Thomas Cipriano McBride

Thomas Cipriano McBride peacefully joined his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 3, 2018 at the age of 91 years.

Tom was born in Cevallos, Ecuador, South America on December 23, 1926 to Sterling Price McBride and his wife, Floriza Naranjo. His father was from Waco, Texas and moved to Ecuador in the 1920’s for a career with the railroads. He had a difficult childhood, but the Lord developed in him an eternally optimistic spirit and a strong faith in God, which served him well throughout his life.

Tom’s quest for opportunity was realized at age 19 when his Aunt Martha (Mattie) McBride brought him to the United States in 1946. Mattie enrolled Tom (who did not speak English) in Highland Park Middle School. Within a five year period, he graduated from Highland Park High School and SMU, earning his degree in management in 1951. Tom spent four years in the U. S. Air Force, teaching English to foreign pilots. When he became a U.S. Citizen in 1954, it was one of his proudest moments. He then went to work as a sales executive with Braniff International Airways.

Tom founded McBride Realty Company as a commercial-industrial real estate firm in 1965. His hardworking and tenacious nature helped define his character. That same year he met and married Carole Sollar from Charleston, South Carolina, who has been his loving wife for 53 years.
In 1977 he formed a new residential real estate division within his company. His wife joined him as an associate and residential broker, successfully working together for over 15 years. In 1992, he sold the residential division to another real estate firm but continued selling raw land to developers until his retirement at age 82 in 2008.

12/23/1926 – 8/3/2018

Tom’s faith and spirituality guided his interactions with others. He served as a deacon at both Highland Park Presbyterian Church and Park Cities Presbyterian Church. He was a faithful member of Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) which he loved and attended their weekly meetings for many years. He also enjoyed his “canine ministry” walking his Schnauzer dog, ToTo, daily in the neighborhood while ministering to his neighbor’s needs with kindness and caring. Everyone that knew him can attest to his passion for sharing the gospel, the grace, love and sufficiency of Jesus Christ. As a vessel for the Lord, the desire of his heart was to seek Christ and proclaim Him to all those God brought across his path.

He is survived by his wife, Carole Sollar McBride, his two sons – Thomas James McBride (Tommy) and Robert Henry McBride (Bobby); daughter-in-law, Laura Hobbs McBride; grandson, Thomas Lucas McBride (Luke); granddaughters, Kira Ann McBride and Rainey Kern McBride, all of Dallas. Other survivors include his sister, Italia Faracci Naranjo of Cuenca, Ecuador; his brother, Albert McBride of Quito, Ecuador; brothers-in-law, Jim Sollar of Charleston, S.C. and Bob and Loretta Sollar , along with nephews, Brad and Kevin Sollar of Manassas, Va.; Marcelo, Sterling, Fernando McBride; Matthew, Rachel, Stephen, Jessie McBride and Dr. David Hidalgo of New York City. Tom was predeceased by his parents and two brothers, Henry Hidalgo of Arlington, Virginia and Louis McBride of Cuenca, Ecuador.

A memorial service celebrating Tom’s life was held at Park Cities Presbyterian Church located at 4124 Oak Lawn Avenue, on Monday, August 20, 2018 at 2:00 p.m., with a reception to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Tom’s memory be made to the Providence Christian School of Texas, 5002 W. Lovers Lane, Dallas, 75209 (Attention Jill McClung) or The Cambridge School of Dallas, 3877 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, 75229 (Attention Emily Eber) where his grandchildren attended. Condolences can also be offered to the family at Sparkman Hillcrest.com.

His family expresses their deepest thanks and appreciation to Elena Hernandez and Veronica Sierra, along with Dr. Troy Neal (MedProvider) and Dr. Steve Frost (Urology Clinics of North Texas) for their kind and professional medical care for many years, along with the dedicated caregivers with Faith Presbyterian Hospice at the T. Boone Pickens Center, where he received such compassionate care during the last week of his life.

A gentleman of the old school, polite, well-mannered, a proud American, a loving husband, dedicated Dad and Grandfather and a consummate provider, Tom’s loyalty and devotion to his family and friends was visible to all who knew and loved him. He was a source of advice and wisdom, always there for those who needed him. Tom’s family mourn his loss, honor his life and celebrate the legacy he left us. He enriched the lives of many and left the world a better place. His warm words and friendly manner will be sadly missed by his family and friends. He will continue on in our hearts as a leader, teacher and a source of wisdom and inspiration to all of us, remembering his favorite Bible quote: “This is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!”

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