TROY LEE MCQUEEN

Troy Lee McQueen, 76, of Columbus, Texas passed away on Jan. 15, 2024. He was born in Denison, Texas on Feb. 23, 1947 to Mamie Louise Boney and RV McQueen. He spent his early years in Bonham, Texas. Troy charted his own course, leaving high school to enter the Army at the age of 17. Troy was assigned to the Nike Hercules Missile Command, then transferred to Redmond, Washington in 1969. In 1970 he was transferred again, this time to Columbus, Texas where he raised his family.

Troy rose through the ranks and was promoted to Sergeant First Class. While he’d often speak about how much he enjoyed serving as a Non-Commissioned Officer, the Army knew Troy was capable of still more. He was commissioned as a Warrant Officer and quickly rose to the most senior rank a Warrant Officer can achieve, Chief Warrant Officer Five. Prior to his retirement in 2010, his experience and expertise was sought out by the most senior General Officers serving in both the Texas Army National Guard and U.S. Army. Troy served for 43 years.

Troy was also active in his church and community. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran for 44 years, serving on the Church Council for many terms. Troy was a member of the Columbus Volunteer Fire Department, the VFW, Lions Club, and also coached his sons in Little League.

Troy accomplished all that and more. But for those who knew him, he’ll be remembered not just for his remarkable career and community impact, but for his humor, charm, and boundless love.

Very few people walk into a room and instantly light it up, but Troy could and did. He never met a stranger. Troy would talk to anyone and everyone — whether they wanted it or not. He would grab a stranger’s baby as if it were his own. His endless stories should be bound, and though it’s unclear whether the resulting book would be fact or fiction, it would certainly be one heck of a read.

Without a doubt, the most important thing to Troy was his family. He loved his children and he never missed an opportunity to share how he felt. He was demonstrative with his affection and generous with his love. And when Troy was blessed with 8 grandchildren, going from Dad to “Popo,” he truly did his best work. Each grandchild has their favorite Popo story, most of them mildly inappropriate, all of them wonderful.

He made every person he knew feel special, important and loved.

Even as Troy battled Parkinson’s Disease, he never lost his sense of humor or his zest for life. He was comforted by a special group of caregivers who loved Troy as much as he loved them. Troy’s family will be forever grateful to Teresa Leppin, who watched over their father like her own. DaShae Collins, Angie Johnson, Mary Williams, Odessa Thomas, Barbara “BJ” Smith, Stephanie Shorter, & Jessica Ramirez cared for Troy with boundless grace and made his final days exactly what they needed to be.

The ones he loved most: his wife of 44 years, Aline McQueen; his children, Rick and Laure Restivo, Major General Anthony (Tony) and Molly Mc-Queen, Alan and Erika Restivo and Tanya and Tom Forman; his grandchildren, 1st LT Tanner McQueen, Cullen Wiese, Emma Restivo, Caden Wiese, Lily McQueen, Owen Forman, Thisbe Forman and Finn Restivo.

Visitation was held on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus, Texas.

Funeral service was Thursday, Jan. 18, 2023 at 2 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Frelsburg, Texas with Pastor Ivy Schulz officiating. Visitation at church was from 1 to 2 p.m. Burial with full military honors followed in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery.

Pallbearers were 1st LT Tanner McQueen, Cullen Wiese, Caden Wiese, Finn Restivo, Logan Daley and Trey Salinas.

Memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 245, New Ulm, TX 78950 or the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome.com.