Thomas Victor Fechner

Services for Thomas "Tom" V. Fechner , 80, of Longview will be Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at Rader Funeral Home Chapel in Longview with Pastor Randy Carter officiating. Burial with follow in Memory Park Cemetery. Family visitation will be Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Rader Funeral Home. Tommy was born January 15, 1928 in Oklahoma to Edward E. Fechner and Agnes Catherine Cox Fechner of Longview. He attended Longview Public School and Allen Military Academy. He married Doris Nell Harris on June 25, 1948 and together they had celebrated 58 years of marriage. He went to be with his Lord and Saviour on Monday, May 26 at his home. Tommy was in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a Quarter Master First Class on board the US Sea Lion Submarine. He received the US Navy Cross medal for heroic service. He was a printer by trade and worked for the Longview News Journal, the Shreveport Times, and the Houston Post. After his retirement in 1985, he was an avid sportsman. He loved to go hunting and fishing. He was also an expert marksman and worked and restored all kinds of guns. Tommy was a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grand father that instilled integrity and hard work to his family members. He was always available to help but he always wanted you to do your best. He was tough but he was always there for you! Mr. Fechner is survived by his daughter, Sherri Fechner Morgan and her husband Keith of Longview, his grandchildren, Shannon and Ben Johnson of Longview, and Jason Morgan of Nacogdoches, his great-grand children, Beaux and Blake Chamberland and their dad, Jason Chamberland. Tommy is also survived by his brother and sister in-laws, Robert and Marilyn Harris of Karnack, Earline Williams of Longview, Mary and Bob Allen of Oklahoma City, Wayne and Nancy Harris of Marshall. He is also survived by by many nieces, nephews, and friends. Mr. Fechner was preceded in death by his parents, Eddie and Catherine Fechner, his grandmother Nell Fechner Lillard who raised him, his wife Doris Harris Fechner, his brother Roland Fechner, and one daughter, Teresa Marie Terri Fechner. He was a devoted and loving father, grandfather, and great-grand father. He always liked to be in charge of things and always liked to play pranks and tease. He will be missed by his family and many friends. And what an appropriate day for him to leave this world than on Memorial Day….a day to honor our veterans. A memorial guestbook may be signed online at www.raderfh.com

Thomas Victor Fechner

January 15, 1928 - May 26, 2008