DRIVER THOMAS PRESTON

LCD Thomas Preston Driver was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 06/17/2010 at the age of 75.4 from Cancer
Kingsville, TX
Date of Birth 01/08/1935
Served in the U.S. Navy
Served in Vietnam with HA(L)-3 in 67-68
Call sign in Vietnam SEAWOLF
This information was provided by Dan Arnes

More detail on this person: Thomas Preston Driver Died: 6/17/2010 DRIVER Thomas Preston Driver, 75, put up one heck of a fight. He passed away on June 17, 2010 from complications of cancer. He was born on January 8, 1935 to AC and Bess Driver in Augusta, GA. Growing up in a small Georgia town, Thom had a true 'Tom Sawyer' childhood. He spent many days roaming the town or playing in the coal pile with his dog Joe. He graduated from Jenkins County High School and attended Berry College and the University of Georgia before joining the Navy in 1956. Thom married Jimmie Rose in 1959 and what a marriage it has been. He never wanted Jimmie far from his side and she was always there for him. They have had years of enjoyment with their children: Thom Driver Jr., Andi, and Neal Kuyatt and their grandchildren, Kaitlin and Haley Kuyatt. He adored everyone in his family and they adored him. Thom is also survived by his siblings: Ace and Suzanne Driver of Amelia Island, FL, Gail and Walter Voyles of Waynesboro, GA, Barbara and Larry Graham of Pearland, TX, Jack and Sandra Rose of Driscoll, TX and numerous nieces and nephews whom he dearly loved. Thom was selected for the NAVCAD program where he received his flight training. He received his wings and commission in 1959. Thom was a Navy pilot for 23 years where he flew jets and helicopters. Thom was active during his career with military deployments such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War where he was highly decorated. He was a plank owner in the HAL 3 squadron, the Navy's first and only helicopter gunship squadron during the Vietnam War. After Vietnam, he was selected to attend the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterrey, CA where he received his undergraduate and graduate degrees. He retired in 1978 and loved every minute of his Naval career. During his career, they lived in Texas, Florida, New Jersey, Virginia, California, Alaska, and Georgia, where they made many lifelong friends. Being the brilliant, wonderful, loveable person he was, he was successful in everything he did. After retirement, he owned his own communications company until he began his second career as an educator. Thom taught secondary math before he joined the Education Service Center as a consultant. After leaving the ESC, Thom became instrumental in helping to establish a nationally recognized school based computer business program managed by high school students. Santa Gertrudis Academy High School, in Kingsville, TX was one of the first schools in the state to promote dual credit courses. Thom valued his work, but he loved life more! He enjoyed spending time with family and friends on the patio with a cold beverage, a good game of golf and a ride in his Jag with his 'Honey' by his side. You could always catch him with a good John Wayne flick or a game of football on his TV. It is impossible to express how much we will miss our husband, father, brother, uncle and friend. We also want to thank Dr. Howell, Dr. Nash and the staff of Bay Area Hospital and the Corpus Christi Cancer Center for their wonderful care and support. Visitation will be 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Monday, June 21, 2010 and the Funeral Service at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at the Kingsville Memorial Funeral Home, Kingsville, TX.

Burial information: Restland Memory Park, Bishop, TX

This information was last updated 10/20/2017

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024


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