Thomas Edwin Erlanson

1930 - 2021

Thomas Edwin Erlanson

July 10, 1930 - July 19, 2021

Tom Erlanson, 91, of Waco, passed away July 19, 2021, surrounded by his loved ones. Visitation will be 6 to 8, Wednesday, July 21. Services will be 1, Thursday, July 22, at the OakCrest Funeral Home, with Rev Tim Jarrell officiating. Burial will follow in Waco Memorial Park.

Tom was born July 10, 1930, in Waco, to Wallace and Allie Erlanson. He graduated from LaVega High School in 1947. After graduation he joined the U.S. Navy (1948 to 1952) and served aboard the USS Baltimore during the Korean War. He continued his Navy career in the Naval Reserves from 1953 to 1985. Tom studied Accounting at 4-C College in Waco. His professional career included time as a butcher, sales rep for Barnes Lumber Company and he retired from the United States Post Office after 26 years in 1990. He was known on his walking mail route as the "whistling postman."

In October 1951 he married the love of his life Opal Hopkins. After his retirement, Tom and Opal traveled extensively throughout the United States in their many campers, travel trailers, and motorhomes.

Tom and Opal were long time members of Cogdell Methodist Church. He lived by the motto "why buy it if you make it!"

He was preceded in death by his mother, father, and older brother, Doyle Erlanson of Wimberly, Texas.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Opal; daughter, Pam Reyes and husband, Rick, of Carrollton, TX, Vicki Reesing of Hewitt, TX, Tommy Erlanson Jr. and wife, Karen, of Wauchula, Florida and Brian Erlanson of Frisco, TX. Six grandchildren, Tina Breckenfeld and husband, Ted, Robyn Turner and husband, Robert, Katrina Johnson and husband, Aaron, Cheryl Cook and Scott Miller, and Jacqueline and Rebecca Erlanson. Great-grandchildren include Hanna and Garret Breckenfeld, Elliot Turner, Clara, Cullen and Luke Johnson.

Pallbearers will be Tommy Jr. and Brian Erlanson, Rick Reyes, Ted Breckenfeld, Robert Turner and Aaron Johnson.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cogdell Methodist Church or Disabled American Veterans.