Thomas Van Dinter

Born and raised in Appleton, Wisconsin, Tom Van Dinter left his hometown after graduating high school to join the military. While stationed in Arlington, Virginia, he met the love of his life Judy Ann Johnston who was also serving in the U.S. Army. They married on July 19, 1965 and moved to Heidelberg, Germany where they had their first child. Three years later they landed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas where their second child was born. He was stationed to Vietnam where he served as a medic during combat. As an avid reader, Tom setup a library while in Vietnam with all the books sent to him by his wife Judy for all his comrades to enjoy. He returned home to his family in San Antonio where they thought it would be nice to add another child to their family, only to be blessed with twins. He served the remainder of his Army career at Fort Sam Houston as a medical instructor until he retired. He then worked for Texas Department of Corrections in Sugarland, Texas. In 1988, Tom and Judy moved to Plano, Texas to be close to their daughter and grandchildren.

He loved his family dearly and loved to nourish them through his great cooking, serving up the best brisket and baby back ribs in town. He was sharp as a whip when playing pinochle, knowing the count of every card played. He also enjoyed Ping-Pong, bowling and reading the newspaper from cover to cover every day and a book a week. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather with a big heart and great sense of humor that will be missed dearly. He passed away at home to join our Father in heaven.

He is preceded in death by his son, Scott Thomas Van Dinter and survived by his wife Judy of 50 years; daughter Debbie Harrison and her husband Gordon and three children - Heather, Craig, and Alexa; his son Steven Van Dinter and wife Cynthia and two children - Scott & Lauren; and son Thomas G. Van Dinter Jr. and wife Christina and three children - Andy, Grace and Ava; and his great-grandson Wesley Thomas Weir, grandson of Debbie and Gordon Harrison and son of Tom's oldest grandchild, Heather Weir and her husband Justin. The family will receive friends at a visitation at Allen Family Funeral Options on Sunday July 26th from 3-5pm. The funeral service will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church at 2700 W. Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, Texas 75023 on Monday July 27th at 11am.