Thomas Melvin Martindale

Thomas Melvin Martindale, 80, of Camdenton, Mo., died on Saturday, March 21, 2015. He was born on Jan. 14, 1935 in Texarkana, Texas to Thomas Joseph and Ethel Mae Martindale. He was married to Beverly Clay Nowlin Martindale, who preceded him in death in 1996. Tom is survived by his three children, Rebecca Lynn Martindale, of Phoenix, Ariz., Thomas Clay Martindale, of Annandale, Va., Richard Todd Martindale, of Fairfax, Va.; his sister, Mary Elizabeth (Beth) Martindale of Maumelle, Ark.; nephew, Michael Charles Thompson, of Jacksonville, Ark.; and niece, Amy Elizabeth Thompson, of East Haven, Conn.; ten grandchildren, Kimberly, Megan, Paul, Thomas, Angel, Kaitlin, Holly, Emily, Lillian and Kelly; and six great-grandchildren, Amanda, Chloe, Jackson, Hannah, Lily and Emma. Tom loved his family and resided in North Little Rock while attending Hendrix College and the (now called) University of Central Arkansas, graduating with a B.Sc. in Physics and Math. He was immediately hired by Boeing Aircraft as a true "rocket scientist" working on projects at the Air Force and NASA bases in Fort Walton Beach and Cape Canaveral, Fla. He studied masters level aeronautical engineering courses while in Florida. He became a popular teacher of Air Force and Boeing pilots and mechanics associated with the advanced Boeing planes. One of his Boeing projects brought him to Long Island, NY to assist in Grumman's development of the lunar rover used on the manned mission to the moon. He also became the field manager for Boeing's commercial planes at the Kennedy International Airport. His last Boeing project began in 1975 as field manager for the Boeing planes in the Strategic Air Command stationed in Washington DC and later in Omaha, Nebraska. Ultimately, Tom's career with Boeing made him a world traveler. He happily retired to Camdenton, Mo. to fish on the lake. Family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 31 from noon till 1 p.m. when the memorial service begins at North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., 758-1170. Burial will be in Edgewood Memorial Park. Online guest book at www.smithfamilycares.com.