Thomas Gaither

GAITHER
Colonel Thomas Dewitt Gaither, referred to by those who loved him most as "The Colonel", passed away on July 5, 2013, after a short but intense battle with cancer. Tom, a fiercely Southern man, grew up in a small town in Tennessee and made his way through college on a National Defense Loan to get his shot at being a soldier. Commissioned as a Field Artillery officer, he wore the Ranger Tab, Master Parachutist's Wings and the Air Assault Badge. He served two combat tours in Vietnam Nam, one in command of an Artillery Battery.
The Colonel had two passions: The U.S. Army and golf. He was lucky enough to pursue both professionally, first as a career Army soldier and then as a PGA Tournament Director. His golf driver has a bald eagle head cover. It sits in his shop, The Colonel's 19th Hole, even today. The Colonel was a colorful, full-of-life, magnetic man who left both the Army and the community a better place than he found them. It was often said that if you wanted to find Tom Gaither, you should look for him UPstream. He saw the world very black and white, and yet lived every day full of color. As a small note, if any prior or current military take advantage of the SAMMC Satellite Pharmacy, you have Colonel Tom Gaither to thank. It was his recommendation to create it, as he detested trying to find parking at the main hospital to get his prescriptions. And in traditional form, he created his own solution. His name is on the plaque on the wall right outside of the satellite building.
The Colonel was a straight arrow. He didn't sugarcoat anything and he told you the truth every time, whether you wanted to hear it or not. He was famous for lifting his left eyebrow with a sarcastic grin on his face as his answer to most any question, implying you already knew the answer before you asked him. His affinity for helping others, and strangers he'd meet, is legendary. His wife, Joan, claimed that Tom made a deal with the devil himself to ensure his first grandson, and they shared the same birthday: September 3rd. That grandson was born on Tom's 60th birthday. A man who detested funerals and large displays of flowers, he often said that if he could get out of going to his own funeral, he would. And that large flower arrangements are reminiscent of those reserved for horse race winners.
The Colonel, a man of strong conviction, was committed to tradition and custom. Gig lines, shined shoes, good manners and a proper hand salute were a matter of habit. And required. So there is no doubt that Saint Peter is getting an earful on gate protocol at the Front Gates of Heaven as we speak. Rest assured, those of us who follow The Colonel will get a proper hand salute as we greet our own final duty station. As they say. Rangers Lead the Way!
The Colonel is survived by his devoted wife of almost 51 years, Joan R. Gaither, who will miss him every day for the rest of her life; his namesake son, Thomas Dewitt Gaither, Jr., and his daughter, Suzanne Babette Gaither Maxwell. He also leaves behind a brother, Judge Harold C. Gaither, Jr., and a sister, Vicki Gaither Crawford; a daughter-in-law, Stephanie Skillen Gaither, and a son-in-law, LCDR David E. Maxwell; a granddaughter, Mary Elisabeth Gaither, and his three "grand buddies," David Thomas Maxwell, Dewitt Edward Maxwell and William Piper Maxwell. He also leaves behind scores of military members who will be forever changed by some small or grand thing he did to change their lives, the people who benefited from his kindness and generosity, as well as people who may never know his name. His impact on those he met will be forever felt. To those he was closest to, he is irreplaceable.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Tom's favorite charity: Preservation Fort Sam Houston, PO Box 340308, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234. Graveside services will be held with full military honors and a military caisson on July 26, 2013, at 9:30 AM at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. A reception immediately following will be held at The Historic Stillwell House at Fort Sam Houston.