LTC Thomas John Compton U.S. Army, (Ret.)

Thomas John Compton, born February 11, 1928 in Enid, Oklahoma, went to be with our Lord on February 19th, 2014 at age 86. He is reunited with his father Orville Turner Compton, mother Mary A. Spaid, brother Johnny Compton, and son-in-law Ron Merks.

Lt. Col. Compton graduated from Oklahoma State A&M (OSU), where he met his wife of 62 years at a fraternity brunch. He later attended Trinity University where he earned a Masters Degree in Urban Planning. Lt. Col. Compton made a career of serving our country in the U.S. Army. A veteran of three eras, he served in World War II, Korea, and two tours of duty in Vietnam. He was proud of his services in the Army from Artillery, to Counter Intelligence Corps, to Quartermaster Corps, but doubtless his proudest moments were with the 82nd Airborne Division or any of his airborne assignments. Retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel and as Post Commander of Camp Zama in Japan, Lt. Col. Compton earned many of the highest military awards for gallantry, bravery, and meritorious service for our nation with distinction.

Lt. Col. Compton's greatest love was simply being with family and the many friends he made around the world. He travelled with his wife and family to duty stations in Berlin, Germany, the Canal Zone in Panama, Camp Zama, Japan, and extensively throughout the world after retirement. Fascinated by history, Lt. Col. Compton and his wife visited many Roman outposts from northern Africa to Great Britain, as well as Asia. Playing tennis, sailing, skin diving, and bird watching were all joys he imparted on his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Lt. Col. Compton is survived by his loving wife Jo Ann, son Kevin and wife Saguara, daughter Allison Merks, son Brian and wife Cynthia, son Sean and wife Eileen, and daughter Nancy and husband Steve Willaford, ten grandchildren, five great grandchildren, his brother Bill and wife Joan, and his cat, Molly.

A Memorial Mass will be held at the Army Residence Community's Betty Cheever Chapel at 1:00 pm with a reception to follow on Tuesday, February 25th. A Holy Rosary will take place at 11:45 am at St. Pius X Catholic Church (Harry Wurzbach Rd.), followed by a Mass at 12:00 pm on Thursday, February 27th. Interment will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 1:15 pm. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice or to Grace Place Alzheimer's Activity Center, a program of Christian Senior Services.