Thomas Yenowine Sr

Thomas Evans Yenowine Sr, at 86 years of age went to meet his loving wife Lela Jane (Hughes) and adoring daughter, Deborah Louise (Yenowine) Barlow on Monday, March 26, 2018. Tom passed peacefully at Baptist Hospital East with family in attendance.
Born in Portland, Kentucky to Ethel L. (Evans) Yenowine and Thomas M. Yenowine on November 4, 1931, he had only one sibling, George H. Yenowine III (Cmdr. USN retired) all of whom have preceded Tom in passing.
Tom attended DuPont Manual High school for three years then graduated from Portland Christian High School. Tom was married to Lela in 1949 and their two children, Thomas Evans Yenowine II and Deborah Louise Yenowine were born in 1950 and 1951 respectively. Tom has always been a loving, dedicated and hard working family man.
Tom's love of automobiles went from building Hot Rods in his father's, and later his own, garage to working for the Ford Motor Company Algonquin Parkway Plant and then the Fern Valley plant. There Tom moved from the assembly line to Quality Control. His abilities and precision led to Ford paying for his attendance to Speed Engineering School at the University of Louisville. In 1969, with the opening of the new Kentucky Truck Plant Tom moved upward again to the Dealer Special Order department where he spec wrote the alterations needed (screw, bolt, washer and bracket), or replaced, for any special order truck production. Tom retired from Ford in 1981.
The love of his life and constant traveling companion, his wife Lela, passed in 1984.
Tom's love of automobiles was not confined to assembly but also collecting, being a long time and prolific member of the Kyana Car Club, Antique Car Club of America. Especially travel, as he planned elaborate vacations driving to visit National Parks and/or antiquity sites in all 50 states (He rented a car in Hawaii) and countries from Canada to Honduras. Tom's travel interest was coupled with his infatuation with gems and minerals. Again his natural talent for designing and casting silver and gold, as well as faceting precious gem stones, inspired him to create TomLee Enterprises jewelry business. Tom's involvement in historical sites led to him becoming an assistant curator at the old Louisville Natural History and Science Museum at 5th and York Street in preparation for its transfer to the NEW Natural History Museum on Main Street.
In his retirement years his love of family superseded all as he joyfully watched his two Grand kids and three Great Grand kids grow. Formerly a member of Briargate Presbyterian Church, Tom currently belonged to DeHaven Baptist Church in La Grange. Tom has been a favorite resident of The Oaks, also in La Grange, for the last 10 years.
Tom's loss will be mourned by many especially his loving family; son, Thomas E. Yenowine II, granddaughter Jacqueline (Yenowine) Espin, grandson-in-law Mark Espin, grandson, Thomas M.P. Yenowine and great grand children, David Palmer Espin, Parker James Espin and Story Jane Espin. Sister-in-law Lula (Hughes) Shields and well over a dozen nieces, nephews-in-law, one nephew, great nieces and great nephews plus their spouses and children.

Memorials or condolences should be sent to either Kosair or St. Jude Charities.