Elmer Thomas (Tom) Batista was born on June 16, 1928 in Cleveland, Ohio. He went to be with the Lord on September 1, 2012 in his home at Emeritus Spring Creek Gardens, Plano, Texas. Tom enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 18 and served his country in World War II. Tom then attended Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio where he met his wife, Gretchen Klages Batista. He was the owner of Libra Industries, Inc. of Jackson, MI and later owned I-96 Speedway, an auto racing track in Ionia, MI. Tom was an avid sportsman; besides his passion for auto racing, he played golf, bowled and actively followed college and professional team sports such as baseball and football. Tom was an active member of Alter Church of Frisco, Texas. Prior to moving to Texas he was a long-time member of First United Methodist Church of Dunnellon, FL. Tom is preceded in death by his wife, Gretchen Klages Batista, as well as his parents, James Thomas Batista and Alma Sacha Batista Weiss. Tom is greatly missed by his daughter, Nancy Meade and husband Jeff; and his son, Thomas Richard Batista and wife Pat. Tom also leaves behind four much-loved grandchildren: Thomas Dale Batista and wife Stephanie and James Davis Batista and wife Carrie; Elizabeth and David Meade; and three great-grandchildren: Kennedy, Thomas Tanner, and Peyton Batista. There will be a memorial service to celebrate Tom’s life at Alter Church of Frisco, Texas, 9195 Preston Road, at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, September 5, 2012. He will then be interred next to his wife at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan.
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