Tom Plunkett

More Local

• ABQTrib.com to remain available
• Former Marine to serve two years in jail for killing Albuquerque robber
• Wilson-Pearce battle for U.S. Senate exemplifies party's disparity

MOST RECENT TRIB STORIES

• ABQTrib.com to remain available
  08:48 a.m., February 25, 2008
• Congressman is indicted
  08:37 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Series of attacks target Green Zone
  08:36 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Iran is defying U.N., agency says
  08:35 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Waterboarding approval probed
  08:34 a.m., February 23, 2008

TRIB IN THE BLOGOSPHERE*

• Ty Murray Invitational thrills fans in Albuquerque
• Is Rome Burning?
• Ominous Skies
• The Road to Invalidation
• Albuquerque company participates in “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”

*Note: The Tribune does not create and is not responsible for the blogosphere's headlines and stories. These links to blogs talking about ABQTrib.com are automatically generated. Use them at your own risk.

STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

SHARE THIS STORY [?]

Tom Plunkett's devotion to the military spanned from World War II to Operation Desert Storm.

Plunkett, who as a young man served in the India-Burma theater in the 1940s and advised young members of the Army Reserve in the 1990s, died Tuesday of a heart attack. He was 86.

"It's amazing to hear some of his stories," said Plunkett's son, Tom Jr. "A couple of people are coming in from the Pentagon who worked for my dad and are going to give testimonials at the services."

Throughout his years of military service, Plunkett's advice was often sought and valued by those he commanded in the Army Reserve.

"He was the `Yoda' of the Army Reserve in New Mexico," Col. Wes Martin said. "He was the man with the vast amount of experience, vast amount of knowledge, and the ability to get things done right. He was the guy that showed us what we needed to do to be successful."

Martin credits Plunkett, who at one time commanded the 156th Support Group in Albuquerque, with giving him the tools to advance from a young captain to a colonel.

"The man was awesome," Martin said. "I had my share of developmental counseling sessions with him and when it was over I always left feeling good because he not only analyzed how it was done but how it could be better and it always gave me encouragement to be even better than I am. And he always allowed me to know that the ability was within."

Plunkett was an only child. He lived in New Mexico for his entire life and was raised by his mother, Lena Plunkett, after his father died in an automobile accident on his way back from a hunting trip.

"I think that's one of the reasons he mentored and fathered everybody," Plunkett's daughter-in-law, Teri Plunkett, said. "Because he was raised by a single mother when it wasn't in vogue to do that."

He attended the University of New Mexico and received a bachelor's degree in Finance Administration. But it was plain to all that his passion was the military - and those who served in it even after he retired.

"Even though we knew he was getting old he was one of those people that you felt would live forever and in a way he will live forever because he will continue to live in every soldier that he has trained and developed and the soldiers they trained and developed," Martin said. "His knowledge is still being passed on."

The last part of Plunkett's life was spent at the Montebello Assisted Living Facility on Academy Road Northeast, where he spent most of his time helping his fellow residents rather than asking for assistance.

"If another person wouldn't use a walker and used a cane he would tell them they needed a walker instead of a cane," Plunkett's daughter-in-law said. "He never stopped mentoring people."

Plunkett is survived by his son, Thomas W. Plunkett, daughter-in-law Teri Plunkett and his grandson Thomas J. Plunkett.

Funeral services for Plunkett are scheduled Monday at 9 a.m. at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 11401 Indian School Rd. N.E.