Thomas David Hance was born on April 9th, 1954 in Baytown, Texas to Coy and Morna (Billie) Hance. He was the youngest of their three sons. Tom grew up with his brothers Brad and Terry, who were all very close. The three brothers played and did everything together, even though Brad and Terry always kidded Tom that he was adopted. But Brad and Terry were both very proud of Tom when he enlisted in the Marines.
He joined the United States Marine Corps after graduating from Deer Park High School in 1972. After completing recruit training in San Diego, California, he was sent to school to become a diesel mechanic. Tom visited many countries in the service, including Japan, the Philippines, and Vietnam. He fought in the Vietnam Conflict, and served during The Cold War. During his time in the Marine Corps, Tom achieved the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense, Overseas Service, and Combat Service Medals. He achieved 4th award rifle expert and pistol sharpshooter. He was honorably discharged in 1976, achieving the rank of Sergeant. Tom took great pride in his military service and would later share stories with his son Michael when he followed in his footsteps.
Tom would meet the love of his life one Saturday while working at HI-LO. Ruth who also worked at HI-LO saw Tom walk by and immediately knew he was “The One”, it was love at first sight for them both. Tom and Ruth went to Gabby’s Barbecue for their first date, and soon they realized it truly was love that brought them together. There isn’t a more perfect word to describe Tom and Ruth other than true soul mates. They were truly a team, and took on every decision and event together as a team. Tom and Ruth both loved woodworking. Tom not only made his own workbench, but also built Ruth her own custom workbench. On the weekends you could find Tom and Ruth in the garage, making children's picnic tables or cutting out designs for Christmas decorations for the front yard. Home Depot and Lowe's were some of Tom's favorite stores, and Ruth knew she couldn't go wrong by getting him a new power tool or kitchen gadget as a present. Tom and Ruth took their first vacation alone as a couple without children to Lake Tahoe in 2011. There they spent 7 days enjoying not only the scenery, but time alone together. Tom even surprised Ruth by asking if she wanted to go down to the horse stables and riding his first horse with her. He knew how much Ruth loved horses, and wanted to make the vacation really special for her.
On February 15, 1983 their first child Michael was born. Michael and Tom enjoyed playing He-Man and Thunder Cats together along with teaching Michael to ride his first bike and later, his first dirt bike. Tom was an amazing father to Michael and taught him how to become a man and father. Michael would later follow in his footsteps and also earn the title of United States Marine.
Ten years and half a month later on March 2nd of 1993, Tom and Ruth welcomed their second and last child into this world. A baby girl they named Staci. From day one, Tom and Staci shared a bond only a father and daughter could. Staci was truly his baby girl. They loved every minute spent together, be it collecting rocks on the beach while camping, or sitting in the nosebleed section at an Astros game sharing a cup of French fries. Staci would later follow in both her father and brother’s footsteps by becoming a United States Marine.
When Tom’s son Michael got married in 2011, Tom welcomed Michael’s wife Cara and daughter Calli into his life with open arms. He stepped up into the role of grandfather without skipping a beat. In 2013 Tom and Ruth surprised Calli with a trip to Disney World. Tom had been to Disney World three times before with Ruth, Michael, and Staci, but this trip was special. Calli was Tom’s first granddaughter, and he absolutely adored her. Tom loved seeing his family grow, and having more people to love.
Tom enjoyed putting in a full days work. He worked with his brother Brad, and nephew Greg at MECO, Inc. In his free time, Tom loved camping, and taking time to relax in the woods surrounded by his family. He was the master of perfecting the perfect campfire, and you could usually find him relaxing in a hammock or kicked back in a chair enjoying a good book. Tom and Ruth loved to take their German Shepherds on walks, and you could always find a camera in Tom's hands taking pictures of the dogs playing, the scenery, or the beautiful sunsets in the woods. Tom loved taking pictures, and you could often find him behind a camera, recording what would be some of the best memories that the Hance family has. Tom also loved reading, and passed on his passion to his daughter Staci. They used to make library trips together, and then later in life when technology had advanced, would share their favorite reads on their kindles. He loved military fiction. The kitchen was Tom's domain. He truly enjoyed providing a meal for his loved ones, and he always provided very tasty ones! His signature dish was his famous chicken fingers. And even though his family never let him forget the time he thought a "pinch" of garlic meant the entire container, and made toxic potatoes, his family still appreciated every meal he made for them, and always looked forward to the weekend breakfasts he made rain or shine, no matter how he felt. Tom loved baseball games, be it watching them on television, or going to the game itself. He was present for the very first and very last game at the Astrodome. Tom loved collecting baseballs, and his closets are full of Astros memorabilia. Tom loved many things in life, but he truly loved his family the most. He held the title of husband and father in the highest regards. There is absolutely nothing he wouldn't’t do for his family, and he always made sure his loved ones knew how much how he cared about them.
Tom is preceded in death by his father, Coy Othello and brother, Terry Gene. Tom is survived by his wife, Ruth; son, Michael and his wife Cara of Deer Park, TX; daughter, Staci, who is Active duty in the Marine Corps in North Carolina; mother, Billie Hance; great uncle, Thomas Dawkins; brother, Brad and wife Evelyn Hance of Pasadena, TX; granddaughter, Calli and numerous nieces and nephews.
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Thomas D. Hance, 60, passed away on 18, April, 2014, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on April, 9, 1954, in Baytown, Texas to Coy and Morna (Billie) Hance. Tom grew up in Deer Park, Texas and graduated High School in 1972. After high school he joined the United States Marine Corps and served for 4 years. He served in Vietnam and during The Cold War and was the recipient of The Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense, Overseas Service, and Combat Service Medals. He achieved 4th award rifle expert and pistol sharpshooter. He was honorably discharged in 1976, achieving the rank of Sergeant. Tom married Ruth in 1983 in Crosby, Texas. They were happily married for 31 years. He was a member of The American Legion. He enjoyed golfing, camping, woodworking, and spending time with family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Coy Othello and brother, Terry Gene. Tom is survived by his wife, Ruth; son, Michael and wife Cara of Deer Park, TX; daughter, Staci, who is Active duty in the Marine Corps in North Carolina; mother, Billie Hance; great uncle, Thomas Dawkins; brother, Brad and wife Evelyn Hance of Pasadena, TX; granddaughter, Calli; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 23, 2014, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Grand View Funeral Home. Services will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2014, at 12:30 p.m. in The Chapel of Grand View Funeral Home. Interment will follow with Military Honors at Grand View Memorial Park. The family request to wear any Hawaiian print clothing to the services. Online memorial tributes may be placed at www.grandviewfunerals.com
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Thomas David Hance was born on April 9th, 1954 in Baytown, Texas to Coy and Morna (Billie) Hance. He was the youngest of their three sons. Tom grew up with his brothers Brad and Terry, who were all very close. The three brothers played and did everything together, even though Brad and Terry always kidded Tom that he was adopted. But Brad and Terry were both very proud of Tom when he enlisted in the Marines.
He joined the United States Marine Corps after graduating from Deer Park High School in 1972. After completing recruit training in San Diego, California, he was sent to school to become a diesel mechanic. Tom visited many countries in the service, including Japan, the Philippines, and Vietnam. He fought in the Vietnam Conflict, and served during The Cold War. During his time in the Marine Corps, Tom achieved the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense, Overseas Service, and Combat Service Medals. He achieved 4th award rifle expert and pistol sharpshooter. He was honorably discharged in 1976, achieving the rank of Sergeant. Tom took great pride in his military service and would later share stories with his son Michael when he followed in his footsteps.
Tom would meet the love of his life one Saturday while working at HI-LO. Ruth who also worked at HI-LO saw Tom walk by and immediately knew he was “The One”, it was love at first sight for them both. Tom and Ruth went to Gabby’s Barbecue for their first date, and soon they realized it truly was love that brought them together. There isn’t a more perfect word to describe Tom and Ruth other than true soul mates. They were truly a team, and took on every decision and event together as a team. Tom and Ruth both loved woodworking. Tom not only made his own workbench, but also built Ruth her own custom workbench. On the weekends you could find Tom and Ruth in the garage, making children's picnic tables or cutting out designs for Christmas decorations for the front yard. Home Depot and Lowe's were some of Tom's favorite stores, and Ruth knew she couldn't go wrong by getting him a new power tool or kitchen gadget as a present. Tom and Ruth took their first vacation alone as a couple without children to Lake Tahoe in 2011. There they spent 7 days enjoying not only the scenery, but time alone together. Tom even surprised Ruth by asking if she wanted to go down to the horse stables and riding his first horse with her. He knew how much Ruth loved horses, and wanted to make the vacation really special for her.
On February 15, 1983 their first child Michael was born. Michael and Tom enjoyed playing He-Man and Thunder Cats together along with teaching Michael to ride his first bike and later, his first dirt bike. Tom was an amazing father to Michael and taught him how to become a man and father. Michael would later follow in his footsteps and also earn the title of United States Marine.
Ten years and half a month later on March 2nd of 1993, Tom and Ruth welcomed their second and last child into this world. A baby girl they named Staci. From day one, Tom and Staci shared a bond only a father and daughter could. Staci was truly his baby girl. They loved every minute spent together, be it collecting rocks on the beach while camping, or sitting in the nosebleed section at an Astros game sharing a cup of French fries. Staci would later follow in both her father and brother’s footsteps by becoming a United States Marine.
When Tom’s son Michael got married in 2011, Tom welcomed Michael’s wife Cara and daughter Calli into his life with open arms. He stepped up into the role of grandfather without skipping a beat. In 2013 Tom and Ruth surprised Calli with a trip to Disney World. Tom had been to Disney World three times before with Ruth, Michael, and Staci, but this trip was special. Calli was Tom’s first granddaughter, and he absolutely adored her. Tom loved seeing his family grow, and having more people to love.
In his free time, Tom loved camping, and taking time to relax in the woods surrounded by his family. He was the master of perfecting the perfect campfire, and you could usually find him relaxing in a hammock or kicked back in a chair enjoying a good book. Tom and Ruth loved to take their German Shepherds on walks, and you could always find a camera in Tom's hands taking pictures of the dogs playing, the scenery, or the beautiful sunsets in the woods. Tom loved taking pictures, and you could often find him behind a camera, recording what would be some of the best memories that the Hance family has. Tom also loved reading, and passed on his passion to his daughter Staci. They used to make library trips together, and then later in life when technology had advanced, would share their favorite reads on their kindles. He loved military fiction. The kitchen was Tom's domain. He truly enjoyed providing a meal for his loved ones, and he always provided very tasty ones! His signature dish was his famous chicken fingers. And even though his family never let him forget the time he thought a "pinch" of garlic meant the entire container, and made toxic potatoes, his family still appreciated every meal he made for them, and always looked forward to the weekend breakfasts he made rain or shine, no matter how he felt. Tom loved baseball games, be it watching them on television, or going to the game itself. He was present for the very first and very last game at the Astrodome. Tom loved collecting baseballs, and his closets are full of Astros memorabilia. Tom loved many things in life, but he truly loved his family the most. He held the title of husband and father in the highest regards. There is absolutely nothing he wouldn't’t do for his family, and he always made sure his loved ones knew how much how he cared about them.
Tom is preceded in death by his father, Coy Othello and brother, Terry Gene. Tom is survived by his wife, Ruth; son, Michael and his wife Cara of Deer Park, TX; daughter, Staci, who is Active duty in the Marine Corps in North Carolina; mother, Morna Hance; great uncle, Thomas Dawkins; brother, Brad and wife Evelyn Hance of Pasadena, TX; granddaughter, Calli and numerous nieces and nephews.
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