Rev. Thomas E. Tinker

Rev. Thomas E. Tinker departed this life on July 21, 2016 on his 96th birthday. He now rests in the arms of Jesus and has been reunited with his beloved Blossom, his wife of 70 years who preceded him on October 9, 2013. Tommy was born on July 21, 1920 in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. He graduated from Blytheville High School in 1938 and enlisted in the US Army in 1942. He and Blossom were married in November 1942. Tommy was a veteran of World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War, serving overseas in all three wars. He retired in 1971 with the rank of Command Sergeant Major after nearly 30 years of faithful and meritorious service to his country. He was awarded many individual and campaign medals to include the Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit. After his retirement from the Army, Blossom and Tommy traveled around the country with a trailer club for several years. In the early 1980’s, Tommy was ordained as a minister of the gospel. He served for more than 20 years as pastor of Sunshine RV Park in Harlingen, Texas. He and Blossom had many happy memories of their years there ministering to the “Winter Texans.”Tommy and Blossom attended Highland Baptist Church in Lubbock for many years. They lived in Lubbock for over 50 years in the same house and built a lifetime of memories there with each other, their family, and friends. Tommy is survived by his daughter Donna Castleberry; his son, Thomas E. Tinker, Jr.; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and other family members too numerous to count. He lived a blessed and happy life.