Thomas Worley Booth

Thomas Worley Booth, age 89, passed away peacefully at Tanbark Healthcare Facility in Lexington, Kentucky on November 2, 2012. He was born on October 7, 1923 in Saltville, VA to James Jonas and Edna C. Booth.

Tom attended school in Saltville and graduated from Saltville High School where he played baseball, basketball and won the state championship in tennis. He then enrolled at Virginia Tech and like so many of his generation, his college education was interrupted by World War II. Tom enlisted in the army just after Pearl Harbor was bombed, and because of his military training at Virginia Tech, went immediately to Officers' Candidate School where he graduated first in his class. He was assigned to the Corps of Engineers at Fort Belvoir, Virginia where he spent all five years of his service. After being honorably discharged, Tom went back to Virginia Tech where he eventually earned his master's degree in chemical engineering. While in school, he met Hazel Sweet at a dance at the Martha Washington Inn in Abingdon, VA. They were married on September 16th, 1947.

After earning his master's, Tom went to work in 1949 as a chemical engineer in the Acid Division at Tennessee Eastman Company. In 1951, Tom was transferred to Longview, Texas to help start Texas Eastman. He was later transferred back to T.E.C. in Kingsport in 1956. Tom was subsequently promoted to Chief Chemical Engineer, and although he went on to have many different responsibilities and titles through the years, he always said he enjoyed that particular part of his career the most. Tom retired in 1985. He and Hazel spent a great deal of time traveling with grandchildren and going to the beach.

Tom was a member of the Kiwanis Club in Kingsport for many years, and served as chairman of the Library Board, as well. He was a proud member of First Broad Street United Methodist Church where he served on many committees as well as the Board over the years.

Those that knew Tom knew that he dearly loved his family, but they also knew that the Virginia Tech Hokies weren't far behind. He loved his school. He was a Golden Hokie and served on the Athletic Board at Virginia Tech and afterwards on the Committee of 100. As enthusiastic as he was supporting their athletic teams, he supported their College of Engineering with just as much enthusiasm. He was on the board of their engineering school for many years as well as many other schools throughout the South. He devoted a great deal of his time and energies toward helping the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech maintain their high standards. After retirement, Tom was an Adjunct Professor in the Chemical Engineering Department at Virginia Tech.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel, and a daughter in law, Rhonda.

He is survived by sons Tommy Vicki of Lexington, KY and Chris of Richmond, VA. He is also survived by his grandchildren Kelly Booth and Matthew Booth, both of Lexington, KY. He is also survived by special step grandchildren, Kimberly Rob Blakeman and Royce Blevins of Lexington and Matt Catherine Blevins of Louisville, KY and a host of step great grandchildren that always made it a point to come and visit "Graddy".

Visitation will be at Hamlett Dobson Funeral Home in Kingsport from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Tuesday November 6th, 2012. Funeral Service will be at 1:30 p.m. at First Broad Street United Methodist Church following the visitation with Rev. Mickey Rainwater and Rev. J. Spurgeon McCartt officiating.

Burial will follow at Knollkreg Memorial Park in Abingdon, VA. Military honors will be presented by the American Legion Posts No. 3/265 and the Virginia National Guard.