Tommy Meinecke '71
November 2, 2017 9:17 AM
updated: November 2, 2017 9:20 AM
Hillier Funeral Home of College Station obituary
4080 State Hwy 6
College Station, TX 77845
979-985-2060
Tom Meinecke
January 28, 1947 ~ October 30, 2017 (age 70)
Tommy “Tom” Owen Meinecke passed away Monday October 30, 2017, in College Station, Texas. A celebration of life and reception is planned for Friday, November 3, 2017, 6:00pm at Hillier Funeral Home 4080 State Highway 6 S, College Station.
Tom was born in Los Angeles, California to Chester Frank and Charlotte Elaine (Parker) Meinecke. The majority of Tom’s life was lived in College Station, Texas where he graduated from A&M Consolidated in the class of 1965. He played basketball, baseball and
football and cherished his time with his classmates.
After graduating from A&M Consolidated, Tom went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree from Sam Houston State and his Masters of Kinesiology from Texas A&M University. He began teaching at Texas A&M, where he taught scuba, racquetball, bowling, skiing and other
sports in the Kinesiology Department. He was best known as a N.A.U.I. (National Association of Underwater Instructors) certified Scuba Instructor. He was co-owner of Paradise Scuba and Sea U Underwater. As an Instructor, he led countless underwater expeditions
and trips all over the world.
Outside of his professional career, his main love was his family. He met and fell in love with his wife, Sara, and married May 31, 2008. He was the proud father of T.J., Gentry and Molly and stepfather to Leah, Will and Courtney. He took great joy in being
Pappy to Cailyn, Asher, Miles and Corbin.
Tom became a devout Christian with deep faith. He was known for his loving and compassionate heart. He was a part of three bible studies a week and never missed any. Because of his charismatic personality he was able to lead people to Christ and help them to
grow in their faith. One of his famous quotes is “God is love”. He loved people and loved them well.
After retiring, he delivered for Meals on Wheels in Rural Areas. He loved to spend time with his kids and grandkids; he was very involved in their lives. As an avid outdoorsmen, he loved fishing, golf and playing 42 at the Chicken with his friends. A lifelong
sports fan, his love for the Aggies ran deep. He bled maroon.
Tom is survived by his beloved wife, Sara Bemus Connatser Meinecke, his son Thomas “TJ” Meinecke of Rogers, Arkansas, his daughter Sarah “Gentry”, a freshman at Mississippi State, his daughter Molly of Wilmington, Delaware, his stepdaughter Leah and husband,
Shaun Penny of College Station, his stepson William “Will” Connatser of Bryan, his stepdaughter Courtney Connatser of Austin, and his grandchildren Cailyn, Asher, Miles and Corbin, his sister and brother-in-law, Pam and Steve Jones of Fayetteville, Arkansas,
brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Donna Meinecke of Fayetteville, Arkansas, aunt, Marlene Moore of Huntington Beach, California, aunt, Margie Tarlton of Temecula, California and a host of family, friends and former students who remained in contact with Tom
throughout his life. He will be missed.
SERVICES
LIFE CELEBRATION
Friday
November 3, 2017
6:00 PM
Hillier Funeral Home - College Station
4080 State Hwy 6 South
College Station, TX 77845
RECEPTION
Friday
November 3, 2017
7:00 PM
Hillier Funeral Home - College Station
4080 State Hwy 6 South
College Station, TX 77845