Tom Greico, R.I.P.
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We regret to inform our community of the passing of Tom Greico, a Dallas Builders Association Honored Life Director, a CandysDirt preferred builder and founding partner of this website, an eclectic Dallas figure, and a brilliant home builder who pioneered modern vision in many Dallas neighborhoods when most of us were just learning what transitional meant.
As Phil Crone, Executive Officer of the Dallas Builder’s Association wrote, “Because Tom Greico brought light to every room he entered, his passing is especially difficult to convey.”
It is particularly difficult for us here at CandysDirt.com. I have personally known Tom Greico for years, meeting him early in my career as a real estate reporter. I toured his first homes in Midway Hollow and East Dallas, and heard him describe what he was creating with a passion few home builders possess, probably due to the fact that he was both an architect as well as a homebuilder. There was a methodology to every angle, and nothing was impossible. Tom had a zest for living and for life, which was translated into his homes. He was also one of the most gracious men you could ever meet. He was naturally happy and brought out the best not just in, but for, everyone he was around.
The truth is, Tom loved designing and building homes more than anything. He was a 1983 graduate of the school of Architecture at the University of Texas.
“I have been designing homes in Dallas since I was in high school,” he would say. He started his home building business immediately after architecture school. Tom was an active member of the Dallas Builder’s Association for more than 30 years, and a pioneer of modern home building in North Texas. He was one of the first custom home builders to build contemporary spec homes and populate traditional neighborhoods with them. His homes didn’t look starkly modern, they had a warmth to them that made you want to walk right in the door, said his brother, Frank Greico, also a North Texas home builder.
“He inspired scores of others to follow,” writes Phil, “and his legacy will remain a part of our future for decades to come. Tom’s contributions as a home builder and a friend have made our industry and all of us individually better.”
Our hearts are aching with his family and loved ones.
We will have more on services and visitation arrangements as they become available so please check in with us later today.
1102 Easton Road is a new build by Tom Greico of Greico Modern Homes. It will be one of the many cool stops on the White Rock Home Tour April 25-26.
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Super sad…Nice guy!! and great Builder. I sponsored his build pictured above at the White Rock Home Tour a few years ago. He was so proud of it and the owners had a great working relationship with him…this says a lot about his passion for his craft.
I have known Tom as a friend for the last 10 years. Your tribute notice is beautiful Yes, he did bring light to every room he entered. His dry sense of humor and laughter were contagious. He will be missed by his clients, friends and colleagues. He had so much integrity, was so down to earth and had a beautiful heart. He has left this world far too soon.
Janelle Rawlston, our realtor who sold the Tom Greico home we bought new and lived in for 20 years, sent me this sad news. He built a light-filled, well-functioning home before open concept became popular; it had niches which prompted my husband and me to raise our taste in home decor to fill them with art and enjoy them every day. Just a year ago I called him for information our prospective buyer requested, and he graciously gave me information and advice. I had the pleasure of telling him that “his” home sold well over list price in 3 days. When I hear the words “a prince of a man,” I think of Tom Greico.
Tom built my dream house for me on White Rock lake. You know how people love to diss builders? Well I happened to have a fantastic experience Tom. Sure there were the delays and the almost screw-ups. But in the end what he built was what we wanted. I was trying to convince my sister to move to Dallas and I told Tom he will have to deal with me again.
I am truly saddened. He made my dream come true. I wake up every morning and am grateful to be where I am. Tom made it happen.
Thank you for the very nice and accurate tribute to Tom. Some of us knew Tom Greico not as a builder but as a friend and poker player at a semi regular friendly game. Tom wasn’t very good at poker but his good nature, humor and warmth was always welcomed. He will be missed but not forgotten. In heaven Greico a flush still beats a straight.
Thank you Candy for the nice tribute to my brother Tom.
Well said. Loved by so many and made dreams come true for so many people. He is leaving his family with a void that we won’t be able to fill. Thanks for the great article.
I knew Tom in high school and worked with him when I got out of college for several years. He loved residential design and actively pursued new ways to see the home and how people live. He nspired many of us to keep pushing the creative boundarues of responsible design. 30 years later I can still hear his contageous laugh.
Oh wow….I’m devastated to hear this. We were getting ready to build a home with Tom starting next month!!! He was currently helping us do all kinds of stuff that takes up his time….and WE WEREN”T EVEN UNDER CONTRACT WITH HIM, nor had we given him a check yet!! He was a super GRACIOUS man. I’m very upset that we will miss this opportunity to own a awesome Greico Modern Home and get to know Tom more. I don’t know what happened to him, but boy are my husband and I upset about this news. Our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends.
I lived across the street from Tom in Carrollton for 10 years or so, and just heard today that he passed – my sincere condolences! Even though Tom and I were as far apart politically as two people could be, that never came between us, and every time Tom and I saw each other we were both smiling, laughing, and joking. No matter what was going on in the world or the neighborhood, Tom brought sunshine into each day. I so admired Tom’s work, and I was SO envious that I didn’t live in a home that Tom designed – but interacting with Tom on a regular basis when were each coming and going in the neighborhood was a great part of life – ALWAYS when I walked back to my house after a chat with Tom, my day was better than before – his humor and decency were traits that made the world better – I’ll miss him!