Tom Henry "Tommie" was the fourth child born to Bob & Ima Jennings Johnson. Tommie's name was Tom, not Thomas. He is my father. He was born on the Shivers Place in the Wesley Chapel Community at 7am in the morning, Dr EB Stokes delivered him. When he was 6 weeks old, Bob & Ima bought the 90 acres in Wesley Chapel that became a permanent home, and where all the younger brothers and sisters were born. Tommie lived his entire life in Wesley Chapel,except for the time he served his Country during WWII and the short time in 1957 when he worked in the oilfield in West Texas, along with his brother in law, Luther Gossett.
Tommie received an Honorable Discharge from the Army of the United States, PFC 1058th Military Police Company, date of enlistment 17 November 1941, place of entry Rctg Sta Ft Sam Houston, Texas. At the time of enlistment his address was Rt 3, Box 209, Crockett, Texas, color of eyes brown, height 5"9", weight 149lbs, occupation farmer. Military occupational speciality and no: Guard Patrolman 522, Marksman Rifle 26 August 1943.
Decorations and citations: American Defense Service Metal; American Theater Campaign Metal; FAME Campaign Metal; Good Conduct Metal and World War II Victory Metal.
He was discharged on 15 Dec 1945, reason Convenience of the Government. Mustering out pay $300, a $100 payment was made on date of discharge along with $16.50 travel pay.
While serving in WWII he met and married Dylis Lloyd in Widnes, England. They had one daughter, Anita, who died when she was 5 months old and Tommie never got to hold her. She was born after he deployed from England.
In 1947, Dylis joined Tommie in Wesley Chapel, where he built a small four room house, they had 4 more children, Carol Anne, Bobbie, Sherry Kay and Tommy Lloyd. In 1967, they built a new home, and both lived their until they passed away.
Tommie farmed along with his father, Bob, until times got too hard, then he moved to Stanton, Texas where he rough necked, as he called it. When he returned to Wesley Chapel, he went to work for the Texas Highway Department until he retired. He and Dylis or Dell as she was called, since Miss Ima could not say Dylis, were married 54 years when Dell passed away in 1999.
Tommie loved his family, and his home, and especially enjoyed feeding his cows, taking the grandkids with him, in his old black truck. He was a lot like his Uncle Wade Jennings, he loved his family, and was taking care of them up until the very end.
Tommie was a member of The Church of God in Crockett from early childhood. Before the Church was built, they had services on his mothers porch.
His best friends from childhood were Edward Rosson, killed in action during WWII, JD Sims, and Charlie Hargrove. They loved to rabbit and squirrel hunt and get into mischief.
His grandparents were Newt & Clara Jennings and William Allen & Henrietta Story Johnson. He was a great grandson of Sarah Frances Bowen Jennings and William Morgan Jennings.
Papa, as he was called by his grandchildren, loved them dearly and spent many an hour with them, and they certainly got away with more than his children did. His grandchildren: Jeffrey, Kristi, Trey, Dylis Anne, Shane, Maggie, Chase, and Megan. Great-grandchildren: Michael, John Tyler, Hannah, Dru, Kylie, Jax, Jett & Judd, Jayce, Ryliee and River Jennings, Braylee Grace, Aubree Michelle, Tyler Rhett, Aubree Michelle and twins Ellis & Aria.