Thomas Tingley: Obituary

Thomas Tingley

July 5, 1937 – May 18, 2019

Thomas David Tingley, 81, of Mineral Bluff, Georgia, passed away on May 18, 2019, surrounded by family and friends.

He was born to parents Walter and Ada Tingley, on July 5, 1937, in Seminole, Oklahoma. He attended New London High School in Texas and later enlisted with the United States Air Force. Tom was a veteran of the Vietnam War, where he served as a Security Policeman on two tours of duty, one at Phù Cát and one at Da Nang. Family and friends can attest to the fact that the sense of patriotism instilled in him from over 20 years spent in the military serving his country never left him.

He is survived by his wife Betty of 31 years, whom he married on New Year’s Day, 1988. Tom also leaves behind his children, Deborah Tingley, Richard Tingley and wife Azucena, Kohnie (Tingley) Stickley and husband Neil, Ray Norman and wife Sandy, Robert Norman and wife Holly, as well as grandchildren Daryl, Rachel, Scot, Lauren, Tyler, Conner, Christian, Ashley, and Teala, eleven great-grandchildren, and sister Carla Traverner. Tom was predeceased by parents Walter and Ada Tingley, siblings Ray, Bill, Robert, and Noah, and children Cindy Bradley and Nancy Bullard.

Since boyhood, Tom always had a soft spot for animals. Throughout his life, he had dogs as pets who he loved like children and spoiled. He would be moved to tears watching an animal movie or hearing about an animal being mistreated. It was very important to him to do his part, no matter how small. So, whenever he was able, he would donate to organizations that protect the welfare of animals.

Both family visitation and the funeral service will be held at the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, GA. Family visitation will be on Monday, May 27, 2019, from 6-8 p.m., and the funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, at 2 p.m. A military interment will take place on May 29, 2019, at 11:30 a.m. at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that “in memory/honor of” donations be made to the following charities that Tom was passionate about:

The Wounded Warrior Project (WWF) strives to give independence back to our nation’s “most severely wounded veterans”.

www.woundedwarriorproject.org

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) seeks to protect the well-being of all animals.

www.aspca.org