Thomas "Grandpa Tom" A. Gere, Sr

Thomas A. "Grandpa Tom" Gere, Sr., 80, of West Pecan Street, Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away Friday, May 9, 2014 at University Medical Center, Lubbock, Texas. Visitation will be 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Monday, May 12, 2014 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, 2014, 10:00 AM, at Denton-Wood Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Carlsbad Cemetery, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Carlsbad Veterans Honor Guard will provide military honors. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Thomas A. "Tom" Gere, Sr. was born May 12, 1933, in Pursglove, West Virginia to Mikail and Helen (Maylar) Gere. He was one of ten children and began mining at the age of 13. Tom joined the Army on April 30, 1951 and began basic training in Ft. Hood, Texas. He served in Korea in 1952 and was honorably discharged in 1954. Tom is a survivor of Heart Break Ridge where he was wounded in 1952. He also served in places such as Punchbowl and Old Baldy. He married Vesta Gunnoe on December 24, 1954, in Oakland, Maryland. Tom reenlisted into the Army on February 7, 1955, serving in Germany and Guam until October 1956. Tom worked as a brakeman for B & O Railroad Co. until 1962. He then moved to Carlsbad and worked for National Potash from July 1963 until February 1982 when the mine shut down. Tom attended two years of petroleum production technology at an oilfield training center. In 1983 he became a certified welder at ENMU-Roswell. Tom delivered busses and large vehicles for Benett Motor Freight in the U.S. and Canada. He retired in 2002. Tom's children were his pride and his grandchildren were his joy. He loved watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Tom's hobbies included playing cards, bingo and having coffee at IHOP and Denny's. He enjoyed traveling and visiting new places. Tom was very kind, caring and generous and was always willing to help others. He was a member of Fox and Lake Church of Christ. Tom was preceded in death by his parents; sons: Thomas Albert Gere, Jr., Clinton Michael Gere; twin granddaughters; siblings: Joseph Paul Gere, Mike Gere, Jr., Samuel Gere, Alexander Gere, Julie Thomas, Margaret Cirillo and Josephine Gere. Survivors are his children: Mary H. Bishop of Carlsbad, NM, Roger L. Gere and wife, Saundra of Weatherford, Oklahoma, Margie A. Jones of Austin, Texas; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; sisters: Francis Griffin, Helen Pompura and numerous nieces and nephews Memorial contributions may be made to Carlsbad Veterans Honor Guard, P.O. Box 1115 Carlsbad, NM 88221. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.