Obituary of Joe T. Lenamon

Joe Thomas (Joe T) Lenamon peacefully entered into the arms of his Heavenly Father on April 2, 2022 in Fort Worth, TX, at the age of 92. He was born October 5, 1929 in a farmhouse at Box Church/Rocky Point community near Groesbeck, TX to Bart and Kate Lenamon. He was the second of four children. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Mary Beth Fife, his brother, John, his beloved wife, Tomi, and his son, Joel. Joe was a kind and thoughtful person who was loved and respected by all who knew him. He spent his life doing things that have eternal consequences.Joe graduated from Groesbeck High School in 1947. He played football, ran track, and was the captain of the basketball team his senior year. He was Junior Class president, most popular Senior boy and Valedictorian. Joe completed a degree at Tarleton State Jr. College, where he was a member of the ROTC and was named Outstanding Cadet his first year there. After that, he attended Texas A&M, where he earned the degree of B.S in Agricultural Education and received a commission as an officer in the U. S. Air Force. He was a member of the Corps of Cadets, Phi Kappa Phi and Alpha Beta fraternities. Further education included TCU, Brantley Draughon Business College, American Institute of Banking, and National Trust School of Northwestern University.Joe married his hometown sweetheart, Tomi Jean Anderson on August 21, 1951. They honeymooned in Waco that night and a day later took the train via Houston and New Orleans to Biloxi, MS where Joe started his military service. They were happily married for 68 years. Joe was deployed to Korea where he flew missions in RB-26s as an electronic counter-measures operator. He returned home in early 1953 in time for the birth of his first child, Roseanne.In June, 1953, a chance cup of coffee with a cousin in Fort Worth led to a job as a paying/receiving teller at the Fort Worth National Bank. Joe moved the family to Fort Worth and his three sons, Joey, Mickey and Tony were born there. He retired in 1995 as a Senior Vice President of the Trust Real Property Management Department after 41 years of service.Joe was involved with civic activities and served as the Presidents of Camp Carter YMCA Board .( He received the Chi Ro Award ), Cumberland Presbyterian Children’s Home board in Denton, and the Fort Worth Farm and Ranch Club. Other involvements included St Joseph’s Hospice, Treasurer of Pack 50 Boy Scouts of America, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Hardin Simmons University Board of Trustees.Joe invested his life in other peoples’ lives in a significant, meaningful way. He loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ above all and sought to be His servant and further His kingdom in all that he did. Joe taught and lived servant leadership and God blessed him with many opportunities to demonstrate this leadership.Joe served as a leader in his local church. He and Tomi joined Travis Avenue Baptist Church in 1961. He was ordained as a deacon in 1957 at Eastover Baptist Church and held many leadership positions in the deacon body, committees, and Sunday school. An article in the Baptist Standard said that he was a “fixture in Baptist life.” That same article called him the “top layman in the city. His passion was to work with men’s and boys’ groups in missions education, which he felt led them to positive benefits in all areas of ministry. He said that he had been privileged to serve as a leader at every level of this work in the Southern Baptist Convention -from local to worldwide.In 1967 he was one of the founding fathers of Texas Baptist Men. He served as its President for 3 consecutive years from 1974-76, the maximum amount allowed and in other officer positions. Today, his son, Mickey, is the Executive Director. In 2008 he received the Pioneer Award for Service from the Texas Baptist Missions Foundation. He received many awards for his service to missions and church organizations, but he felt most gratified that the tradition he instituted of praying for the missionaries who had birthdays at every men’s and boys’ gathering had continued. He said that in 1987, following a presentation by Henry Blackaby of his Experiencing God principles, TBM was revolutionized. It went from “program driven,” to “responding to God’s invitation.” The results of this are seen today as TBM is synonymous with Disaster Relief and Ministry.Joe gave freely of his time and his money, but God also used him in a mighty way to distribute His funds to those who needed it. Joe served on the Boards of several charitable trusts and was able to see that many deserving groups received grants.Since its beginning, Joe had a relationship with Riverbend Retreat Center in Glenrose, TX and served on its board for many years. He was instrumental in obtaining funding for many projects, buildings, and was honored with Lenamon Lodge in 2005. He served as nature leader at camp there for 11 years and attended the Men’s Fish Fry every year. They often celebrated his birthday at that time with a huge cake. In 1977 Latham Springs Baptist Encampment named their lake, “Lake Lenamon” in honor of Joe. Joe served on the board of TCU/Fellowship of Christian Athletes and helped with scholarships and programs. He helped several local pregnancy centers and community programs for after school care.Joe loved being an Aggie and invested his time, money, and legacy in Texas A&M. He served as a trustee for the G Rollie White Trust. He participated in the 12th Man Foundation, Chancellor’s Century Council Executive Committee, College of Agriculture Development Council, School of Law, Aggie Veteran Network, Corps of Cadets, and many others. He and Tomi were the recipients of an endowed scholarship presented by their children.Joe is survived by his children, Roseanne and husband, John McAdams, Mickey and wife, Sallie Lenamon, Tony Lenamon. Grandchildren, Kate and husband, David Dosanjh, Sarah and husband, Brady White, Ryan and wife, Jenna Lenamon, Parker Lenamon, Travis Lenamon, Hayley Lenamon. Great-grandchildren, Ethan White, Levi White, Carly Jean White, Remington Lenamon. Sister, Frances DuPlantis, many nieces, nephews, and others he called family. Special thanks and love to all those who lovingly cared for him especially Adriana, Olga. Overture Home Care, St Gabriel’s hospice and the staff and friends at The Vantage in Cityview.His foundation was Christ and he built his house on that which glorified God, sharing Christ with as many people as possible.