Tom Edward Lentz, beloved husband and father, passed away on the afternoon of his 91 ^st birthday, May 12, 2021, in Denton, TX.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Betty Lou Dawson; daughter Linda Lou Lentz Partida (Ralph) of Keller, Texas; son John Edward Lentz (Janice) of Corinth, Texas; daughter Holly Lynn Lentz Kleeman (Andrew) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; grandchildren April Yvonne Jennison, Catessa Bell, Charles Edward Lentz, Elizabeth Lauren Lentz, Hannah Brooke Kleeman and Jakob Noah Kleeman; and great-grandson Dominick Cardenas. Preceded in death by parents John M. and Ethel Bryant Lentz, sisters Wilma Lentz Stiles and Louise Lentz Wilson, Nell Lentz Grissom and brother Joe B. Lentz.

A devoted son and a proud veteran of the United States Air Force (1947-68), Tom embodied the code of "Duty, Honor, Country." After serving our country, he embarked on entrepreneurial endeavors, owning two service stations in the Washington, DC area. He later resumed his work with missile engines and wind tunnels at AEDC in Tullahoma, TN. Throughout his life, Tom selflessly put others first. His magnetic charisma lit up the lives of countless people, bringing smiles and putting others at ease wherever he went. His personality was legendary, and never did anyone cross his path who was not left the better for it. He leaves his family with treasured memories of watching him spin his magic, creating smiles and forming friendships with family, friends and strangers. For his family, he will forever remain the greatest man they have ever known, and his memory will continue to inspire them every single day, just like he did in life.

A private family memorial service with military honors will be held on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 in Denton, TX, at Mulkey-Bowles-Montgomery Funeral Home.  He will be laid to rest at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Tom's honor to either the Gary Sinise Foundation for American Veterans or the Alzheimer's Association.