Page 39 - Lubbock Senior Link Magazine Summer 2022 - Online Magazine

FIRST RESPONDERS

One of the memorable cases Tom or not. Until Tom’s retirement, the Methodist in Abilene. They are also
investigated during his tenure in Ranger Bandit sent Tom a Christmas active in the Emmaus Communities,
Abilene concerned the Ranger card every year from Federal Prison. both in Abilene and Lubbock.
Bandit, Steve Benifiel, kingpin of
one of the largest methamphetamine Tom retired in June 1995 and Recently, Tom was the Lay Director
drug rings in West Texas. This story then spent ten years as a Private on a men’s Emmaus Walk at Slaton
can be found in detail in the February Investigator and piloting charter and recounted this story. On July
1992 issue of Texas Monthly. Tom flights. Angie owned a bridal shop 1, 1989, he was flying a single, six-
helped to head up the multi-agency in Abilene for fourteen years. passenger plane from New York City
task force to gather evidence to stop Currently, they enjoy working with to Abilene. He is meticulous with
the illegal activities of the well-liked son Cary and his wife, Tammy, and flight plans and always rerouted
and well-feared garage owner and enjoying four grandchildren. to avoid bad weather. But that
businessman from Ranger, who had Reflecting on his years as an FBI day, because of a storm’s rapid
local members of law enforcement agent, Tom noted that there are development, he found himself
and government in his back pocket. always bad actors from whom the amid blackness and turbulence that
After about two years of intensely world needs protection. But others threatened to tear the wings off the
challenging work, they were finally just made mistakes, without malice, plane. With seemingly no way out,
able to “get the goods on him” and Tom tried to help them get on in dire straits, with air controllers
and about 35 others of his ring. the right path if possible. He and telling him he was on his own, Tom
The Border Patrol bus secured to Angie share a strong faith. He was told the Lord, “I’m in a mess. I’m
transport the bunch to Federal Court raised Baptist and she Catholic (St. turning the controls over to You.” In
in Lubbock was full. Joseph’s—Slaton), so they became the distance, Tom saw an opening in
the dark clouds (sometimes known
One of Tom Methodists as a sucker hole because it can draw
Clark’s and have pilots into false security.) But Tom
mottos was, been in active trusted God, so he headed through
“If you give leadership the opening and into calm, serene
respect, often in Methodist skies. Now Tom has another motto:
respect will congregations “If God is your Copilot, change
be returned.” around the seats.”
Plus, Tom country. Tom
saw every is currently Perhaps the better title for this story
person as a Trustee is “Sky Co-Captain.”
child of God, Chairman at
wayward Aldersgate

Lubbock Senior Link 39