Thomas Jackson Thorne, husband of the late June Dandridge Thorne, died Tuesday, December 16, 2014 in Charleston, SC. He was a resident of the Bishop Gadsden Retirement Community. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2014 at the Bishop Gadsden Chapel at 2:00 p.m. A reception will follow to receive friends. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC. DOWNTOWN CHAPEL. Born July 17, 1918, in Savannah, Georgia, his family moved to Charleston in 1926 and later purchased Woodstock Manufacturing Company, one of the area’s largest employers. He attended the public schools of Charleston and graduated from The Citadel in 1939 earning a BS Civil Engineering. He was also a graduate of the US Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA. After serving his country in World War II in the European Theatre, he returned home to assist with the family-owned business. Fortunately, he was able to continue his love of military service in the US Army Reserve from which he retired at the rank of Major General in 1974 as Commander of the 120th US Army Reserve Command, Ft. Jackson, SC, receiving the Distinguished Service Medal award as well as the state of South Carolina’s Order of the Palmetto. His service to the Charleston community was significant, with leadership roles in the Charleston County Board of Assessment Control, Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, Charleston Development Board, Charleston Manufacturers’ Club, Charleston County Board of Ethics, Coastal Carolina Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Trident United Way, American Red Cross, Kiwanis Club, Rotary Clubs of Charleston and North Charleston, and Grace Episcopal Church. He was the longest serving member of the Country Club of Charleston. Tommy excelled at golf and won the title of City of Charleston’s Golf Champion in both 1952 and 1956. Surviving are his daughters Lynda Thorne Harrill and her husband, Roy, of Charlottesville, VA, and Margaret Thorne Seidler and her husband, Bob, of Charleston, SC. He was preceded in death by his sister, Anne Thorne Schachte, and his brother, George P. Thorne, both of Charleston. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: The Citadel Foundation, 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC 29409; or Gazes Cardiac Research, c/o MUSC Foundation, MSC 450, 18 Bee St, Charleston, SC 29425. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston
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