Tom Chenault

Tom Chenault, 75, of Las Cruces, NM, passed away peacefully on February 27, 2015. He was surrounded by his loving family, who gathered together and rallied around him, providing love, comfort, strength, support, and courage, just as he had to those around him for so many years. He was born to the late Jeff and Edith Chenault on June 30, 1939. He graduated from Odessa High School in 1957 and continued his educational path at Texas Tech University, where he graduated with his bachelor's degree in Mathematics in 1964. Continuing on, he graduated with his master's degree in Mathematics in 1966. While in school, Tom met the love of his life, his beloved Thelma Christenson. They were married in 1963 and had their first born son, Chris, on September 14, 1967. Steve was born next on May 11, 1969, and their final blessing, Shaun, was born on September 18, 1977. After graduation, Tom & Thelma moved to Houston, TX where he worked on the Apollo Project. Then the two journeyed together to White Sands Missile Range where Tom worked on many important defense projects for 33 & years. His next adventure led him to work side by side with his family as they started their own successful internet retail company. Together, the family has made their business a success for over 15 years. In his free time, Tom thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his friends and family. He was an excellent card shark, a master computer programmer, a world traveler, and he absolutely loved a good joke. He was an exceptionally loving grandfather and nothing pleased him more than spending time with and teaching his grandchildren. In April of 2014, he joyfully welcomed his first great grandson into the family. Tom was always extremely generous with his time and money. For many years, he volunteered at the local prison teaching inmates public speaking skills among other things. He was also an avid participant and leader in his local Toastmasters chapter. He then became Governor of Toastmasters of New Mexico. Among his many other accomplishments, Tom also published his own mathematical theorem in order to find unknown twin primes. Tom is survived by his ever loving wife, Thelma Chenault, their 3 sons, Chris Chenault and his wife, Luciana, Steve Chenault and his wife, Meghan, and Shaun Chenault and his wife, Sisca. He will be greatly missed by all, but above all, he will be missed by his grandchildren Travis Chenault and his wife, Reanna, Isabella, Danny, Angelina, and by his great grandson, William. His request of being cremated has been respectfully upheld and a memorial service in his honor will be held on Sunday, March 8, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. at Sonoma Springs Covenant Church located at 3940 Sonoma Springs Avenue, Las Cruces, NM 88011. PDF Printable Version