Thomas H. Jeffords, 93, passed away at home on July 24, 2021. He was born in Florence, South Carolina and was a resident of Newport News for 41 years. Thomas retired from the U.S. Air Force as a nuclear weapons specialist after 27 years and received multiple Good Conduct Medals, the Outstanding Unit Medal, and Small Arms Marksmanship Medal while serving. He also was in the U.S. Navy and received the WWII Victory Medal, Philippines Independence Medal, OCM (Japan) Occupational Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. While in the U.S. Army National Guard he received a Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Award and Good Conduct Medal.

Thomas graduated from Clemson University with a degree in Animal Science and was a lifetime member of the Alumni Association. He was also a member of the National Rifle Association, the National Republican Committee and the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association.

Thomas was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Mercedes Jeffords. He is survived by daughters, Jane Olsson (Par) of Gloucester, VA, Elizabeth Kolb (Brad) of Oneida, WI, Martha Elliott of Knightdale, NC, and Linda Jeffords-Knight of Chesterfield, VA; grandchildren, Anita Castley-Eggleston, Kristina Burgin, Andrew Rose, and Sarah Elliott; and numerous great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 1, 2021 at Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., in Newport News. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 2, at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, in Suffolk.