Thomas Haynes Mann, Sr. was born on August 7, 1932 in Bristol, Virginia to Willis and Mattie (Townsend) Mann. Following his childhood in Bristol, he moved to California to work for Lockheed Corporation. In 1952, during the Korean War, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. Following his service in Korea, he was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska. He was then assigned to Killeen Base, Texas where he met and later married Gloria Henrietta Cosper at Killeen Base Chapel. Soon after their wedding, he was assigned to Stuttgart, Germany, and while in Germany, their first child, Brenda Lynn Mann was born. After Germany, he returned stateside to Fort Bliss, Texas and then another tour in Korea. Before he was assigned to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, their second child, Thomas Haynes Mann, Jr. was born. He was then assigned to Kitzingen, Germany; a combat tour in Vietnam; and finally Fort Hood, Texas where he retired from active duty at the rank of Sergeant First Class in 1972. Awards and Decorations he earned during active duty military service include: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal with 5 Knots, National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm.
After retirement from his active duty military career, Tom began a second career at Fort Hood, Texas and in 1995, after 20 years, retired from the U.S. Government Civilian Service as a quality assurance inspector.
Tom was a loving husband, father, father-in-law, and grandfather. He also loved and had a significant impact on many other people including nephews, nieces, and many other extended family members and friends. Beyond family and friends, he brought great joy to thousands of children through his volunteer service in Killeen during the Christmas holidays for more than 20 years (Ho, Ho, Ho!!!). Tom was an avid hunter (and loved cooking for his hunting buddies), golfer, extremely loyal Dallas Cowboys fan, and NASCAR fan and in past years was very active in Masonic Lodge functions. He loved his family dearly and had a special bond with each and every one of them, always providing a strong moral compass and leading by example. Among other travels, for many years, cruise vacationing with family and friends was a special pleasure. He especially enjoyed treating his family to cruises; the most special trip being a fairytale week when they were joined by more than thirty friends and other family members to celebrate his and Gloria’s fiftieth wedding anniversary in December, 2009. The ship’s captain renewed their wedding vows, followed by the Lutheran service performed by Tom and Gloria’s Pastor Ray Zischang.
Mr. Mann was baptized and was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, which was founded by his wife’s great-great grandfather, the Rev. H.F. Daude, in 1889. He was a dedicated volunteer, generously supporting his children in their school activities and his local community; always willing to help a friend. He was a charter member of the Celebrate Killeen Committee and remained active until his death. He was also a member of Killeen Masonic Lodge #1125, AF & AM., a 32d degree Scottish Rite member, Valley of Waco, Orient of Texas, Order of Eastern Star, life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, as well as an affiliated organization, The Military Order of the Cootie of the U.S.
Mr. Mann went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 7, 2011. He passed peacefully with his wife of 51 years and both children by his side. He was preceded in death by his father, Willis Mann, his mother, Mattie (Townsend) Mann, and brother Donald Mann, all of Bristol, VA. Survivors include his wife, Gloria Henrietta (Cosper) Mann of Killeen, TX; daughter, Brenda Lynn (Mann) Coleman and husband John of Weatherford, TX; son, Thomas Haynes Mann, Jr. and wife Marian Patricia (Cummings) Mann of Southlake, TX; grandson, David Haynes Coleman of Weatherford, TX; grand-daughter, Faith Arley Coleman of Weatherford, TX; grandson, Thomas Haynes Mann, III of Southlake, TX; and grand-daughter, Erin Marie Mann of Southlake, TX, brothers Harry Martin Mann of Bristol, VA, Eddie Eugene Mann and wife Carolyn of Bristol, TN and Landon Willis Mann and wife Carol, also of Bristol, VA, a host of nieces, nephews and beloved friends. The family will receive visitors on Monday, January 10, 2011, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Crawford-Bowers funeral Home in Killeen. Funeral services will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Killeen, Texas, on Tuesday, January 11, 2011, at 2:00 p.m., followed by burial with full military and Masonic honors at Live Oak Cemetery, Youngsport, TX.
The family would like to especially thank each of the caring and compassionate health care providers, pastoral care team and other staff members of Metroplex Adventist Hospital, whose lives and care embraced not only Mr. Mann but his entire family during the final weeks of his earthly life. Additional heartfelt thanks to his extended family and many friends who so faithfully lifted Mr. Mann and his family in continual prayer. Special thanks also to Pastor Ray, Vicar Mike and Mr. Mann’s church family at Immanuel Lutheran Church, the staff of Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home, and the staff of Scott and White Memorial Hospital, who assisted Mr. Mann in his courageous battle with cancer.
Serving as pallbearers are: Billy Ray Carroll of Temple, TX; Mark Lethco, Craig Langford, Wayne Cosper Jr, and Scott Cosper, all of Killeen, TX; David Coleman of Weatherford, TX; Christopher Doose IV of Austin, TX; and Craig Alan Langford II of Killeen, TX.
The family requests that memorials be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church building fund, 1104 N. 4th St., Killeen, TX 76541.
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