Obituaries

Thomas Harold Jeffords

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.

4 Comments

  1. Matt and Kellea Hogan

    Dear Martha and family, we are so very sorry to hear this news. Sending our love and prayers. He was one of a kind and we are so thankful to have met him.

  2. joe murphree

    I did not know Thomas but met three daughters Monday, August 2nd after the graveyard service…Beth & Brad, Jane, and Linda. So much obvious love for their father tells me he was a fine man and one I wish I had known.

  3. Robert MacQueen

    I had the pleasure of serving with Tom at Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota 1969-70. I consider him a mentor and a friend. He will be missed by many if us who had the pleasure of serving with him.

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