children, son Tommy, II (Cacey), and daughter Heather Parton (Wesley). Known to his grandchildren as G.G. (Grandfather Gass): Brendan Corr (Rachel), Makenzie Hernandez (Alex), Kennedy, Kori, great-grandsons Hudson, Briggs, brother-in-law Sidney Lucius, nieces, nephews, and a host of cousins.

His celebration of life will be held on October 18, 2024, at Peevey Funeral Home in Houston. Visitation will begin at 2:00PM, followed by a service at 3:00PM with Pastor Chris Richey officiating. Honorary pallbearers include: Wesley Parton, Brendan Corr, Rob Wittrig, John Jozwiak, Sam Lucius, and Reggie Pelt. Burial will be the following day in Florien Cemetery at 2pm in Florien, LA.