THOMAS BERNARD ENGRAM

Carbondale—

Lt. Col. Thomas Bernard Engram died peacefully at home in the arms of his loving family and friends at 2.45 p.m., Wednesday, December 5.  He was brave and strong having recovered from many serious illnesses along the way.  He was 98 years young.

Tom was born September 29, 1920 in West Frankfort, Illinois to Harry Eugene and Bessie (Odle) Engram.  He attended school in W. Frankfort, at Johnston City Fowler School and at Shake Rag, then graduated from Johnston City High School, 1938.  He received a Certificate from Brown Business College in Bookkeeping, a Certificate of Competency from the Dept. of Mines and Minerals (State of Illinois) in 1949 as Electrical Hoisting Engineer and a diploma from International Correspondence School in 1953 as an Electrical Engineer.

He married the love of his life, Betty June Howard, November 5, 1941 at the home of her parents, Buford and Ollie Howard, Johnston City.  They were married for 68 years until Betty's death in 2009.  They had three children—Tim, Cheryl and Kent.

After High School Tom went to work for West Frankfort Mercantile Company Store (owned by Scott Mygatt) as assistant cashier, bookkeeper and retail salesman.  In 1941 he began at the CW&F Coal Company, Orient #2 mine as switchboard operator, coal sales assistant and in accounts and payroll.

Tom was sworn into The U. S. Army Air Corps on September 24, 1942 and served through 1945. He completed 36 missions.  His military service medals include The DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, 6 air medals (3 Asiatic Pacific Campaign Battle Stars, Army Occupation Medal, Victory Medal, Longevity Medal, Airman Medal), Armed Forces Reserve Medal.  The Military Airlift Command MAC award was received during his Reserve Duty at Scott Air Force Base, as well as the Long Service Award.

After his service, he resumed work at Orient #2 mine in W. Frankfort.  He received his Hoisting Engineer's License in 1949 and began hoisting for 5 years.  Tom then worked as Assistant Research Engineer at Caterpillar Company Engine Division, East Peoria, Illinois.  He worked on developing a Spark Ignition System for the V-12 diesel caterpillar, an idea ahead of its time in terms of alternative fuel sources for large city sewer plants.  Tom was hired as Electrical Engineer by SIU/Carbondale in 1955.

In 1982 Tom became Director of the SIU/Carbondale Physical Plant.  The University's Architect Office was placed under his directorship at the Physical Plant.  Noteworthy achievements also included the establishment of a Central Control System to handle more efficiently trouble calls to The Plant 24/7.  He also developed a Remote Control System using an IBM computer to provide load-shedding capabilities during the campus' peak demand periods, thus saving the University $100,000.00 in utilities expense the first year.  Tom was instrumental in developing a chilled-water piping system to serve major campus buildings through the existing tunnel network, supplying chilled water for heating from large steam absorption plants.  He also spoke at NASA Headquarters, Texas, on the automation of major systems on SIU's campus.  Tom retired from SIU in 1987.

After retirement he and Betty enjoyed life to the fullest.  Family was uppermost for them; friendships strong and true flowed through their lives.  Tom was an avid horticulturalist, developing the 8 acres where they lived into the mature and beautiful habitat enjoyed today.  His connection with his world was Holistic; politics and justice were of great concern.  He read voraciously on topics ranging from physics to how birds fly.  He was attuned to beauty in every form being an artist himself.  He was conversationally engaging with riveting WW II stories and the fascinating aerial perspective of the Pacific Ocean at night, the schools of fish silvering by, the curvature of the earth at altitude.  He was a student of life to the very end.

Tom and his daughter, Cheryl enjoyed the monthly '40's Group luncheons with Carol, Bob, Esther and Louis.  He was a Scottish Rite 32 Degree Mason since 1949 (Lake Creek Lodge No. 729, Johnston City), a Shriner and member of the former First (American) Baptist Church, Carbondale.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and wife; son, Tim; brothers Eugene and Gilbert Engram, and sister Jane (Moake); sisters-in-law, Janett and Betty Engram, and brothers-in-law Bill Moake and Doug Lee.

Tom was a loving and generous father to his surviving children, Cheryl and
Kent. He is also survived by his sisters, Betty Lee, Carbondale and Barbara (Gus)
Maroscher, Marion; beloved daughter-in-law, Renee Engram and granddaughter,
Tiffany; beloved nieces, nephews and cousins, and step-grandsons Shaun and Kyle.

Deepest thanks are given to the Doctors, Nurses and staff at Carbondale Memorial Hospital, Hospice of Southern Illinois, and to the devoted caregivers Melody and Marilyn for their kindest and most respectful care.  Grateful thanks are also given to neighbor, Joyce for her watchful eye and loving help, and to Tom's devoted and loving friend, Roger.

Arrangements are under the direction of Murman & Wilson Funeral Home (Raymond Savant), Johnston City, Illinois.  Visitation is 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. with the funeral service immediately following at the funeral home, 211 W. Broadway, Johnston City on Sunday December the 16, 2018.  Interment will be at Lakeview Cemetery east of Johnston City.  The Rev. Dr. Roger K. Lyons will preside.  Thomas will be given full U. S. Air Force military honor guard rites.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois.