In loving memory of Thomas Parker McCurdy, May 10, 1932 to April 27, 2023.

Tom was a retired United States Air Force Lt. Colonel. He was a member of the Air Force Special forces First Air Commandos Tactical Air Command and he flew Douglas B26's in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. Tom retired from active duty in 1965 and was in the military service for 22 years. He then hired on with United Airlines and flew many different aircrafts; 727, 737, 757, and the 747 until he retired as a United Airlines Captain.

Tom started his professional career by attending Penn State to play football following in his father's footsteps and then enlisted in the Air force. While in the service he attended Oklahoma University and received a B.S degree in Mechanical Engineering. One of his senior projects was to design a glass air conditioning unit, which may still be on display in the Oklahoma University Engineering department.

Tom was a loving and devoted husband for 64+ years to Jane Ferguson McCurdy, from Pennsylvania. Tom and Jane met at an Air force dance in Avalon, PA and they were married on September 10, 1955. They honeymooned on their way driving across country to Tom's first military base assignment in AZ. Jane was always "his bride" and he was by her side until she passed away in October 25, 2020.

Tom and Jane were always very proud of their family. "Number one son " Mark McCurdy (Annette) a retired Accountant residing in Grapevine Texas; Daughter "The Monk" Sandra McCurdy-Minor (Rob Minor), a retired registered nurse in Missoula Montana; and "The Doobs" Douglas McCurdy, (Peggy) a General Motors Engineer.

Tom was also a loving grandfather to five grandchildren: Ryan Straw, practicing Lawyer in Rockford Illinois:; Brandon Straw, Montana Home Builder, retired Police Officer and EOD technician; Jessica McCurdy, newly graduated from Michigan State University with a BS in Animal Science; Olivia McCurdy, presently studying Mechanical Engineering at Michigan State University; and Connor McCurdy presently a Freshman at Davison High School in Davison Michigan.

Tom would light up with a big smile with any pictures or phone calls from his great grandchildren Cash and Stevie Straw (Brandon and Anna); and the most recent addition to the family, Audrey Straw (Ryan and Mel Kautenberger).

His family grew to include step-granddaughters: Stacy and Kelly (Mark) and Sarah and LIza (Sandy)

Tom looked forward to daily calls from his devoted and loving brother and lifetime best friend Jim McCurdy and sister in law Sharon. He cherished his nieces Kristen, Marcie and Kelly (Jim and Sharon) and Barb (Dee and Dave Young). Also Tom's cousin Mike McCurdy was someone very special for Tom's entire life.

Tom had a love and a desire to travel to space. He was a final candidate for an astronaut slot but unfortunately it was not in the cards. But it is a great story for the grandkids and a life lesson to "reach for the moon" and strive to be your very best at whatever you do.

Tom loved to learn and made it a point to learn his entire life. He would frequently work on calculus problems "just for fun" and built a computer from scratch. He was always working on different projects in his life and his projects were built to last, laughingly to the point they would be standing well beyond any of the surrounding structures. Tom's grandchildren's memories of his projects included "Grandpas tree house"(which had two rooms and a stairway entrance), the Bridge, multiple decks, and the Hunter road house. In his later years he especially enjoyed watching Great Courses tapes with his dear friend Ann "getting educated", as they would say, on a wide variety of topics.

Tom and Jane would want us to mention there "buddies"; Banner and Rambo (BIG Rottweilers). These dogs were more than just pets; they were members of the family.

Tom loved his Alexian Village family and was happy to do whatever he could for his Alexian friends. His dear friend Jean Baltrap describes Tom as one who "personifies kindness". His life was made happy because of his good friends: Ann, Betsy, Mabry, the coffee group and his lunch table fiends.

A special note of thanks and affection to Dad's care givers Amber and Amelia. Amber was his rock and Harry Potter buddy. He loved her like a granddaughter.

We appreciate and cherish all the time we had with our father, and we are very thankful for all the years and wisdom he has shared with us. I am certain if he was here he would say, it was time to "head 'em up, an' move 'em out. "

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers can be made to your favorite charity. Tom's favorites included, Make a Wish Foundation; Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Autism Speaks Foundation and the Alexian Village Employee Scholarship Fund.

Arrangements entrusted to Hamilton Funeral Home and Cremation Service 4506 Hixson Pike Hixson, TN 37343. 423-531-3975.