Commander Thomas J. Elliott, USN (Ret)

Thomas John Elliott, Sr. (Tom), 88, of Hendersonville, passed away, Monday, August 20, 2012, in the presence of his family into the loving arms of our Lord.

Tom was born on December 28, 1923 in Newburg, N.Y., to the late Henry John Elliott and Elizabeth Tosne McGee Elliott.

He began his naval career immediately following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor with Fighter Squadron 174 out of Barbers Point, Hawaii. There he met and married Margaret Greig Elliott from Hastings N.Y., December 23, 1947. Over the next 28 years, he served in a variety of naval aviation and communications assignments both afloat and ashore in California, Florida, Rhode Island, Trinidad, Virginia and Washington, D.C., After retirement from active duty, Tom worked in the commercial satellite market in the Washington, D.C., area for 12 years. In 1982, they moved to Hendersonville where for 25 years Tom served as president and administrator of the Oscar C. Rixson Foundation. In addition, he led a Bible study class at the First Baptist Church, served as an IRS volunteer tax preparer and the Carolina Village photographer.

From his first marriage he is survived by his two sons, Tom and Bill, and their families.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy Smith, her daughter, Rhonda and her son, Tommy and his family.

A memorial service in celebration of his life will take place at 2:00 PM on Thursday, August 23, 2012 at Carolina Village with Reverend John Rymer and Reverend Wally Shamburger officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Oscar C. Rixson Foundation, PO Box 19255, Asheville, NC 28815.

A register book is available online for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.