Thomas Nelson Inglis III

Tom was born in Bryan, Texas where his father was finishing his degree at Texas A&M University. Tom graduated from high school in Phoenix, Arizona and was awarded an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1968 and then began Naval Aviation training in Pensacola, Florida. During his training he was hospitalized with a brief illness and, as luck would have it, was taken care of by a young Navy nurse named Kathy North. They were married in 1970 and have two children.

After completing flight training and receiving his wings, Tom and Kathy were stationed at NAS Lemoore, California. He transitioned to the A-7 attack aircraft and served two tours of duty with VA–153 on the carrier, USS Oriskany, flying combat missions in Vietnam. Tom was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal (3), Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Air Medal (18 Strike/Flight), Individual Air Medal, and the Distinguished Flying Cross (Navy). After serving five and a half years in the Navy, reaching the rank of Lieutenant, Tom elected to leave the Navy in order to spend more time with his family.

Tom’s next career was as a manufacturing executive for Fortune 500 manufacturing companies. The family lived in several states before settling in Plano, Texas in 1985.

In his spare time, Tom enjoyed working on his computer and listening to the music of his favorite artist, Andrea Bocelli. In Plano, Tom became an avid Cowboys fan and enjoyed having season tickets during the Cowboys' Super Bowl years in the early 1990’s. Tom valued his family and his friendships from his military days. His most treasured recent memory was his 2018 Navy squadron reunion in Pensacola followed by his 50th Naval Academy class reunion. He enjoyed reconnecting with old friends. Tom was known for his dry sense of humor and was characterized in his later years as possessing a strong work ethic and could never see himself retiring.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Nelson Inglis II and Polly Grainger Inglis. He is survived by his wife, Kathyleen (Kathy) Inglis; his son, Thomas Nelson Inglis IV; daughter-in-law, Wendi Inglis; granddaughter, Brynley Inglis; grandson, Cayden Madden; daughter, Elisa Deal; granddaughter, Lindsey Deal; grandson, Brendan Deal; sister, Cindy Phillips; brother-in-law, John Phillips; nephew, Matt Phillips (Melissa); niece, Mandy Wick (Francis); and various grand nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom’s name to the American Stroke Association or the Wounded Warrior Project.

Tom will have an inurnment service with Navy Honors at the DFW National Cemetery on Friday, April 15 2022 at 1:15pm.