Thomas Frederick Seebode

Col. Thomas F. Seebode HOPKINS - Col. Thomas Frederick Seebode (US Air Force ret), 77, of Hopkins entered into rest, Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at his home. Born November 7, 1937 in Memphis, TN, he was the son of the late Verney and Kathleen (Wiggins) Seebode. Col. Seebode was a graduate of Messick High School, Memphis Tennessee. A member of Lebanon United Methodist Church, Eastover, Col. Seebode taught the Fidelis Sunday School Class for many years and served on several committees. A 1960 graduate of US Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO, Col. Seebode served 26 years in the US Air Force as an officer and pilot. He served as a Forward Air Controller during the Vietnam War, earning numerous military honors including, the Silver Star for gallantry in battle, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with one device, as well as the Bronze Star. During his distinguished career, Col. Seebode flew the T-33, T-37, O-1, C-141, C-5 and C-135 airframes, all while traveling the globe visiting all seven continents. Among his assignments; he evacuated Americans from Iran, provided airlift in Jonestown, Africa, participated in the Bay of Pigs, served in a joint position with the Army while stationed in Korea and was a Professor of Aerospace Studies at the Virginia Military Institute. Retiring from the Air Force in July of 1986, he earned his doctorate in Public Administration from the University of Alabama and then taught in the Master's program at Troy University in Sumter, SC. He enjoyed mentoring youth in educational opportunities, while pursuing his hobbies of recreational flying, traveling, fly fishing and tying flies. As proud as he was of his career, Col. Seebode was even more proud of his family. He was married for more than 55 years to his childhood sweetheart, Carole (Gifford) Seebode. He was a devoted and loving father to his daughters, Elizabeth S. Waldrop (fianc‚, Andy Colucci) and Jennifer S. Day (Rick); four grandchildren, Taylor and Sarah Waldrop and Rebecca and Alex Day; two sisters, Kay Robinson, of Atlanta, and Gail Evans (John), of Nashville; sister-in-law, Melissa Hallstrom; as well as four nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 5:00 P.M., at Lebanon United Methodist Church, 10220 Garners Ferry Road, Eastover, SC 29044. The family will receive friends following the service in the Fellowship Hall at church. Inurnment will be held at a later date at the US Air Force Academy Cemetery, with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be sent to either the USAFA Endowment, 3116 Academy Drive Suite 200, USAF Academy, CO 80840-4475, or to the Building Fund at church. You may view this obituary at www.thompsonsfuneral.com. Family and friends may sign the online guest book at www.thompsonsfuneral.com.