Thomas 'Tom' Garry

Obituary Colonel Thomas P. Garry, US Army Reserve (Ret.) of Pine Knoll Shores, NC died peacefully in his home on Monday, April 25, 2016. He was the beloved husband of Judith Garry (McDonald) for 54 years. Born in Philadelphia, PA, he was the son of the late John and Marie (Kelly) Garry and brother of the late Edward Garry. In addition to his beloved wife, he is survived by his son, Thomas P. Garry, Jr., of Moorpark, CA and his daughters: Julia Benecke of Sellersville, PA; Noreen Hildebrand of Purcellville, VA and Nancy Tepsic of Castle Pines, CO as well as his brother, Stephen Garry of Willow Grove, PA and his sister, Marie Garry of Florida. His nine loving grandchildren Michael, Patrick, Sean, Ian, Anna, Timothy, Meghan, Sarah and Sophia and great granddaughter Kendall also survive him. He was a resident of Warminster and Buckingham, PA before moving to Pine Knoll Shores, NC in 2001. He received a B.S. from Pennsylvania State University, and M.S. from the University of Pennsylvania and was a student in the Doctorate of Science program at George Washington University. Colonel Garry entered active duty as a second lieutenant in 1961 at Fort Knox, KY and trained as an armor officer. As an outstanding armor officer he trained armor officers and soldiers at Fort Knox until 1964. He was then assigned to the 157th Separate Infantry Brigade in Willow Grove, PA and became the Battalion Adjutant of the 4/77 Tank Battalion. He had increasingly responsible positions in the Army Reserve including commanding the 358th Civil Affairs Brigade. Under his leadership a Capstone direct support relationship was successfully developed between the Army Reserve's 358th Civil Affairs Brigade and the US Navy's Commander in Chief Atlantic Fleet (CINCLANTFLEET). After an accomplished command of the 358th he was assigned to the 79th ARCOM as Assistant Chief of Staff, Director Operations and Intelligence (ACSDOI) and was subsequently made Assistant Chief of Staff Director of Operations and Training, (ACSDOT). During his service, Colonel Garry was awarded the Legion of Merit decoration for his exemplary service at very high levels of the Army Reserve and also earned two Meritorious Service Medals. He retired from the 79th ARCOM in Fort Meade, MD in 1991. As a result of his service he became a lifetime member of the Reserve Officers Association, Civil Affairs Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and the Department of Defense Regimental Civil Affairs Association. In civilian life, he retired from Rohm & Haas in 1996 after 33 years of management positions and also served as Chairman of the Rohm & Haas DelVal Credit Union. He was actively involved in his community and served as a member of the Washington Crossing Association Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors for Mountbatten Surety Company, which was listed on the NASDAQ exchange before being sold. For many years he was a re-enactor for the Christmas Day re-enactment of George Washington crossing the Delaware River. In his leisure time he enjoyed golfing with friends and family. Most of all, he enjoyed hosting his children and grandchildren for their summer vacations at his home in Pine Knoll Shores. He will be sadly missed as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 29, 2016 at St. Egbert Catholic Church at 11:00 AM, with Rev. Thomas R. Davis officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Washington Crossing Foundation (www.gwcf.org), 6934 N. Radcliffe St., Bristol, PA 19007 or the American Cancer Society, 2202 Wrightsville Avenue, Suite 111. Wilmington, NC 28403 Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 AM ,Friday, April 29, 2016 St. Egbert Catholic Church 1706 Evans Steet Morehead City, NC, Carteret 28557 Services You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Thomas 'Tom' Garry