Thomas Aiena, age 79, died May 9, 2006 at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital. He was born July 25, 1926 in Beaumont, Texas to John and Concetta Aiena, graduated from South Park High School in 1944 and joined the United States Navy the week after graduation to proudly take part in the Pacific Area during World War II. After discharge from the Navy in 1946, he hired on with Texaco Refinery as a truck driver, while attending classes at Lamar College. After thirty-nine years, Thomas retired as general foreman of maintenance planning in 1985. He then, was President of Thomas & Associates, Inc., a planning company for refinery maintenance. He was also a member and usher for Wesley United Methodist Church, the early service, for many years.
Thomas is survived by his wife, Jackye Aiena; son, Thomas A. Aiena and wife Mary of Lumberton; daughter, Kathleen Combest and husband Brand of Lumberton; stepson, Kirk Martin and wife Suzanne of Beaumont; sisters Annie Marino of Sour Lake, Mary Strother of Vidor, Sadie Hicks of Sour Lake and Pearl Rhoney of Beaumont; brothers, Joe Aiena of Sour Lake and Leon Aiena of Beaumont. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Brandi Mason of Tampa, Florida, Clay Aiena of Dallas, Texas, Kam Polnick of Round Rock, Texas, Julie Martin of New York, NY, Kelli Combest of Fort Worth, Texas, Daniel Martin of College Station, Texas, Chase Combest and Kacy Combest both of Lumberton; and five great grandchildren.
Funeral service will be 10:00 A.M. Friday, May 12, 2006 at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive followed by burial at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Clay Aiena, Daniel Martin, Chase Combest, Brad Polnick, Pat Anderson and Robert Marino. Honorary pallbearers will be Ricky Hicks, Jodie Aiena, Mark Moore and Scott Rhoney.
A gathering of family and friends will be Thursday evening from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at the mortuary. The service will be officiated by The Reverend Elvis Davis and Father Michael Strother, Thomas’ great-nephew.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Wesley United Methodist Church, 3810 North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77713.
Special thanks to Dr. T.K. Colgan and Dr. Ronald Palang and their staff of wonderful nurses.
