Thomas Hutton Eller, Jr. was born on July 12, 1941 in Bristol, Tennessee to Thomas Hutton Eller, Sr. and Gladys Louise Eller. He graduated from Camden Military Academy in 1962 and The Citadel in 1966 where he was a member of Lima Company. Tom was introduced to Lorna Elizabeth Vicendese by his Citadel roommate Skip Flint. They were married in the Church of the Little Flower in Berkley Heights, NJ, (Lorna’s home town) on June 5, 1966.
Tom joined the Army after graduation from the Citadel. He was deployed to Vietnam in 1967 with the 101stAirborne Division. His first son Tommy was born on December 11, 1967 while he was deployed. During his combat and military tour of duty he received a National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Silver Star, Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device 60, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2d Awd), Meritorious Service Medal (2d Awd), Air Medal (3d Awd), Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Silver Star, Joint Services Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, Air Medal with “V” Device, Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device, Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon.
After returning to the states, Tom was an assistant professor of Military Science at Ole Miss where his second son Scott was born on May 5, 1970. Tom received a Masters of Education Degree from Tulane University so that he could be a tactical officer at West Point where he was stationed from 1976 through 1978. He was stationed in Heidelberg, West Germany where he enjoyed Volks Marches and discovering his family history from Bavaria. Tom was later appointed the Head of the Military Science Department at Bucknell University. Tom returned to South Carolina as the Regular Army Advisor to the South Carolina National Guard. After he retired from the Army, he took a position as the Commandant of Cadets at Camden Military Academy.
Tom and Lorna bought an RV in their retirement and toured the country visiting friends and family, especially his son Scott in Bozeman, MT. Tom was admitted to the emergency room on August 26, 2024 with chest pains. He would later die of heart complications on September 10, 2024. He was a loving father and husband and will be missed greatly by his family and friends.