Ret. Col. Thomas L. Mann

Thomas L. Mann, Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret.), age 88, died January 23, 2006 at Trinity Medical Center in Brenham, Texas. He was born in Judsonia, Arkansas to Ralph Carlton Mann and Winnie Latta Mann. He graduated from Searcy, Arkansas High School in 1935 and from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas in 1939. Colonel Mann received a direct commission into the Regular Army of the United States as a result of being designated an Honor Graduate and Senior of ROTC. He served 30 years in the army that included World War II, Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. His service included tours with the 11th Airborne Division of the 82nd Airborne Division. He experienced 69 parachute jumps in these divisions. Colonel Mann also served as Chief of Staff of the Joint Task Force Eight that conducted atomic testing at Christmas Island and Johnson Island in 1963. His decorations include Legions of Merits, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Commendation Medals, Combat Infantry Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge and Senior Jump Master Badge.

Colonel Mann was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Brenham and a member of the Masonic Lodge and a 32nd Degree Mason.

Colonel Mann is survived by his wife, Ruth Whiddon Mann of Brenham, Texas and her family: Dr. Randolph Bailey and family of Houston, Texas and Thomas Whiddon and family of Steamboat Springs, Colorado; a son Thomas Latta Mann, Jr. of Knoxville, Tennessee; and granddaughters Amy Scott Mann Lynch and family of Norfolk, Virginia and Elizabeth Jordan Mann Morrish and family of Canton, Georgia. He is also survived by a sister, Janis Mann Huitt and family of Brenham.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Winnie Mae Latta Mann, father, Ralph Carlton Mann, Sr., brother Ralph C. Mann, Jr. and his first wife, Helen Jordan Mann.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 Friday, January 27th at Brenham Memorial Chapel.

Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 28th in St. Peter’s Episcopal Church of Brenham with Rev. Cecilia Smith officiating. At a later date burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia with full military honors.

Pallbearers are Bud Smith, Richard O’Malley, Bobby Wilson, Jack Edwards, Dr. Gregg Workman and Bill Makins. Honorary pallbearers are Jack Appel, Paul LaRoche, Bobby Schroeder, Shorty Trostle, Luther Utesch, Charles Lewis, A. C. Miller, Dan O’Connell, Jim Huitt, Roger Metzger, Jeff Appel, John Appel, and Ed Duckworth.

Contributions, if desired, may be made to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, P. O. Box 937, Brenham, Texas 77834-0937 or the charity of choice.

Funeral services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833 979.836.3611. www.brenham-memorial-chapel.com