Thomas Lafferty Adleta's Obituary
Thomas Lafferty Adleta, loving husband and father of ten children, passed away at the age of 79 on Friday, October 2, 2020 at home surrounded by his loving family in Plano, Texas.
The viewing and visitation will be held 4 pm - 6 pm, October 6, 2020 at Restland Funeral Home on 13005 Greenville Ave., in Dallas and a graveside service will be held at 5 pm, October 7, 2020, at Restland Funeral Home O Lot on 13005 Greenville Ave., Dallas.
He leaves behind his wife of 41 years, Elizabeth Ann (Edgar) Adleta of Plano, TX.; his son, Derek Adleta; his daughter, Kamala Scammahorn, and her children, Hunter, Tyler , and Ashley; his son, Richard and Jennylynn Adleta, and their children, Christian and Anastasia; his son, PFC. Daniel Kole; his son, Capt. Matthew and SPC. Bethany Adleta, and their children, Andrew, Zoey, and Renee; his daughter, Joy and Jeremy Jenkins; his son, 1st Lt. Jonathan Adleta, and his children, Katelyn and Jason; his daughter, Blessing and Kyle Ball, and their children, Gabriel, Kaius, and Rowan; his daughter, Jubilee and Christopher Burns, and their children, Ariyah, Kadence, Isaiah, and Levi; and his daughter, Honour and Kirk Fraiser, and their children, Charley, and Merida; and his older brother, Edward Jackson and Dianne Adleta, and their children; and his cousin, Sue Adleta and Jim Mulhausen; and additional extended family and many great friends. What a legacy!
Tom (Thomas) was born on October 11, 1940, in Dallas, Texas, youngest son to Edward Charles Adleta Jr. and Marie Jayne (Lafferty) Adleta. He graduated from Hillcrest High School in 1957. He moved to Austin where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas in 1961. Tom worked toward his law degree at Baylor University in Waco, Texas for a year and a half prior to enlisting in the Army in 1963. He served in the Military Police attaining the rank of First Lieutenant while based in occupied Germany. Tom was honored to serve because he loved his country. Tom returned to Dallas, Texas, in 1969. Over the next decade, Tom pursued different careers including Stock Broker, Oil and Gas Investments, and Commercial Real Estate, after which he rejoined the Adleta family businesses.
In February 1977, Thomas became a committed follower of Jesus Christ. He met his beloved wife, Elizabeth Edgar, in Dallas and married August 15, 1979, in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. After years as successful business people, the Lord challenged Thomas and Elizabeth with the vision of reaching the “regions beyond where the gospel has gone.” Thomas completed his Master of Arts in missions at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in 1994. Beginning in China, Costa Rica, and Russia then expanding across Asia and eventually globally, their ministry focused on reproducing disciples of Jesus who become disciple makers transforming their communities through Kingdom living.
Tom was a devoted husband and loving father. Always a man of character, curiosity, and depth, he was serious about serving the Lord with every part of his life while retaining his persona as a lovable rogue. Tom had a natural ability to make anyone and everyone family; he never met a stranger. All those who came in contact with Tom were disarmed by his wry sense of humor and instantly found themselves smiling. Tom had the most amazing faith, so much so that in June 1999, his church awarded him the Walk-on-Water award for innovative, step-of-faith “risk” taken to advance the Kingdom of God based on Matthew 14:22-32.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the ongoing ministry through Modern Day on behalf of Elizabeth Adleta. Mail donations to: Modern Day/Liz Adleta, PO Box 535578, Grand Prairie, TX 75053 or donate by credit card or bank draft at: http://www.modernday.org/field-workers/lizadleta/.
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