Dates
Erling O “Tommy” Thomesen passed away on September 8, 2017. He was born January 11, 1924 to Emil and Inga Thomesen in Buffalo, Minnesota. Tommy is survived by two children, Mike and his wife Sue of Abilene and Linda Dorris of San Angelo. He had three grandchildren, Heather Williams and her husband Jonathan of Benbrook; Robin Howell of San Angelo, and Meredith Ware and her husband Ryan of Abilene. Tommy had eight great grandchildren, Laine Williams, Bowen Williams, Reegan Howell, Blake Ware, Lawson Howell, Graham Ware, Archer Williams, and Fletcher Ware.
Tommy was a Navy lieutenant and pilot during World War II, serving at Hickam Airfield in Hawaii. After the war, he was stationed at Columbus Naval Air Station where he met Mary Jo Stewart, who became his wife on January 1 1946. They were married for 69 years.
Following the war, Tommy used the GI Bill to attend Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science. He was a mortician at Cox Funeral Home for several years, then opened Thomesen Cleaners and Laundry on West Beauregard. Later, Tommy would become manager of the San Angelo Coliseum and City Auditorium. Tommy then attended University of Houston, taking courses which enabled him to become president of Concho Educators Federal Credit Union. He retired from that post, but returned to be president of 1st Community Federal Credit Union.
Tommy was a Rotarian and had over 50 years of perfect attendance. He served as president of San Angelo West Rotary in 1972-1973 and was Rotarian of the Year in 1994-1995. He also served as President and Director of Texas Educators Credit Union Association.
The family would like to thank Tommy’s caregivers, Dianne, Marcella, and Irene. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to West Texas Rehab.