Thomas Wade Whittington, 58, entered into rest, peacefully at home on Friday, March 17, 2023,
surrounded by loved ones after a lengthy illness.
A “Firefighter’s Last Call” will be held at Worth County Fire Rescue located at 203 E.
Willingham Street in Sylvester on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 10 AM. During his celebration of life,
family and friends are encouraged to share a “Tom’s True Story”.
Tom was born on June 3, 1964 on a naval base in Millington, TN to Sue Carolyn Hall and Cecil
Whittington. A child of a career Naval petty officer, Tom spent most of his early years living along the
east coast (maybe that explains the toe ring and blonde hair tips). Most summers were spent visiting
family in South Georgia where his parents planned to live after retirement.
Tom was a graduate of Worth County High School, class of ’82. He began his career as a maintenance
supervisor with McDonald’s where he met his life-long love under the Golden Arches. Rhonda always
joked he enjoyed seeing her in that polyester striped uniform skirt better than any Happy Meal. They
married in 1986 and began building a life together.
Following his days at McDonald’s, he worked at Master Craft Engineering as a metal fabricator. He
excelled at designing and fabricating but his “real” friends would tell you his weld was strong and
functional but definitely not straight or pretty.
While he enjoyed this line of work, Tommy found his God-given calling when he began volunteering with
Worth County Fire Rescue. He was eventually hired as a full-time firefighter during a time when a single
person was assigned to a station. Tom’s career grew and evolved alongside the department. He was
promoted to Battalion Chief and served as EMA Director until cancer forced him to retire after 23 years.
Tom enjoyed working with his hands. He was a carpenter and was always working on a project (though
not sure how many he actually finished). He loved to draw and loved to paint. He enjoyed playing golf
and fishing. He wasn’t too bad at golf, but sucked at fishing. He just loved having fun and making
memories.
Tom loved life. He helped others find the best version of themselves. He was a devoted friend and if you
knew him, you knew when a “Tom’s True Story” was coming. There was never a dull moment with him
around. He loved to laugh and make others laugh, most often at his own expense. If you invited him, he
came. Being present was important to him. He wanted those he loved to know they were loved.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents.
He leaves behind his wife of 37 years, Rhonda (Bevel) Whittington; son, Matthew; grandchildren, Tanner
and Kyleigh Sue; sister, Debi (John) Faulkner of Mount Joy, PA; parents-in-law and caretakers, Mickey
and Deloris Bevel, brother-in-law Michael Bevel, sister-in-law Brenda (Johnny) Griffin and a host of
nieces and nephews.
Tom loved his furry friends and in lieu of flowers, his wishes were to request donations be made to the
Best Friends Humane Society of Worth County.