L. T. "Red" Twomey
Red Twomey at Marine Air Groups Reunion 2009
(photo courtesy of Bob Miller)
Mesquite, Texas---Leslie Thomas "Red"
Twomey was called home by the Lord Wednesday, April 21, 2010.
He was born August 10, 1915 in Mounds, Illinois. Red spent his childhood and
young adult life in Memphis, Tennessee. There he played baseball and captained
the South Side football team. After graduation Red played football at University
of Tennessee at Martin. In 1942, at the age of 27, Red enlisted in the Marine
Corp. When asked why, he said "There's a war going on." On November 9, 1943, he
married Julia Lee Kent. Red and Judy were married for 66 years. They endured
many of life's joys and hardships. During his 31 year Marine Corp career, Red
achieved the rank of Warrant Officer, saw action in WWII, Korean War, Viet Nam
and earned many metals and commendations. After retirement from the Marine Corp,
Red and Judy moved to Athens where together they built their new home. They
attended many Marine reunions across the country, reuniting friendships they
made during his 31 years of service. Red was a member of First United Methodist
Church, DAV, Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, a 32 degree mason and was presented
the Golden Trowel.
He was preceded in death by his parents Leslie Thomas and Vivian Ruth
Twomey, wife Julia Lee
Twomey and sister Virginia Ruth Twomey.
Survivors include son Terry Twomey and wife
Linda, Mansfield; daughter Donna Adams and husband Harry, Mesquite;
grandchildren Mark Kitts, Todd Kitts and wife Denise; great grandchildren Katie,
Rylee and Sammie Kitts.
(from Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home, Athens, TX)
All of his WWII and Korean buddies called him just plain "Red". After he made Warrant Officer, the remainder of us called him "Mister Twomey". He was a great inspiration to many Marines.