Thomas Eugene DeMint

Thomas Eugene DeMint, 82, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, died Saturday, January 13, 2007, at his home.

He was born March 30, 1924, at Raymond, Kansas, a son of the late Marion A. and Katherine Burns DeMint.

He was reared and received his early education in Raymond, Kansas, graduating from Raymond High School in 1942. He also attended Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, and Hutchinson Junior College in Hutchinson, Kansas.

He served as a pilot in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II.

Mr. DeMint had been a pilot since 1944, and was the owner and operator of Astro Airways Corporation, before retiring in 1998.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Confederate Air Force which is now known as the Commemorative Air Force; Arkansas Pilots Association, Staggerwind and Beech 18 Museum, Class of 44F Pilots, the Experimental Aircraft Association, and was an avid Master Gardener.

Survivors include his wife, Linda E. Adams DeMint, whom he married on January 9, 1988; four sons, Thomas E. DeMint, Jr. of Hilton Head, South Carolina, United States Senator Jim DeMint of Greenville, South Carolina, Scott DeMint of Greer, South Carolina, Mitchell DeMint of Pine Bluff; a stepson, Barry W. Jackson of Pine Bluff; two daughters, Kathryn DeMint Oswald of Chaplin, South Carolina, Leigh DeMint Myers of Dallas, Texas; two step-daughters, Rebecca Streeter of El Dorado, Michelle Duncan of Dallas, Texas; a brother, William "Bill" DeMint of Albuquerque, New Mexico; three sisters, Marguerite Riedy of Hope, Kansas, Virginia Price of Lawrence, Kansas, Roberta Crider of Lawrence, Kansas; twelve grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two step-grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass was celebrated, January 17, 2007, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with Reverend Monsignor Jack D. Harris officiating. Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Home. Interment was at Graceland Cemetery.

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