Thomas "Tom" James Altus, 67, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010, in Arlington. Memorial Mass: 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 1200 S. Davis Drive, Arlington. Interment: 12:30 p.m. in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, Dallas. Rosary: 7 p.m. Wednesday at Wade Funeral Home Chapel, 4140 West Pioneer Parkway, Arlington. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the building fund at St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church, 2301 Acton Hwy., Granbury, Texas 76049. Tom was born on Feb. 27, 1943, in Leroy to Herbert and Wilma Wrbas Altus. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy and during his service to our country he earned the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Cuba), the Navy Expeditionary Medal (Cuba) and the National Defense Service Medal. Upon receiving an honorable discharge from the Navy, he worked at the General Motors Arlington Assembly Plant. During this time, he attended the University of Texas Arlington where he earned a bachelor of science in biology with a minor in chemistry. Later, he worked at Zepco Sales & Service with his brother, John. Since his retirement, he worked at Arlington Municipal Airport. An avid model train and aviation enthusiast, Tom held a private pilot license and was a longtime member of the AOPA, EAA and the Lone Star Flyer Club. He was a member of St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Arlington for 38 years before moving to Granbury where he lived for the last two years. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Robert Altus. Survivors: Wife of 47 years, Martha Altus; sons, Steven Altus and wife, Laura, Darrell Altus and wife, Eva-Lisa; daughter, Jennifer Morrison and husband, Keith; brother, John Altus and wife, Cindy; grandchildren, Emma Morrison, Sarah, Michael, Thomas and John Altus.
Published in Star-Telegram on November 28, 2010