Thomas "Tom" Allen Surratt

Mr. Thomas “Tom” Allen Surratt, 94, of Winston-Salem, NC, passed away on Saturday, October 1, 2016 at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. Tom was born on November 30, 1921, in Winston-Salem to Walter and Flaudia Surratt. He graduated from Reynolds High School in 1939. Tom played minor league baseball in 1942 and 1943 with the Charlotte Hornets and the Chattanooga Lookouts before entering the U.S. Army during World War II. He served in the 100th Infantry Division during campaigns in France and Germany including the Battle of the Bulge. After an honorable discharge from the Army, he joined the Winston-Salem Police Department in 1946 and began a career in law enforcement that lasted 33 years. He retired in 1979 after rising through the ranks from patrolman to Chief of Police. During his tenure, Tom served as president of the NC Chief of Police Association. After retirement, he taught criminology at Guilford Technical Community College. Tom was a long-time member of Konnoak Baptist Church, serving as a deacon and Sunday school teacher for many years until his health limited his activities. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Mary Southern Surratt; one brother, William Surratt; and one sister, Margaret Dixon. Mr. Surratt is survived by four children, Joel Surratt (Pam), Michael Surratt (Pacita), Susan Surratt and Jane Surratt; five grandchildren, Mary Surratt, Brian Surratt (Amy Pugh), Laura Roche (Christopher), Catherine Cleghorn (Lance), and Thomas Surratt (Christy Riley); four great-grandchildren, Isabella Surratt, Mikayla Cleghorn, Dalila Cleghorn, and Lucas Roche; loving caregiver, Renee Plott (Greg and Dalton); and numerous other loving relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 8, 2016, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel with Rev. John Bishop officiating. Interment will follow at Parklawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Friday, October 7, 2016, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.