Thomas R. Meier

Tom joined the Navy in May 1970. He was first stationed in Tacoma, Washington on the ship called USS Uhlman. Then he was transferred to Treasure Island off the coast of San Francisco. In June 1971 Tom flew from Treasure Island, California to Guam, which was 15 total hours flying time. He stopped in Hawaii on the way to Guam and on his return home. Tom was one of the four out of a class of 16 to graduate from the first official Navy Class Divers’ course held by USS Henley on Guam. The class consisted of eight weeks of intensified underwater training and classwork. If you’ve ever seen the movie “Men of Honor,” then you will know what kind of training he went through.

After returning home from Guam, Tom went to work for the Post Office and worked there for 41 years.

Tom met JoAnn on St. Patrick’s Day in 1981 at Duffy’s in South Omaha. This meeting was setup by Dorothy and Jerry Conlin. (Tom and Jerry worked together and Dorothy and JoAnn worked together). Tom and JoAnn were then married on November 4, 1983.

Tom loved fishing and loved going to Minnesota to fish with family. He was also a very good golfer. He golfed on his high school golf team and played in many tournaments after high school with friends and with his sons Dan and Chris.

He is survived by his wife JoAnn, sons Dan Meier (Ashley Bear) and Chris Meier (Danielle). Grandsons Jax and Rhett Meier. Step grandchildren Grace and Jack Mettler. Brother John Meier (Shirley) and sister Mary Piatt (John). Sister-in-Law Elaine Olin (Bob), Brother-in-Laws Larry Buysse (Bonnie), Steve Buysse and Doug Buysse. Many nieces and nephews and friends.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Helen Meier, Father-in-Law and Mother-in-Law Gustaff and Florence Buysse, Brother-in Laws Jim and Charlie Buysse, Sister-in-Laws Diane (Buysse) Seidl and Cheri Buysse.