Thomas Lee Krehmeier

Thomas Lee Krehmeier

The Man behind the Machine

He rode a motorcycle, he flew airplanes, but above all, he was the driving force behind our family.

Although his life was cut shorter than expected, we don't know anyone on this planet that achieved more than Thomas Krehmeier. The first thought that pops into our mind when thinking about this great man is the unconditional love he provided for his family. His life began on a Wonderful day in 1939, November 1st, and this was the day the world got to see his face for the first time. Upon graduation from high school, he promptly joined the US Navy which would be one of the smartest decisions he ever made. Why? Because this allowed him to meet the love of his life, the Chaplain's Secretary, Jean Anderson.

After getting a family started, his next great venture would take him to the sky. He worked for the Missouri Department of Transportation for many years when he discovered the second love of his life, flying. This is where his determination shined through. He took any job he was permitted, flying all types of airplanes which allowed him to haul mail on occasions, transport prisoners, move animals and auto parts across the country; deliver live organs to people greatly in need. One of his most treasured memories flying was when he was responsible for transporting the Lady Bears teams of the 90's.

Another characteristic of Thomas Krehmeier was his love for motorcycles. Whether it was the cross country trips to Sturgis, a calm cruise on a back road or a ride about to the Arctic Circle. "We don't ride to forget about our Everyday Lives, we ride to bring it all into Sharper Focus." Nothing made him smile like the loud purr of a Harley Davidson.

He also had an itch for knowledge that was never quite fully scratched. He maintained a daily routine of knocking out every crossword puzzle along with the most difficult of Sudoku's His math skills were scary accurate, and his vocabulary was astronomical, but that's just who he was.

It went without saying that he would always be the instrumental part to any plan our family chose to take on: a Husband, father, father in law, Grandpa, G-Pa, brother and friend.

He is survived by his loving wife of fifty three years Jean, a son Scott and his wife Deborah Krehmeier of Galena, MO, daughter Kimberly and her husband Robert Hawkins of Springfield Missouri; by what the license plate on his motorcycle states proudly, his 5 G-SONS, Billy and Emmett Krehmeier and Charlie, Sam and Thomas Hawkins. He also had two new wonderful additions to his grandson gang, two great grandsons Oskar and Quinton Hawkins. Along with his Siblings, his brother Bill, and 3 sisters: Jeanie, Jody and Mary Sue.

Conversation is held to a minimum, because when the Good Lord is trying to remind us how beautifully we fit into the Great Spectacle, "I just want to cruise along silently and listen. Although if you pass coming the other way, the smile will be unmistakable."

His life will be celebrated in a gathering of family and friends at The Fork and Spoon restaurant, 2340 W. Grand in the Knight's of Columbus building, on Sunday, October 5th from 1-4 pm. In Lieu of flowers please donate to the local charity of your choice.