TERRY LYAL TOMLINSON

1939-2021

With deep sadness, we announce the death of Terry Lyal Tomlinson of Houston, Texas, who passed away on August 15, 2021 at the age of 81. Terry will be deeply and always missed by his wife of 59 years, Margaret, their son Tom and Tom’s wife Bridget, and grandchildren Geoffrey and Avery.

Terry was born in Edmonton, Alberta to Jack and Doris Tomlinson on August 27, 1939. After school, Terry joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and it was while visiting a bank near the base that he met the love of his life, Margaret Leonard. She thought he looked awfully cute in his uniform, and agreed to date him if he would quit smoking. It was the best decision he ever made.

He and Margaret would live in such exotic locales as Cold Lake (average winter low -3 degrees before windchill) before moving to Texas so that he could take a job as an electrical engineer at NASA where he would work on, among other projects, the Apollo 11 lunar landing module.

After a few years of getting used to the Texas heat (and preferring it to the Canadian cold) and adopting to local customs by becoming expert square dancers they permanently re-settled in Houston and Terry left NASA to become a commercial mortgage broker, a job at which his intelligence, sense of humor, and people skills allowed him to thrive.

Throughout his life, his highest priority was his family, who he supported and loved with all of his being. His son Tom was born in 1970 and, as an only child, was spoiled rotten thereafter. Terry was the most encouraging and supportive dad possible, always there to help his son reach for his dreams while ensuring that he knew that he was loved, He often reminded Tom that while having a good career was important, the most essential things were to find happiness in family, to always be curious, and to save some time for fun.

A memorial mass will be held for Terry at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church (10688 Shadow Wood Drive) on Monday, August 23, at 10:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, Terry would want you to take some time to go have a nice lunch or dinner with family or friends and tell them how much they mean to you.