Thomas Lett

Thomas H. Lett, Jr., 84, of Cape Girardeau, MO died Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at The Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau, MO. He was born April 12, 1924, in St. Louis, MO, the son of Thomas H. and Evelyn Miller Lett. He and Mary Lou Caldwell were married on December 14, 1952 in Piggott, Arkansas. Tom enlisted in the U.S. Navy upon graduating from Morely High School in 1942. He received Wings and Commission as a fighter pilot Nov. 1943. His F-4-F plane crashed Feb. 10, 1943. He spent Feb. 1944 till Nov. 1945 receiving reconstructive surgery for his injuries. He retired as an Ensign in the US. Navy in 1945. Tom received a Bachelor of Science in Vocational Agriculture at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri in 1955. He taught Vocational Agiculture at Delta High School 1955 to 1957 and at Kelly High School from 1957 to 1960. Tom started his career in the Dept. of Agriculture in 1960, first as office manager at ASCS in Scott County, Mo. He was an Employment Development officer in Washington D.C. from 1965 to 1971. While in that position he was detailed to the Executive Office of the president from 1969 to 1971. He received a promotion to Employee Development Specialist at the Kansas City field office from 1971 to 1977. In 1977 he was head of Grain Export Claims Division and retired in 1978. He graduated with 2 Masters Degrees from Webster College in Human Relations and Counseling Service in 1975 while working in the Dept. of Agriculture. In 1978 he started Tom Lett Nursery in Cape Girardeau. Tom also was a professor at Southeast Missouri University from 1979 to 1980. He taught agriculture courses. He continued with his tree nursery into the late 1990's. Tom was a Master Mason in the Scottish Rite since 1945. He was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church. He is survived by: Wife-Mary Lou Lett of Cape Girardeau, Mo.Son-Paul Lett of Cape Girardeau, Mo.Daughter-Scarlett Puls and husband, Charley of Cape Girardeau, Mo.Grandchild-Selina M. Lett of Cape Girardeau, Mo. He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Thomas H. Lett III. Friends may call at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Funeral Home on Thursday, June 26, 2008 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Service will be at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Funeral Home on Friday, June 27, 2008 at 10:00 AM with the Rev. Jim Sanderson officiating. Burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park, in Cape Girardeau, MO. Ford & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Tributes

Thomas Lett

June 24, 2008