Thomas Merle Shingler

Thomas "Tom" Merle Shingler, 81 years old, of Plano, TX passed away peacefully February 20, 2025 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer at Arabella Hospice Care.

Tom, the eldest of two children, was born on August 28, 1943, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, to Dorothy and Merle Shingler. He would speak often of his admiration for his parents who instilled in him the values of hard work, dedication, and compassion that he would carry with him his whole life.

After graduating from Altoona high school in 1961 he attended Penn State University and then University of Pittsburgh night classes to complete his education, Tom embarked on a distinguished career as a professional engineer where he made significant contributions to industry. Having an innovative spirit is what really excited him. So much so that he was awarded numerous patents for revolutionary metal roof and wall systems.

He started his career in Pittsburgh, PA, then he was asked to head up a new team in San Diego, CA in 1985 and then again in Dallas, TX in 1987, where he would live in and surrounding areas the rest of his life.

He married Nancy Shingler (nee Porta) also from Altoona, PA on June 17, 1967, and they had three children that Tom adored and provided for. He is remembered for his jokes, his concern for his children's scholastic future and his giving nature.

Tom had several hobbies including weightlifting, Judo, collecting sports cars...starting with corvettes then working his way up to his prized 1967 Shelby Cobra that Caroll Shelby signed on the glove compartment door!!...as well as collecting vintage space fantasy toys from the 1940s and 50s.

Other hobbies include listening to and enjoying classic rock (Elton John, Bob Seger, Rod Stewart) and trying to keep up with his kids' musical tastes. He loved goofy comedies from the 80s (Steve Martin and Chevy Chase movies among his favorites), and he loved intelligent and clever comedians such as George Carlin.

Tom is survived by his three adult children Jeffrey (and wife Rebecca), Douglas (and wife Laura), Debra (and husband Brendan), his four grandchildren Cassie, Colin, Landen and Isabella, and his beloved sister Kathy (and husband David) and his nephew Dave and niece Kelley.

As we celebrate and honor the life of Thomas Merle Shingler, we remember his kind spirit, strong work ethic and loyalty to friends throughout the years. Rest in Peace Tom, you will be missed deeply from this day forward. The world is a less fun place without you in it.

"Oh my sorrows, sad tomorrow's, take me back to my own home"

- "Reflections of My Life" by The Marmalade

"And I think it's gonna be a long, long time, 'Til touchdown brings me 'round again to find

I'm not the man they think I am at home, Oh, no, no, no

I'm a rocket man, Rocket man...Burning out his fuse up here alone"

- "Rocket Man" by Elton John

In respect of Tom's last wishes there will be no funeral or memorial service. And will be interred in a mausoleum in his hometown of Altoona, PA and be next to his beloved parents who preceded him in death.