Location: J-Payne

Born: February 16, 1924 Missouri

Died: April 16, 2004 Waco, McLennan County, Texas

Son of Thomas J. Sr. and Opah Irene Long Lene

Thomas J. Lene Jr., 80, of Waco died Friday, April 16, 2004 in a local hospital.

Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 17 at China Spring Cemetery with the Rev. Kevin Moore officiating.

Mr. Lene graduated from high school and served in the Army.  He was a Purple Heart veteran.  He was a 32nd degree Mason, belonging to the J.H. Gurley Lodge 337, also a member of Karem Shrine.  The York Rite and the Scottish Rite.  Mr. Lene retired from the FAA in 1968, after 27 years of service and was a member of China Spring Baptist Church.

He is survivied by his loving and devoted wife, Gilda F. (Curry) Lene, daughters, Linda Lene Beatty and husband, Steve, and  Gilda Frances Lene Bush and Steve Whaley, all of China Spring, and Susan Irene Kroll and husband, Harold of Waco; son, Tom Lene III and wife, Donna of Bosqueville; nine grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and brothers, Willard Lene of San Cajeo, Calif., and O’Dell Lene of Phelsor, Ark.