- Lake Shore Funeral Home & Cremation Services | Waco Texas - https://www.lakeshorefuneralhome.com -

Thomas Stapleton

Posted By Lake Shore Funeral Home On November 25, 2012 @ 12:00 am In Obituaries | 28 Comments

828237 profile pic

Thomas Jeffrey Stapleton, 55, of China Spring, passed away Sunday, November 25th at a local hospital. Services will be 3PM on Wednesday, November 28th at Lake Shore Funeral home Chapel. Visitation will be 6 to 8PM on Tuesday, November 27th at Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend in Waco. A memorial service will be held in his hometown of Cornelia, GA. Date and time will be announced on www.LakeShoreFuneralhome.com.

Tommy Stapleton was born October 4, 1957 in Demorest, GA to James and Lorene(Stribling) Stapleton. Tommy was a Mechanical Engineering graduate from Southern Technological Institute, Atlanta, GA. Most recently, Tommy served as Senior Principal Program Engineer for L3 Communications. Over his extensive career, Tommy built a professional record of vast experience and knowledge in aircraft engineering; and was well respected throughout the industry he passionately served.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Laura Lorene (Stribling) Stapleton; his father, James Alford Stapleton; and his step-mother, Beulah Pitts (Cunningham) Stapleton.

Survivors include his daughter, Lauren Elizabeth Stapleton of Lewisport, KY; brother, James Stapleton, Jr. and wife Janis of Georgia; sister, Susie Underwood and husband Stan of Georgia; and a close family of nieces, nephews, and cousins throughout the country.

Special thanks to: Tommy’s L3 family, his scuba-diving partners, and the Providence Hospital staff for their support and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital.

Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online Guest Book at www.LakeShoreFuneralHome.com.

Print Obituary & Condolences Print Obituary & Condolences

Condolences for the family of “Thomas Stapleton”

Condolence from Bill Beard on February 28th, 2014 9:13 am

I had the distinct pleasure of working with Tommy while at L-3. He was a rock solid professional who could always develop a solution to even the toughest challenges…all the while keeping it real and fun. I feel truly blessed to have my life graced by his presence and friendship.

Condolence from Bryan Webster on February 28th, 2014 9:13 am

Rest in peace my friend.

Condolence from Candie Edwards Dean on February 28th, 2014 9:13 am

Family and friends of Tommy, what a terrible loss for all of you. I know that you loved and cared for Tommy as do we here in Habersham. It has been a long time since I have seen Tommy, but the words written about him are very true. Many prayers are being sent to our God in Tommy’s honor. I pray for your comfort and rest.
Candie Dean

Condolence from Curt Lewis on February 28th, 2014 9:13 am

Tommy,

My heart and the hearts of many are truly saddened at this moment. You will be truly missed my friend.

Curt Lewis

Condolence from David on February 28th, 2014 9:13 am

I worked with Tommy at McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis back in the 80’s. We worked on the F/A-18 and ran miles and miles together after work. I remember when Lauren was born. Tommy was one happy guy!! Its strange; I was thinking about the very few special people that pass through our lives. I haven’t seen Tommy in close to 20 years now. I google him and, this is what I find-Wow. Tommy was a great guy, a good friend and, to this day I’ll tell you he’s the best Engineer I’ve ever known!

Condolence from Denise Stone on February 28th, 2014 9:13 am

I am so very sad, and will miss you terribly. Thank you for the honor of sharing a small part of your journey. There are no words to describe much how you will be missed. Love you dearly.

Condolence from Diane on February 28th, 2014 9:13 am

Like I said in your birthday card, there is no replacement for Tommy Stapleton.
I already miss you my friend.

Condolence from Donna Allen Brown on February 28th, 2014 9:13 am

Tommy, I have so many happy memories. Thanks for all the grins and giggles 🙂

Condolence from Doug and Laura Young on February 28th, 2014 9:13 am

Tommy is diving in the clear blue oceans of heaven. He will be missed here on earth by anyone that met him. His memory will live on thru those that knew him and loved him. Tommy touched our lives and we will be forever grateful for the opportunity to call him friend.

Condolence from Faye romine..(Mama Faye) on February 28th, 2014 9:13 am

You made our lives pleasant when you were near. Thank you for making us smile.

Condolence from Gary Stogner on February 28th, 2014 9:13 am

Rest in Peace Tommy. You will be missed by all.

Condolence from Greg Lawson on February 28th, 2014 9:13 am

May you rest in peace brother. I have known you for as long as I remember. We grew up together in each other’s shadows and we are more alike than either of us know. I will miss you but I will see you again and we will laugh and talk of the people we love and the things we have done. What I wouldn’t give for 1 more ride in the impala!

Condolence from Jay on February 28th, 2014 9:13 am

Tommy, You impacted our lives more than you could ever know. Thank You for being my mentor but more importantly our friend.

The Cook Family
Jay, Val, Jason, James, Jessica, Raymond and Jackson

Condolence from Johnny Holub on February 28th, 2014 9:13 am

We have truly lost a good friend! We will always remember Tommy as the kind-hearted person he was. He was always there for anyone who needed him. May God bless you! Hope to meet up with you on the other side one day!
Johnny & Lesa Holub

Condolence from Karen Milam on February 28th, 2014 9:13 am

Tommy was my first love. I am so sad that I just learned of his passing. He will always hold a special place in my heart. I have so many fun and loving memories. I am so happy to read all the loving notes written for him. He grew into a wonderful successful man and father. For that I am so very grateful. I know my life would have never been the same had he not been a part of it. My heart goes out to Lauren in the lost of her precious father. I know that a little piece of me is now missing. I can not imagine the loss you feel. Good bye half pint. I will always love you.

Condolence from Kurt Batchelor on February 28th, 2014 9:14 am

Thank-you for Being a professional colleague and dive buddy. Our Lives ebb and flow and many times separate us from the wonderful people we meet along our life’s journey. Tommy, you were a wonderful person in my life. I will never forget you. Some day, may we reunite for one more dive in The Lord’s Heavenly Blue Open Water. Peace Always Be with you my friend.

Condolence from Mark Braun, PE on February 28th, 2014 9:14 am

Tommy has now taken his place in heaven. Knowing him as I do, I suspect he has engineered a solution to do some more diving through the clouds…

He was, and always will be, the salt of the earth, best friend, and wonderful person.

Rest in Peace my Friend.

Condolence from Marty and Cathy Mitchell on February 28th, 2014 9:14 am

We are certainly going to miss Tommy Stapleton. He was a thoughtful, considerate person who truly cared for others. Tommy’s heart was as big as the ocean that he loved so much and you always knew you were in good hands with Tommy along as a divemaster. It is perfect weather everyday now, the pool is open my friend. Goodby Tommy, God bless.

Condolence from Michael and Margaret Monahan on February 28th, 2014 9:14 am

Tommy, my heart is so saddened with your passing, and you will leave a huge void in our personal and professional lives. You touched so many people with your vast P-3 knowledge and we always left you a little bit smarter. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family at this sorrowful time. Good bye Tommy and God Bless

Condolence from Phillip and Vicki DeSpain on February 28th, 2014 9:14 am

So sorry to hear of your dad’s death. After watching his memorial it was easy to see that he was a special person. Love and prayers come with this message.

Condolence from Sharon Smirl on February 28th, 2014 9:14 am

Many sweet memories of you in our lives. You will be missed my friend. But never forgotten. Lauren, Your Dad absolutley adored you -never forget that.

Condolence from Steve Stapleton on February 28th, 2014 9:14 am

Soft spoken Gentleman and wonderful cousin.

Rest easy, Tommy.

Condolence from Steve Stapleton on February 28th, 2014 9:14 am

Soft spoken Gentleman and wonderful cousin.

Rest Easy, Tommy

Condolence from Tammie Barnhart on February 28th, 2014 9:14 am

Your smile always made my day when you said Good Morning. You will be greatly missed. Thank you for being a good friend.

Condolence from Terri Kephart on February 28th, 2014 9:14 am

I was saddened this morning when I arrived at work to find out you had left us. My heart was filled with sorrow knowing I had just seen you last week walking around the corner and now when I walk by your office, I won’t see your smiling face. We will all miss you so much. My thoughts and prayers go out to Tommy’s family. He was a very sweet and happy person to work with.

Condolence from Tom Calpouzos on February 28th, 2014 9:14 am

I haven’t seen him in over ten years, but I remember him well from our diving days in Lake Travis and trips to Cozumel. My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to Jan and his daughter, Lauren. I remember him as a great and strong man with a wonderful heart.

Condolence from Virginia Braun on February 28th, 2014 9:14 am

Tommy, You will always have a special place in my heart. You touched the lives of so many of us. We will miss you dearly. May you rest in peace.
Love always

Condolence from Steve Baughman on April 27th, 2015 5:53 pm

RIP brother. Tommy and I went thru the Mechanical Engineering school at Southern Tech and worked together at Lockheed back years ago. Had not kept in touch with him the last 20 years or so but he was a good friend.

Article printed from Lake Shore Funeral Home & Cremation Services | Waco Texas: https://www.lakeshorefuneralhome.com

URL to article: https://www.lakeshorefuneralhome.com/thomas-stapleton/

Copyright © 2015 Lake Shore Funeral Home & Cremation Services | Waco Texas. All rights reserved.