Thomas PENDERGRAST

1920 - 2017

PENDERGRAST, Sr., Thomas Jefferson 1920 - 2017 Thomas "Tommy" Jefferson Pendergrast died on February 17th, 2017 at his home surrounded by his family. Tommy was born on August 17, 1920 in Decatur, Georgia, the only child of Willie Smith and Thomas Jefferson Pendergrast. His mother later married Sumter Kelly, who raised and guided him into two meaningful, lifelong pursuits: golf and the bond business. He attended E. Rivers Elementary School and graduated from North Fulton High School where he played all sports. He began playing golf at age twelve, often practicing at East Lake Golf Course. He attended the University of Georgia where he was a member of the Chi Phi fraternity. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1943 and attended Officers' Training School at Columbia University. Tommy was sent to England to prepare for the invasion of Normandy and on June 6, 1944, D-Day, his ship was struck by a mine, fracturing his back. He later received a purple heart. Tommy returned to Atlanta and started working in municipal bonds at Courts & Co. where he became a partner in 1957. Tommy was an avid reader of contemporary mysteries and history. He loved watching UGA football, playing golf and being with his family. He was known to be charming and funny and he retained his youthful good looks. Tommy was a life member of the Piedmont Driving Club and Peachtree Golf Club. He and Mimi were members of the Cathedral of St. Philip. Tommy is survived by his wife Mimi and daughter Nancy Duffey (Ryan); his 4 children Tommy (Barbara), Cary Sibley (Jack), Sumter (Janet), David (Lory) from his first wife, Dorothea (deceased); his 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank his devoted caregivers: Eric Daniel, Tim Burke, Dejon Williams and Jacqueline Dean. Aileen Holmes and Debra Ebron have also been a help and comfort to the family over many years. Ella, a Labradoodle, will miss sharing peanut butter crackers with Tommy. The funeral service will be held at The Cathedral of St. Philip on Tuesday, February 21 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of Georgia Foundation, Milledge Centre, Suite 100, 394 South Milledge Ave., Athens, GA 30602-5582 (http://give.uga.edu) or the Atlanta Humane Society, 981 Howell Mill Road, N.W., Atlanta, GA 30318 (atlantahumane.org).