Tom Edward Lancaster

Tom Edward Lancaster was the second child born to Hobart and Virginia Lancaster in Gordonville, Tennessee on December 14, 1934. After spending his early childhood and adolescent years in Tennessee he moved with his parents and sister to Cleveland, Ohio where he worked for a short time before joining the US Air Force in 1953. Upon completing his basic training, Tom began his illustrious 28 year career in assignments worldwide in places such as Guam, Okinawa, Germany, Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand, New York, Florida, Nebraska, Washington D.C., Michigan, Mississippi and culminating in California where he retired and received numerous citations, awards and declarations.
Early in his military career Tom met and married Adell Owens and together they had four children...Shari, Tommy, Robin, and David who all traveled the world together as a family. During his life in the military, Tom served his country with honor, valor and selfless service whenever called upon. Following his military career, Tom entered the world of academia where he earned his Bachelor's degree from the University of Southern Mississippi then relocated to Nevada where he received his Masters' degree from the University of Nevada Las
Vegas, majoring in Rehabilitation Psychology and started working towards a PhD. Upon leaving school Tom worked briefly for the state of Nevada before opening his own business in Las Vegas and became the President and CEO of the Las Vegas Vocational Rehabilitation Center until retiring for a second time in order to follow his passion of raising horses, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Upon final retirement Tom relocated to a small town in New Mexico where he planted and harvested apple and peach trees and spent time with close friends. Declining health resulted in Tom being moved closer to family in Alabama, where he received much love and care.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents Hobart and Virginia Lancaster, his sister and brother-in-law Lula and Ted Anderson, his daughter Shari Lancaster-Sanchez, son-in-law Donald Parham, and grandsons Gerald Sanchez and Brandon Parham. He is survived by his wife of 31 years Adell Lancaster, his son and daughter-in-law COL retired Tommy and Melanie Lancaster, daughter Robin Lancaster-Parham, son David Lancaster, and son-in-law Leonard Sanchez; grandchildren Ashley Lancaster, Tommy Lancaster Jr., Chauncey Sanchez, Ilia (Mike) Hampton, Nicholas Parham, Tyler Broady, Breonia Engelmann, Dominque and Makayla Lancaster, eight great grandchildren and his aunt, Hazel Lancaster.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at 12:30 p.m. at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 274 Beauvoir Road in Biloxi, where friends may visit one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery with military honors to be performed by the United States Air Force Honor Guard.