Our Story

The Tres Grace Family Foundation was created in 2019, to honor the spirit of Grace W. Dobson, whose legacy of generosity during her lifetime will be carried forward to benefit generations to come.

Grace’s quiet strength and kindness have inspired her three children, grandchildren and her Whataburger family to live benevolently and strengthen communities through engaged and mindful philanthropy. 

The foundation – with children Tom, Lynne and Hugh on the board – aspires to embody qualities displayed by Grace and her beloved husband Harmon, whose faith instilled in them integrity, compassion and perseverance. The Dobsons rely on the values of family unity to guide their giving. 

The story begins in 1950, when Harmon Dobson, an Arkansas native, came to Texas with dreams of making it big in the oil business, but instead prospered in big burgers, opening the first Whataburger stand in Corpus Christi in August of that year. 

Harmon and Grace met in her hometown of Batesville, Arkansas and married in 1955. Harmon was a gregarious man, outgoing and adventurous; Grace was more reserved and private. They complemented one another, sharing success and happiness in business and home life. They quickly grew their family to five and the number of Whataburger stores to more than 40 by 1967. But in April of that year, a plane accident cut short Harmon’s life, leaving her with three children and a thriving business. She met many life challenges with stoic determination and her strong Methodist faith. 

After his death, Grace’s resolve to honor her husband’s wishes to preserve the company never wavered. She gathered skilled managers and leaders around her to help navigate Whataburger into an era of unprecedented growth, which allowed for greater philanthropic opportunities personally and through the business. She was committed to learning about community needs so her gifts would provide hope, empowerment and support in the most meaningful, sustainable ways. In 2003, she was named Corpus Christi Philanthropist of the Year. 

She lived her life as a caring mother to many and was known as “Lady Grace” in her final years. When Grace passed at 80 in 2005, the legacy she and Harmon created has been humbly and lovingly carried on by her children and grandchildren. 

Through the Tres Grace Family Foundation, the giving will go on.