Thomas George Callahan, age 73, of rural Hondo passed away Friday, May 24, 2013. Born in Brooklyn, New York to George Callahan and Marie Weigert, he led a colorful life. He served in the US Coast Guard in air/sea rescue operations and especially enjoyed his time stationed in Alaska. Tom was very proud that he was a NY City Fireman assigned to Engine 24 in Manhattan. He put his life on the line fighting fires and continuing with rescue operations. Due to injuries sustained on the job, he retired after 14 years of service. He still maintained contact with his brothers and was devastated when his battalion was lost on Sept. 11th. He not only enjoyed fishing but was a commercial fisherman harvesting clams and lobster in the Long Island Sound. He loved bird hunting and bird dogs and was a member of the Long Island Bird Dog Club and the English Setter Club of America. He was the managing partner of a hunting preserve in New Jersey where he continued his love of dogs and hunting. He began to guide hunts in Texas and moved his family to Hondo in 1997. He was a hunting guide on various ranches in South Texas including the King Ranch. A member of Ducks Unlimited and the Alamo Retriever Club, he continued to train and breed bird dogs. Later, he switched gears and returned to his love of fishing and guided parties on the coast. Once again he joined the Coast Guard as a member of the USCG Auxiliary, assisting with boat inspections and training for rescue operations. He was a member of the Coastal Bend Guides Association and donated a lot of his time guiding for various organizations including Chemo Kids, the So. Texas Children's Home and Cast for the Cure, as well as donating fishing trips to various local organizations. He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister. He is survived by his wife, Jane; their daughter, Maura, both of Hondo; and his daughter, Kim of Miller Place, New York. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, June 3, at the Guinn-Horger Chapel.