Thomas Jeffrey Stapleton, 55, of Waco, Texas passed away Sunday, November 25th at Providence Hospital in Waco. Tommy Stapleton was born October 4, 1957 in Demorest, GA to James and Lorene (Stribling) Stapleton. Tommy was a Mechanical Engineering graduate from Southern Technological Institute, Atlanta, GA. Most recently, Tommy served as Senior Principal Program Engineer for L3 Communications. Over his extensive career, Tommy built a professional record of vast experience and knowledge in aircraft engineering; and was well respected throughout the industry he passionately served. He was preceded in death by his mother, Laura Lorene (Stribling) Stapleton; his father, James Alford Stapleton; and his stepmother, Beulah Pitts (Cunningham) Stapleton. Survivors include his daughter, Lauren Elizabeth Stapleton of Lewisport, KY; brother, James Stapleton, Jr. and wife Janis of Cornelia; sister, Susie Underwood and husband Stan of Cornelia; stepsister, Cary Cunningham Perry and husband, Greg of Bogart; stepbrother, Tommy Cunningham and wife, Cindy of Cornelia, and a close family of nieces, nephews, and cousins throughout the country. Memorial services will be held at 11 am on Saturday, December 08, 2012 at the Chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart with Dr. Eric Spivey officiating. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 10 am until the service hour at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home (706-778-8668) of Cornelia is in charge of arrangements.