Col. Thomas F. Walsh (retired U.S. Army))

RETIRED U.S. ARMY

of Dallas, passed away at home on March 15, 2011 after a lengthy brave battle with congestive heart failure.

Visitation at 6:00 p.m. followed by the Rosary is 7:00 p.m. Sunday, March 20, 2011

in the Chapel of Sparkman/Crane Funeral Home.

The Funeral Mass is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 21, 2011

at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church, 1404 Old Gate Lane, Dallas, Texas 75218.

Military Honors and interment, Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) National Cemetery,

2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas at 2:15 p.m.

Tom was born on December 4, 1920, in Aughamore, County Mayo, Ireland to Martin and Catherine Walsh the third of five children; Mary, Joe, Tom, Rita, and Kitty. His family later moved to Frenchpark, County Roscommon. During the depression, they immigrated to the U.S. through Ellis Island. He was raised in Philadelphia where he was drafted into the military in 1943. He was commisioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1944, and then continued to serve his country for 27 years. He was a veteran of World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War. He returned from Vietnam in 1970, and retired as a full colonel.In 1942 he married Jean Hoefling, and in In 1944 they had a son named Thomas Henry. Jean passed away in 1952. In 1956, Tom was stationed at Pantex near Amarillo, TX, where he met and married Lula Maye Cummings. They had a wonderful life in the military living in Maryland, Karlsruhe, Germany, Chicago, Istanbul, Turkey, Fort Dix, New Jersey, and traveling extensively everywhere they went. After Tom retired from the military in 1970, they moved to Dallas where he worked in Building Maintenance Management until 1987. They returned to Ireland many times as supporters of the Texas Rose of Tralee. Tom and Lula were members of St. Bernard's Catholic Church since 1971. He contributed to St. Bernard's, TROA, and the Greater Retired Officer's Association .He and his wife were extremely active for many years in the Irish American Society of Dallas, and the Texas Rose of Tralee group. They were co-presidents of the IAS in 1994-1995. In 1997, Tom was named Irish Person of the Year, and ended up in a horse drawn carriage with his lovely Lula Maye. They were proudly waving to the St. Patrick's Parade crowds gathered downtown, and were grandly immortalized by a great Dallas Morning News photographer who hopped into their carriage to snap a stunning photo! It ended up in full color on the front page of the newspaper! He was an athletic, outspoken, strong minded leader. . He took vitamins before most people knew about supplements, and was a testament to healthy living for many years. He will long be remembered for his sharp quick wit, his propensity to spar, and his love of God, family, and country. He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Lula Maye. He is also survived by five children, Tommy, Mellanie Brimingham, Michael ( with his respective partner Mary Beth and daughter Laurel), Tina, and Kathleen Stoll with her husband Don. In addition there are four surviving grandchildren, Layla Lowe and husband Chris, Austin Pooley, Brendan and Elena Stoll, and three great-grand-children, Logan, Caleb, and Topher. We are quite certain he is in heaven now grateful for his family, and the angels Joyce and Wimberly who lovingly helped with his care the last three years of his life. We know he is looking down at his bride Lula, Irish eyes twinkling, whistling “PS I Love You”!

Sparkman/Crane Funeral Home

10501 Garland ?Road

Dallas, Texas 75218

214-327-8291