World War II and Korean War Veteran, Thomas William Uhlmeyer, born February 2, 1921 in Big Pine, Inyo County, CA to Clarice and Ira Uhlmeyer, passed away February 25, 2004.

Tom was educated in Big Pine Elementary School, graduated from Lone Pine High School, Lone Pine, CA. He attended Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and also attended University of Nevada at Reno.

Tom entered the US Army in 1942, and was assigned to the Army Air Corp. He trained in Chicago, IL (in the Stevens Hotel) and became a radio operator. Tom was assigned to 56th Troop Carrier Squadron, 375th Troop Carrier Group, 5th Air Force. During WWII he was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. After joining the US Air Force in 1948, he served in many areas and in many countries - including Bermuda, Japan, Taiwan, England, Turkey and Hawaii. He retired in 1969 after more than 23 years of service. He was then employed by the Xerox Corporation until 1981.

Tom has been an amateur radio operator for over 45 years and worked with the American Red Cross, and the California Department of Forestry as a Volunteer in Fire Prevention in many emergency situations for over 10 years. He also served as an Assistant Scout Master with Troop #77 in Orange County for many years.

Tom held membership in the Free & Accepted Masonic Order for 57 years, Inyo Lodge #221, Independence, CA and Porterville Lindsay Lodge #308, Porterville, CA where he served as an officer for several years. He was a member of High Twelve International. He also belonged to Palm Leaf Chapter #114, Order of the Eastern Star serving as Worthy Patron in 1995 and in many other offices.He was a member of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Porterville Amateur Repeater Association (Past President), Quarter Century Wireless Association, and the Air Force Flyers Club.

Tom was a writer of stories from his past and events of which he had knowledge, and letters. He felt strongly on many subjects and wrote letters to public officials and newspapers. He enjoyed photography, history, and reading, and inspired those he loved to join his enthusiasm. Tom brought so much joy and inspiration to his family and friends that his passing will leave a big vacuum in our lives.

Preceded in death by his parents, brother, Owen Uhlmeyer and sister Adele.

Survivors include: his brother Art Uhlmeyer and wife Geri of Olympia, WA; his wife Laura Uhlmeyer of Porterville, CA; children: Candace Elizabeth Uhlmeyer and husband Rod Coltman of McKinney, TX, Michael Uhlmeyer and wife Cassaundra of Sparks, NV, David Wayne Uhlmeyer and wife Leandra of Encinitas, CA, and Dawn Heistuman and husband Bob of Encinitas, CA; grandchildren: Ethan Pasternack and wife Anna of Seattle, WA, Esther Uhlmeyer Pasternack of Plano, TX, Joshua Uhlmeyer of Reno, NV, Sarah Uhlmeyer of Carson City, NV, Cayla Uhlmeyer of Carson City, NV, Emily Grace Uhlmeyer of Sparks, NV, ET3 John Heistuman aboard the USS Valley Forge (homeport San Diego, CA), William Thomas Heistuman of Turlock, CA, Paul Heistuman of Encinitas, CA, Aurora Uhlmeyer of Encinitas, CA, Ashely Adele Uhlmeyer of Encinitas, CA, David Frank Uhlmeyer of Encinitas, CA; and cousins: Jim Allen, Elsie Dorr, Ed Barmore, Eva Jane Uhlmeyer, Frank Strickland, Frances Fredy, Ira Uhlmeyer, Bill Uhlmeyer, Wanda Cooper, and Willma Gore.