MAX H. TOMEY
June 18, 1920-Feb. 25, 2007
SMITHFIELD--Max Howry Tomey, 86, passed away Sunday, February 25, 2007 at the Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro after a courageous battle with cancer.
Max was born June 18, 1920 in Lancaster, Schuyler County, Mo., the third child of Paul Austin and Minnie Estella Whitacre Tomey.
During his adolescent years he attended schools in Missouri and Iowa, graduating from Ottumwa High School in Ottumwa, Iowa. Following high school he attended tech school in Ottumwa and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy. His Navy career found him serving in various areas; his most cherished time serving upon the USS North Carolina, now docked in Wilmington, N.C. During this time he was joined in marriage to Arlene Lingle of Ottumwa. The couple had one son, Michael Eugene Tomey who now resides in Ottumwa. The couple later divorced.
Upon completing three years with the Navy, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. This enlistment would become 23 total years of military service and dedication to the country that he loved so much.
In 1949, while stationed in California, he met and fell in love with Thelma Laverne Hall Thompson and her two sons from a previous marriage, William Bill Thomas Thompson Jr. and Darryl Renee Thompson. Soon after their marriage in Reno, Nev., they were transferred to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, where their first daughter, Paula Annette Allen, was born. Four years later, while stationed at Chanute AFB in Rantoul, Ill., they were blessed with another daughter, Lisa Joy Davis. In 1957, the family relocated overseas to Wiesbaden Germany where they welcomed another son, Max Allen. In 1959, after the family was transferred to Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, another son, Jeffrey Keith was born.
Following Thelma's death in 1988, Max moved to Goldsboro where he met and married Clara Daughtry Best of Smithfield, N.C..
On October 2, 2005, at 85, he was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Smithfield. He had a deep love for the Savior and was an instrument in His hands as he humbly went about doing good where he saw the need, building many wonderful gifts of love from his workshop.
Max's favorite pastime or as we affectionately call him, "Dad", was to share with all who visited of his many military experiences. But, the most important thing to him was his family. He never ceased to talk fondly about his family.
Max was preceded in death by his second wife, Thelma Hall Tomey; two sons, Max and Jeffrey Tomey; his parents; one sister, Pauline and Ed Scott; four brothers, Jack and Roberta Tomey, Gene, Jeanne and Norma Tomey, Rex, Joyce and Helen Tomey and Bill and "Bobbie" Tomey;
Survivors include his wife, Clara; children, Michael Tomey of Ottumwa, William "Bill" and Gayle Thompson of Goldsboro, Darryl and Gen Thompson of Ft. Madison, Iowa, Paula Allen of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Lisa and Tony Davis of Council Bluffs, stepson, Steve and Janie Best of Smithfield and step-daughter-in-law, Wincer "Pete" and Howard Best of Smithfield; 10 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren plus many nieces and nephews who remember him fondly as "Uncle Max".
Memorial services will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 303 Canterbury Road in Smithfield, followed by a graveside service prior to the burial of the cremains in Keokuk National Cemetery, Keokuk, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Kitty Askins Hospice Center, Director of Community Development, - 3HC -, 2402 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro, N.C. 27534.
Seymour Funeral Home in Goldsboro is in charge of the final arrangements. There will be no viewing or family visitation. Condolences for the family may be sent to Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Inc. 1300 Wayne Memorial Drive Goldsboro, N.C. 27534 or seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Written & Paid by the Family)
Published in Obituaries on February 26, 2007 1:46 PM