Thomas Arthur Pletcher

Thomas Pletcher, 88 of Douglass, TX passed away Wednesday, September 6, 2023 in Douglass, Tx.

Funeral Service for Mr.  Pletcher will be at 2:00 pm Monday, September 11, 2023 at Laird Funeral Home with Brother Paul Sevar.

Visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00 pm on Monday, September 11, 2023 at Laird Funeral Home.

Interment will be at Douglass Cemetery following the service.

Thomas Pletcher was born in Howard Township (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania) the son of Lewis Robert & Amber Nadean Neff Pletcher and was the last surviving of his 7 older siblings.  He graduated from Howard High School in 1954, where he played tuba in the band during the entirety of his 4 years there.  Thomas joined the United States Navy in 1954 and honorably served until 1958 and then remained as a Reserve US Naval member until 1962.  Upon his return home, he met and married Alta Mae Steadman on July 28, 1956 in Park City, Tennessee.  They spent the next 61 years supporting and loving each other, until her passing in 2015.  Together, they raised their children and were very proud of each of them.  Thomas  was very proud of his career working for NASA.  He was assigned to Red Stone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, Kennedy Space Center in Titusville, Florida and Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.  He retired on June 3, 1993 but continued working as an Engineer for Lockheed Martin and Hernandez Engineering for another 10 years.  After retirement, he and Alta made their way to East Texas and where they settled in Douglass in 2001 and Thomas worked another 2 years as a cashier at Douglass Café.  He was a devoted member of Calvary Baptist Church in Nacogdoches where he served as Deacon, was a member of the Renewal Sunday School Class, the Sanctuary Choir and the Joyful Sound Choir.

Thomas loved all children but his greatest joys were his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  His joyful heart would simply light up whenever he was blessed to have them around.  He had a very special bond with his grandson, Hunter, who lived next door.

Thomas will be missed by his children, Debbie Wallace & husband, Melvin, Tom Pletcher, Jr. & wife, Annette and Kathy VanAuken & husband, Mike; grandchildren, Tanya & Jimmy Brown , Shannon VanAuken, Kyle & Tiffany Wallace, Cody & Rachel Pletcher, Casie & Brian Stegint and Dustin Pletcher; great grandchildren, Hunter & Callie Stegint, Tyler & Kylie Wallace and Jadyn Pletcher.

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