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| "We were young then...and Airborne." |
Jan-Feb-Mar 2006
| Support Report |
| December 10, 2008 |
| Vol. X NO. 8 |
Thomas Francis who was given the nickname ‘Frenchy” passed away at Emory
University Hospital in Atlanta on Saturday, October 11, 2008, just two weeks after he had
attended the Support Company annual reunion.
“Frenchy” had been a member of the 2nd Mortar platoon while the unit was in Japan on
Operation Gyroscope.
His wife Judy issued the following obituary;
Thomas E. Francis
Thomas E. Francis, 72, of Andrews, NC died Saturday, October 11, 2008 at Emory
University Hospital after a brief illness. He was born in Newport, RI, lived many years in
Pembroke and Duxbury, MA before moving to Andrews in 1981. He was the son of the
late Thomas E and Catherine Patykewich Francis and brother of the late Marianne Post-
Adams. He served in the US Army, proud to
be a paratrooper with the 508 Airborne Regimental Combat Team. He enjoyed many
hobbies; wood carving, basket weaving and being “Tom, the tour director”, traveling with
his wife, Judy, through all 50 states, Canada and places in the Caribbean. He was known
and loved by many people here in the mountains and New England as a wonderful
husband, father, grandfather and friend. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Judith
Koskela Francis; four children and their families, Thomas E. Francis of Kingston, MA,
Keith E. Francis of Andrews, NC, Jody Schwartz of Ramona, CA, and Jessica Montgomery
of Red Oak, TX, a sister Clematis Sitter of Monona, WI, His loving Sister-in-laws and their
families, Valerie Matthew of Alaska and Lisa Moon of RI; Nine grandchildren, and six great
grandchildren. His family asks you to remember him in your thoughts and prayers, and
memorials at your place of worship.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Vernon Rentfro passed away at the Clarksville Hospital on October 27, 2008 and
became the second member to pass in the Month of October.
Vern spent 30 years in the Army and retired a First Sergeant.
He had served in Support Company while the unit was in Japan in 1955-56 as the
Assistant Platoon Sergeant of the Second Mortar platoon. Much of that time was spent on
the Battalion Baseball team where he had been an outstanding slugger and outfielder.
The following obituary was published by Neal-Tarpley Funeral Home;
Vernon G. Rentfro
Vernon Glen Rentfro, 78, Clarksville, died Monday, October 27, 2008, at Gateway
Medical Center. The funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday at Neal-Tarpley Chapel
with greg McCord officiating. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial gardens. Visitation will
be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 9a.m. until the hour of Service Thursday at the
funeral home.
Mr. Rentfro was born April 3, 1930 in Desloge, MO son of the late Paul and Ola Rentfro.
He retired from the US Army as an E8 after 30 years. He served during the Vietnam era.
He was also employed by civil service. Survivors include his wife, Peggy Whitley Rentfro,
Children David Rentfro (Bonnie), Steve Rentfro (Kristy), and Melanie Mendoza (Mark); a
sister, Verna Smith, and three grandchildren, Whitley Rentfro, Victoria Hansen, and
Mason Mendoza. Pallbearers will be Mark Mendoza, Chris Robertson, Keith Robertson,
Jimmy Baker, Mark Gerald, and Jason Duncan.
Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the 508th ARCT. Arrangements entrusted to
Neal-Tarpley Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040.
.
University Hospital in Atlanta on Saturday, October 11, 2008, just two weeks after he had
attended the Support Company annual reunion.
“Frenchy” had been a member of the 2nd Mortar platoon while the unit was in Japan on
Operation Gyroscope.
His wife Judy issued the following obituary;
Thomas E. Francis
Thomas E. Francis, 72, of Andrews, NC died Saturday, October 11, 2008 at Emory
University Hospital after a brief illness. He was born in Newport, RI, lived many years in
Pembroke and Duxbury, MA before moving to Andrews in 1981. He was the son of the
late Thomas E and Catherine Patykewich Francis and brother of the late Marianne Post-
Adams. He served in the US Army, proud to
be a paratrooper with the 508 Airborne Regimental Combat Team. He enjoyed many
hobbies; wood carving, basket weaving and being “Tom, the tour director”, traveling with
his wife, Judy, through all 50 states, Canada and places in the Caribbean. He was known
and loved by many people here in the mountains and New England as a wonderful
husband, father, grandfather and friend. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Judith
Koskela Francis; four children and their families, Thomas E. Francis of Kingston, MA,
Keith E. Francis of Andrews, NC, Jody Schwartz of Ramona, CA, and Jessica Montgomery
of Red Oak, TX, a sister Clematis Sitter of Monona, WI, His loving Sister-in-laws and their
families, Valerie Matthew of Alaska and Lisa Moon of RI; Nine grandchildren, and six great
grandchildren. His family asks you to remember him in your thoughts and prayers, and
memorials at your place of worship.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Vernon Rentfro passed away at the Clarksville Hospital on October 27, 2008 and
became the second member to pass in the Month of October.
Vern spent 30 years in the Army and retired a First Sergeant.
He had served in Support Company while the unit was in Japan in 1955-56 as the
Assistant Platoon Sergeant of the Second Mortar platoon. Much of that time was spent on
the Battalion Baseball team where he had been an outstanding slugger and outfielder.
The following obituary was published by Neal-Tarpley Funeral Home;
Vernon G. Rentfro
Vernon Glen Rentfro, 78, Clarksville, died Monday, October 27, 2008, at Gateway
Medical Center. The funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday at Neal-Tarpley Chapel
with greg McCord officiating. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial gardens. Visitation will
be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 9a.m. until the hour of Service Thursday at the
funeral home.
Mr. Rentfro was born April 3, 1930 in Desloge, MO son of the late Paul and Ola Rentfro.
He retired from the US Army as an E8 after 30 years. He served during the Vietnam era.
He was also employed by civil service. Survivors include his wife, Peggy Whitley Rentfro,
Children David Rentfro (Bonnie), Steve Rentfro (Kristy), and Melanie Mendoza (Mark); a
sister, Verna Smith, and three grandchildren, Whitley Rentfro, Victoria Hansen, and
Mason Mendoza. Pallbearers will be Mark Mendoza, Chris Robertson, Keith Robertson,
Jimmy Baker, Mark Gerald, and Jason Duncan.
Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the 508th ARCT. Arrangements entrusted to
Neal-Tarpley Funeral Home, 1510 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040.
.
| THE QUIET ONE SLIPS AWAY |
| VERN STANDS LAST RETREAT |
Vern was awarded the Nations 2nd highest medal, the Silver Star for bravery in Vietnam. He was proud of
this award but spoke about it very little.
While defending an Ammunition dump, a vehicle was set afire inside the compound by enemy fire.
Fearing the vehicle may cause the ammunition to explode, Vern jumped into the vehicle and drove it to
the outside of the compound saving the lives of his comrades and the ammunition dump.
| THE SILVER STAR By Jim Lutes |
TONEY ESCO TRENT, DECEMBER 3, 1936 TO AUGUST 18, 2009
TONEY Trent was a resident of Baltimore, MD for 65 years. He was born in Russellville, TN.
He died from a massive heart attack while visiting his daughter in Berkly Springs, W.VA.
Toney is survived by his daughter, Glenda Miller; two sisters, Peggy Sue Golembeski of Evans, GA.,
and Wanda Barber; and five grandchildren, Devin, Skyler, Sophia, Keisha and Kaleb.
Tony was preceded in death by his former wife, Anna; two sons, and a sister.
Toney's funeral was held at Gonce Funeral Home in Brooklyn Park, MD. on Monday, August 24,
2009. He was laid to rest at Glen Haven Memorial Park.
Toney was a member of the second mortar platoon of Support Company 508 ARCT in 1955-56. He
transferred to 320th AFA in 1956. He was discharged in 1958.
After his military service, he worked for Anchor Motor Freight Company as a truck driver for 42
years.
Toney was a Charter Member of the Support Company Association and the only meeting he ever
missed was when his mother passed away. He was one of the most generous members of the
organization. In 2004, he presented to every member a wrist watch with the 508 patch on the face.
Tony always gave an extra $50.00 each year to the Association treasury and in 2008, he paid the
membership dues for all members that were present at that reunion.
Toney was known for visiting friends, sometimes going miles out of his way to say hello to an old
buddy. When he attended Bike Week in Daytona Beach, he would visit Jim Lutes in Ormond
Beach and Bill Fernandez in Orlando. Many years before the Association was formed, Toney would
take his semi miles off his route to visit Speedy Gonzales and Vern Rentfro.
Toney loved his Harley and spent many hours riding the country side.
Toney's passing has left great sadness among all who knew him.
TONEY Trent was a resident of Baltimore, MD for 65 years. He was born in Russellville, TN.
He died from a massive heart attack while visiting his daughter in Berkly Springs, W.VA.
Toney is survived by his daughter, Glenda Miller; two sisters, Peggy Sue Golembeski of Evans, GA.,
and Wanda Barber; and five grandchildren, Devin, Skyler, Sophia, Keisha and Kaleb.
Tony was preceded in death by his former wife, Anna; two sons, and a sister.
Toney's funeral was held at Gonce Funeral Home in Brooklyn Park, MD. on Monday, August 24,
2009. He was laid to rest at Glen Haven Memorial Park.
Toney was a member of the second mortar platoon of Support Company 508 ARCT in 1955-56. He
transferred to 320th AFA in 1956. He was discharged in 1958.
After his military service, he worked for Anchor Motor Freight Company as a truck driver for 42
years.
Toney was a Charter Member of the Support Company Association and the only meeting he ever
missed was when his mother passed away. He was one of the most generous members of the
organization. In 2004, he presented to every member a wrist watch with the 508 patch on the face.
Tony always gave an extra $50.00 each year to the Association treasury and in 2008, he paid the
membership dues for all members that were present at that reunion.
Toney was known for visiting friends, sometimes going miles out of his way to say hello to an old
buddy. When he attended Bike Week in Daytona Beach, he would visit Jim Lutes in Ormond
Beach and Bill Fernandez in Orlando. Many years before the Association was formed, Toney would
take his semi miles off his route to visit Speedy Gonzales and Vern Rentfro.
Toney loved his Harley and spent many hours riding the country side.
Toney's passing has left great sadness among all who knew him.
| Toney Trent 1955 |
| Toney Trent 2007 |
Toney Trent (L) and long
time friend Speedy
Gonzales at the 2006
reunion in Huntsville, AL
time friend Speedy
Gonzales at the 2006
reunion in Huntsville, AL