Tommy Jacob Meinecke, 85, passed away on December 15, 2024, in Denton, Texas.

Tommy was born on July 5, 1939, in La Grange, Texas to Victor & Juanita Charles Meinecke. Tommy graduated from Sam Houston High School in San Antonio, San Antonio College with an AA Degree, The University of Texas at Austin with a BBA, & the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at SMU with a Graduate Degree in banking. He was captain of the track team in high school & lettered in track as a half-miler & mile relay athlete in both high school & college. He was also a citywide basketball All Star in the San Antonio Recreation League his senior year in high school. He joined the Texas Air National Guard at the age of 17, being honorably discharged after six years & being offered the rank of 2nd Lieutenant upon reenlistment.

Tommy moved to Houston in 1962, after graduation from the University of Texas with honors. He worked his way through college, being recruited by Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, & chosen "Most Representative New Executive Trainee", featured in the AT&T magazine. After his first year, he was promoted to Manager of 14 telephone exchanges in Newport, Arkansas. In his distinguished career, he served in executive positions in the telecommunications, oil & gas & banking industries. Tom had been Personnel Director for Adams Resources, & Senior Vice President & Human Resources Director for InterFirst Bank & Pacific Southwest Bank, both national billion-dollar banks in Houston. He later opened & became President & CEO for Texas Commerce Bank - Champions Park, the President & CEO at Century National Bank, & later Managing Agent for the Resolution Trust Corp.

Tom later distinguished himself as a financial advisor for Aetna, Lincoln & MetLife & received many awards & trips for his accomplishments. In 2008, he published his first book "The Last 880-Yard Runner", a memoir, in 2010, "Arms of God", a historical fiction & in 2013, "Destiny at Calf Killer River". All made recommended reading lists & book-signings.

He was certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). He was past president (1974) & lifetime honorary member of the Houston Personnel Association (HR Houston). He was designated a "Distinguished Toastmaster - Lifetime Certification".

Tom, a fifth generation Texan, was commissioned as Colonel in the Texas Army by the then Governor, George W. Bush in 1998, & Admiral in the Texas Navy by Governor Rick Perry in 2011. He was a member of The Sons of the American Revolution, & The Sons of the Republic of Texas - San Jacinto Chapter #1. Tom was a Master Mason & an Endowed member of the Holland Lodge, Temple #1, designated a 32nd Degree Scottish, Rite Mason, & a Noble of the Mystic Shrine of the Arabia Shrine Temple of Houston.

After moving to Sugar Land in 1998, he became active in political & civic activities. He was a Republican Precinct Chairman & President of Villas of Sweetwater Homeowners Association for several years. He was also President of the Alexander Hodge Chapter #49 of The Texas Society of The Sons of the American Revolution. He & his wife moved to Robson Ranch in Denton, Texas in 2017.

He was a past Deacon of the Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church & most recently, a member of Justin Methodist Church in Justin, Texas.

Tom is survived by his loving wife, Sandy; his daughter, Angela Meinecke Kershner & her husband, John; his son, Chris Meinecke & his wife, Kristi; his grandson, Brooks Meinecke; his grandson, Grant Dovidas; his granddaughter, Sydney Dovidas; his stepdaughter, Danica Jorgensen; extended family & a host of friends.

Service arrangements are pending at this time.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in his memory to the Shriners Children's Hospitals: Shriners Children's Hospitals