Thomas M. LaCourse ’55 died on February 20, 2022, in Bedford, Texas
Thomas M. LaCourse ’55
(The following was provided by the Neptune Society on February 20, 2022)
North Richland Hills, Texas- Thomas LaCourse passed away on February 20, 2022, in Bedford, TX.
Tom was born in Rumford, Maine and spent most of his younger life growing up in Brunswick, ME. He attended Brunswick High School, where he was a star on the swimming team. Upon graduation, he attended Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Class of 1955.
Tom joined the US Air Force in 1953 and enjoyed an outstanding and decorated 27-year career that included assignments in Korea, Turkey, Poland, and Germany. The highlight of his career was being stationed at the American Embassy in Warsaw, Poland, from 1970-72, achieving the rank of chief master sergeant and receiving numerous medals and commendations for his work during the Cold War between the US and the USSR.
Tom met the love of his life while stationed in Sweetwater, TX, in 1956 and was married to Una “Bonnie” Shafer on August, 10, 1957. Together, they shared a long and loving marriage of sixty-two years and were blessed with three children. With Tom’s military career, the family was fortunate to have lived in Germany and Poland for a total of eight years, and they were able to travel throughout Europe, creating life-long memories and forming life-long friendships.
After his military career, Tom and Bonnie, settled in the Dallas/Fort Worth area beginning in 1979, living in North Richland Hills and Granbury, TX, and adding many additional very close friends in the years that followed. They enjoyed square dancing, playing cards, traveling, RV-ing, scuba diving, skiing, and camping with their large group of senior citizens. Month long RV camping trips to South Padre Island and Canada were special times. The grandchildren, however, were Tom and Bonnie’s pride and joy, spending countless hours and days attending baseball games, sporting events, piano recitals, dance recitals, choir performances, and theater performances.
Tom is proceeded in death by his wife, Bonnie, and his parents, Mitchell and Rena LaCourse, his older sister, Jean Lee, and younger brother, John LaCourse.
Tom is survived by his daughter, Christy Mahanay (Don) of Lakeside/Azle, TX, his son, Mark LaCourse (Cindy) of Colleyville, TX, and his daughter, Lisa LaCourse of North Richland Hills. Tom and Bonnie were also survived by three grandchildren, Meghan Mahanay, Michael LaCourse and Taylor LaCourse and three great-grandchildren.
Tom wasn’t one to offer his opinions or share much about himself or his career, however when asked, he usually had great stories to tell and always left you with something memorable. The man could fix anything and could dismantle a Maine lobster in record time. He had quite a memory and you needed him for your Trivial Pursuit partner. He was a great man and a better husband and father. Most of all, he had a special comforting way about him that made him easy to like and love. Everyone did. He will be missed by many throughout the country and around the world.