Obituary: Joe T. Lenamon

Joe Thomas “Joe T.” Lenamon, one of the founding fathers of the Texas Baptist Men missions organization, died April 2 in Fort Worth. He was 92. He was born Oct. 5, 1929, in a farmhouse at the Box Church/Rocky Point community near Groesbeck to Bart and Kate Lenamon. After graduating as valedictorian of his class at Groesbeck High School and earning his associate degree at Tarleton State Junior College, he attended Texas A&M University. At Texas A&M, he earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education, was a member of the Corps of Cadets and received a commission as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. His further education included studies at Texas Christian University, Brantley Draughon Business College, American Institute of Banking and National Trust School of Northwestern University. He married his hometown sweetheart, Tomi Jean Anderson, on Aug. 21, 1951. Soon after their honeymoon, he reported to Biloxi, Miss., to begin his service in the Air Force. He was deployed to Korea, where he flew missions in RB-26s as an electronic counter-measures operator. After he completed his military service, a cup of coffee with a cousin in Fort Worth led to a job as a paying/receiving teller at the Fort Worth National Bank and the beginning of his banking career. He retired in 1995 as a senior vice president of the bank after 41 years of service. He was ordained as a deacon at Eastover Baptist Church of Fort Worth in 1957. The Lenamons joined Travis Avenue Baptist Church of Fort Worth in 1961, where he served in numerous leadership positions over the next six decades. In 1967, he was instrumental in the founding of Texas Baptist Men. He was the organization’s president from 1974 to 1976. In 2008, he received the Pioneer Award for Service from the Texas Baptist Missions Foundation. He served on the board of several charitable trusts and Hardin-Simmons University, as well as many civic organizations and local charities. He served many years on the board of what is now Riverbend Retreat Center in Glen Rose. Both Lenamon Lodge at Riverbend Retreat Center and Lake Lenamon at Latham Springs Baptist Encampment were named in his honor. In addition to his denominational service at the local, state and national levels, he also served on multiple councils related to Texas A&M University, including the Chancellor’s Century Council executive committee and the 12th Man Foundation. He was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Beth Fife; a brother, John; his wife of 68 years, Tomi; and a son, Joel. He is survived by his daughter Roseanne and husband, John McAdams; son Mickey and wife, Sallie Lenamon; son Tony Lenamon; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a sister, Frances DuPlantis. A memorial service is scheduled at 11 a.m. on April 23 at Travis Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Worth. Visitation with the family will begin at 10 a.m. The memorial service will be livestreamed here, with the link opening when the service begins. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to Texas Baptist Men or Travis Avenue Baptist Church.