Thomas Wade Landry was born on September 11, 1924, in Mission, Texas. That day began a life characterized with excellence, respect and integrity. Mr. Landry said that his family, church, and small town environment of Mission served as the basic values he learned as a boy. But, sports shaped and reinforced those values. As a result, leadership and excellence were seen early in Mr. Landry's life.

Through sports, competition helped him to create and shape his self-identity. In his senior year at Mission High School, he was named the team's "Most Valuable Player." In his high school career, two individuals impacted his life. One was his high school coach, Bob Martin. Mr. Landry in his autobiography wrote, "He convinced me success always requires effort. The self-respect demands your maximum effort at all times. And that your best effort always made you a winner because it meant you'd never lose your pride."

What he learned on the field about effort and doing his best, he applied in the classroom. With lots of hard work and encouragement from his math teacher, Miss Frances Dusek, Mr. Landry was inducted into Mission's National Honor Society. This achievement gave him a great sense of accomplishment.

Upon high school graduation, Mr. Landry received a football scholarship to The University of Texas at Austin; however, after one semester, he left school, in 1943, to join the Army Air Corps. During World War II, he flew thirty B-17 missions with the Eighth Air Force. Tom Landry returned to The University of Texas at Austin, in 1946, where he helped the Longhorn football team win the Sugar Bowl in 1948 and the Orange Bowl in 1949.

During the summer between his junior and senior years of college, Tom Landry worked as a boys counselor at a kids camp and dude ranch in Kerrville, Texas, called Silver Spur Ranch. Even at an early age, Tom Landry showed his leadership, excellence and character.

In 1949, Mr. Landry graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in business. Drafted by the New York Yankees of the All-American Football Conference, he signed a six thousand dollar contract and a five hundred dollar signing bonus with the Yankees. Tom Landry joined the National Football League's New York Giants the following year and he was a Giants' player and a coach. He remained the defensive coach for the Giants until 1959. Even early in his career, Tom Landry showed that he was a man of character and excellence.

In 1959, Tom Landry was named the head coach of the new NFL franchise in Dallas. Mr. Landry received the honor of being named 1966 Coach of the Year. During his twenty-nine years as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, the team posted twenty consecutive winning seasons, eighteen playoff appearances, thirteen division championships, five National Football Conference titles and two Super Bowl championships. In 1990, Coach Landry received the highest honor awarded when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 1993, Tom Landry was named to the Dallas Cowboys' Ring of Honor at Texas Stadium. The pursuit of excellence by Tom Landry has made him a champion.

Tom Landry also exemplified his integrity of character in his personal life. He married Alicia Wiggs on January 28, 1949. Alicia and Tom Landry have three children: Lisa Childress, Tom Landry, Jr., and Kitty Phillips. The Landry family has six grandchildren. The dedication of Tom Landry's autobiography reveals his love and devotion to his family. It reads, "To Alicia for a lifetime of love, devotion, and strength - and to our children and grandchildren."

Tom Landry supported youth and football through his speaking engagements with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). FCA became an important aspect of Mr. Landry's life when he was introduced to the organization in the 1960's. In his autobiography, Mr. Landry describes FCA as a "national organization aimed at presenting athletes and coaches - junior high through college - with the message and biblical teaching of Christ and challenging them to put those life-changing values into practice in their own lives."

Tom Landry was a man of character. Known throughout the world as a brilliant coach, Tom Landry was a true gentleman who exemplifies the word "leadership." His strong basic values, his commitment to excellence, his respect for his fellow man and his integrity are his lasting legacy. His pursuit of excellence in life can be seen through his self-discipline, respect, integrity and faith. Pat Riley, former coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, described Tom Landry and his career as a "lifetime of excellence and dignity." Excellence and character are traits the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District strives to instill in every student.

Tom Landry passed away on Saturday, February 12, 2000, after battling leukemia. He set an outstanding example for all the students of Tom Landry Elementary School. The Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District proudly named its first school facility in Valley Ranch in honor of Tom Landry.