Thomas H. Pelphrey, Jr.

Thomas H. Pelphrey, Jr., age 79, of Fairborn, passed away August 29, 2024. Thomas was born in Dayton, Ohio on August 28, 1945 to the late Cleo (Brooks) and Thomas Pelphrey Sr.

Thomas is preceded in death by his parents; father, Glen Brooks; brother, Gene Brooks, James "Jim" Brooks, Jerry Brooks, Larry Brooks; sister, Cynthia "Cyndie" McCue and his son-in-law, Timothy "Tim" Stratton. 

He is survived by wife of 35 years, Carolyn Pelphrey; children, Theresa (LaMar) Wallace, Nina Stratton, Tonda (Tim) Boyd, David Matney, Glenda (Richard) Brakeall and Rita (Roni) Molitor; sister, Wanda Lewis; 13 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild; as well as many nieces, nephews, sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, family members and friends. 

He served in the United States Marine Corp and the United States Air Force. Thomas served our country in Vietnam, touring twice. Thomas retired from General Motors with 30 years of service as a Machine Repairman. Thomas and his wife enjoyed some time living in Florida, where they worked on a golf course together and created many family memories.

He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and VFW. In his free time, he enjoyed spending time with all of his family, golfing, fishing, bowling, gambling, trips to Canada, watching Westerns and Andy Griffith, drinking coffee, reading and traveling with Carolyn. Thomas was a family certified genius and excelled at Jeopardy. 

Thomas had a true gift for fixing anything and everything. He was always there for his family and anyone who needed help. Thomas was a great husband, father and grandfather and all were his favorites.

He was there for all of the big things but more importantly, all of the small things too. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Thomas' memory to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105), Shriners Children's (Attn: Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive Tampa, FL 33607), AMVETS (960 Checkrein Ave, Columbus, OH 43229), St. Vincent de Paul (960 Checkrein Ave, Columbus, OH 43229) or to Cancer Research (Director, National Cancer Institute, Building 31 Room 11A-16, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892) charities. 

Visitation will be held from 5:00pm-7:00pm on Tuesday, September 17th, 2024 at Newcomer Funeral Home (3380 Dayton-Xenia Rd., Beavercreek). A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am on September 18th, 2024 at St. Brigid Catholic Church (312 Fairground Rd., Xenia).

Burial will follow at Dayton National Cemetery at 1:00pm.

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