Memorial Service Announced UPDATE

Obituary for Thomas L. Reiner

7/10/1965 – 5/31/2016

My beloved “Tommy Boy”.

It is impossible to accurately describe this incredible man with any quantity of words. You have to know him to appreciate all that he was to so many of us who loved him.

Tommy could regale us with stories of his wonderful childhood, and his school years as well as life events he shared with his loving parents, brothers and family friends.

He was a busy young man who began working at the age of 11 at the local hardware store near his home in Decatur. With him being so young he was required to request approval from the state office, which he received and so began his work life and the great experiences that followed.

Tommy found the profession he loved when he joined the DeKalb County Police Department in November 1987 where he was employed until his retirement in May 2015………and he never took a sick day.

This was typical Tommy………. when you have a job to do, do it to the best of your ability, don’t let others down, show up for work, show up on time, show up with all appropriate equipment and look professional.

During his career he moved and promoted through various positions within the department and retired as a Lieutenant while assigned to the Tucker Precinct. He joined DeKalb’s Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) early in his career and became a “Lifetime Member”.

Tommy served as the Past President for 9 years, currently resided on the FOP board, managed the FOP Fundraising office and participated for 25 years with DeKalb FOP’s Santa Cop program which paired police officers from multiple jurisdictions in DeKalb County with needy children for a special day of Christmas shopping and community involvement.

He served as the current president of the William E. Peacock Jr. Charitable Foundation. The most recent project that Tommy poured his soul and time into was the creation of “My Brother’s House”. “My Brother’s House” provides temporary housing for families of law enforcement officers, who are seriously ill/injured, and need access to the Atlanta area for specialty medical care/facilities.

Since his retirement last year, he continued his involvement with the FOP, maintained communication with his police family and hoped to be able to spend more time with his family and friends. He loved being involved with real estate ventures and had begun to spend more time on this hobby.

Most importantly, he loved God, his family, friends and his animal babies (Jake, Dolly, Lassie, Muppet, Nibbles, Trouble, Tina, Tigger, Tiger and Thomas), yes he had 10 babies, 5 dogs and 5 cats.

He wanted to live to the age of 100, at least. However, being the man that he was and anyone who spent time with him knew that he crammed more life into an hour than most can do in a day.

His level of energy and ability to talk endlessly could make your head spin and I think this began when he was very young. Tommy’s precious mother Carole told us last year that she considered having 6 children until Tommy was born. After returning home from his first day of school – he asked” Mom, how long do I have to do this?”. Do I need to say more? J.

His quick wit and sense of humor was part of his charm and his ability to constantly entertain and will be greatly missed. He loved to share his many life lessons he had learned from the special people in his life; and he shared them with others, for their benefit, and sometimes, whether they wanted to hear them or not J.

Tommy was preceded in death by his father Eugene Jacob Reiner, so loved and respected by Tommy, for his strength and love for his family. Survivors include his mother whom he loved dearly, Carole Reiner of Crofton BC, Canada, Tommy was happy if his mother was happy, his brother John Reiner and wife (Trudy) of Carlsbad, CA, brother Robert Reiner and wife (Shannon), their daughter McKenzie and her son Nolan of Canada. Tommy so loved and respected his brothers, loved his niece and was so proud of her, he carried her picture above the visor in his police unit for many years as if she was his own daughter. Tommy was looking forward to spending time with Nolan, but no worries, we all have lots of stories to pass on to him.

His wife Kellie Hughett and daughter (Katelyn Battles) and her husband (Jason) of New Port Richey, FL, father in law (Julian R. Spence), brother in law (Julian D. Spence) and wife (Katherine) and their son (Sam), sister in law (Debbie Sisk) and her children (Connor and Mariah), sister in law (Julie Blackburn) and husband (Todd) and their children (Abbey and Sophie), Bryan Clements, Rickey Hughett and Don Wrathell, best buddies and partners in crime and many more extended family members.

He loved us and we loved him so much, his loss is still unbelievable and so painful but we trust in God to give us strength and peace and we pray the same for those of you who are suffering.

Gary Carter of Canada, cousin of his mom Carole - a character and teacher that Tommy so loved and admired. The Menger’s of Decatur, Fred and Lib (Elizabeth), were like an extension of his parents after they moved to Canada, teaching him and loving him so much over the years. Clarence (Guy) Lane, providing Tommy with love and guidance. The Hickman, Wiggs, Spangenberg and Sheirling families, the Tucker Gang and so many more that loved our Tommy and his antics.

In honor of Tommy, his family and his public safety brethren we will have a Memorial Service on June 11, 2016 at 1200 Hours at Rehoboth Baptist Church, 2997 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker, GA 30084. We want this to be a cheerful and inspiring event. If you would like to speak at the service, please contact Jeff Wiggs @ 404-539-5429 or you may email him at president@dekalbfop.org.

Tommy believed in the good of the FOP for the officers and the community. Thrifty as he was, he certainly would not want anyone to buy flowers or spend your money on him. However, if you are not a member of the FOP he would encourage you to become a member and if you would like to donate to “My Brother’s House” please send your donation to the William E. Peacock Jr, Lodge #10, Attn: MBH, 1238 Ridge Ave, Stone Mountain, GA 30083.

Sincerely,

Kellie Hughett