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Thomas Middleton Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Middleton
Gary T. Shepherd
June 2, 2021
As one that stood convicted before him he showed compassion and mercy I thought of that many time through my life.
God bless the honorable Judge Middleton and his family.
Dickson Young
January 31, 2020
I appeared many times in front of Judge Middleton in criminal and civil cases. He was a kind and compassionate person who always tried to get it right. Gave people many chances to turn their lives around and enabled people to do it. Hope his spirit lives on in the FFX court house as we all could learn a lot from him
Lisa Patton
December 12, 2011
I heard today of the passing of the wisest Gentleman I ever had the pleasure of working for. During the six years we worked together someone once called the Judge and I "stuffed shirts"...little did they know that behind that stern face and all business exterior on the bench was a man who once in Chambers was full of humor and smiles and he was a true friend to me. I valued his advise and because of it he helped change the course of my life. I will miss our yearly exchange of Christmas cards and letters. Lisa Patton, Deputy Sheriff, FX CO. (ret) Judge Middleton's court bailiff
Sail away...
Lisa Patton
December 12, 2011
August 21, 2011
I just learned of the passing of Judge Middleton. He was a wonderful man and a true Virgina gentleman. He was a terrific Judge and a fair Judge who always gave the parties their day in court. He cared about our Court and always strived to make it better. He was a wonderful mentor for me and he taught me a lot of life's lessons. While working with him each day, I knew he was a special Judge and so many of us benefited from his wisdom. My thoughts and prayers go out to Kathleen and to the entire Middleton family. Dr. Mark Zaffarano
Judy Tyrrell
May 3, 2011
I just read about Judge Middleton's death in the Virginia Lawyer. The thoughtful obituary in the Tucscon paper reminded me so much of when I was his law clerk in 1991-92. He always challenged me to think outside the box. I especially remember that whenever I came into his office, he put aside whatever he was doing and gave me his undivided attention. Despite his intellect and position of power, he was always humble and kind. I am sorry to hear that he had health issues during the last few years, but know that he was comforted by his family and friends. I hope he was able to fish and sail to the end. He married Ken and me in 1995, and we are still happily married living in Indianapolis, where I still practice family law. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. God bless you all.
Melanie Jorgensen
April 19, 2011
I just read about Judge Middleton's death and wanted to express my condolences from the mountains of Southwest Virginia. I was lucky enough to be chosen to be a law clerk by Judge Middleton and his wisdom and influence has stayed with me since 1982. He was a very special person to me and my law career and my thoughts and prayers are with all his family. God bless.
February 20, 2011
God looked around his garden
and found an empty place.
He then looked down upon the earth,
And saw your tired face.
He put His arms around you,
And lifted you to rest.
God's garden must be beautiful,
He always takes the best.
He knew you were suffering,
He knew that you were in pain.
He knew that you would never,
Get well on earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough,
And the hills were hard to climb,
So He closed your weary eyelids,
And whispered, "Peace be thine."
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you didn't go alone,
For part of us went with you,
The day God called you home.
Kevin MacKay
February 13, 2011
Dear Aunt Kathleen, Tommy, Philip, Mary, Ruth and Family –
We were so sad to hear about Uncle Tom. We will always remember him as a strong, intelligent man of the highest character; a good friend to many; someone deeply loved by my Mother; a positive influence on everyone he met; and a person we all aspire to be like. All of my memories picture him with the family and a heartfelt smile on his face. We wish we could have been there with you (and him) this past week. Please accept our sincere sympathy, and know our warm thoughts and prayers are with you all. We hope we get to see you all someday in the not too distant future.
Love,
Kevin, Maureen, Shannon, Conor and Kaitlin MacKay
Mary Agnes Keener
February 11, 2011
Kathleen, so sorry to hear about your loss of your dear Tom. I knew when we emailed you mentioned he had some health issues.. I offer my condolence to you and your kids and all the Middleton family. May God grant eternal peace and joy to Tom and loving consolation to all of you. Sounds like you have kids around - so that will be good. Take care of yourself. God bless. Mary Agnes Dennie Keener P.S. So glad we were able to get together not long ago.
Phillip Middleton
February 11, 2011
DAD
Eulogy
February 8th, 2011
I’ve spent the last 30 years, on and off, thinking and planning what I would say if given the opportunity to speak at my father’s funeral. There were so many times we thought it was his last moments. In each case we were wrong. The last few days I’ve spent a considerable amount of time writing down my thoughts about my father and honestly the final version didn’t turn out anything similar to how I planned. So please forgive me for having to read this in order to do it justice.
First, I want to thank everyone on behalf of my family for joining us today to help celebrate the life of Tom Middleton and participating in what will be a new beginning for those of us he left behind. He was a man who spent his life helping others prepare for their own life journey and he did that by making them part of his life. He was greatly loved by his children and grandchildren, which in itself is evidence of how much he loved them. He will be deeply missed but more importantly remembered and honored through our actions and words. He was always conscious of the role model he was. One of the characteristics that we all can attest to was my dad’s love of learning. He never stopped pushing the limits of his own knowledge and encouraged us all to do the same.
I could stand here and talk about my father all day.
My earliest memories of the smell of Old Spice and El Producto cigars. The memory of him shaving in the bathroom, pretending the razor was a WWII fighter plane. My child hood vision of his white dress shirts with cigar ash burns on the pocket. These are all things that are very personal to me. Or I could dwell on his time in the 11th Airborne, or as a boxer, or a young baseball pitcher.
Or I could talk about His passion for the Sea. The Banshee, the KAMARU, the Raggamuffin. In another time he could have been an ocean going explorer.
Or, perhaps, his uncanny ability to make up long winding stories entertaining his grandchildren for hours on end. The beautiful witt and some of the profound yet funny things he said.
His Irish stuborness, or the feeling of warmth and security one felt when you reached out to shake his hand.
Lawyer, Judge, public servant, protector of the weak and innocent, hand of justice for those who made poor life decisions, all of these things he was, but most importantly of all, he was my dad.
In many ways he was a modern day explorer, who’s life was his own winding story. A story that he made us part of. A story that we now have the responsibility to carry forward in our own life journeys. Tom Middleton’s story was a story of a self made man who came from humble beginnings. A man who loved his brothers and sister deeply. A man who lost his mother too early in life. A self made man who together with the wife he loved faced life’s ups and downs with honor, integrity, honesty, and a sense of duty. Rare qualities in todays world. What’s even more rare, he used these qualities to help others better themselves.
I’m not going to review the historical facts of my father’s life today. That’s not the important part of his story. Instead, today, I’d like to focus on who this man was and the legacy he created .
If I was asked how my father would like to be remembered I would have to say he would want to be remembered as a man of intellectual character, a man of integrity, an honest man, loving husband, father, and grandfather, but he would be selling himself short with this review of his life. He was all of those things, but so much more.
My father was a teacher.
He spent his life teaching others to better themselves. Helping us through the life lessons we all struggled through. Encouraging us to challenge ourselves and learn for ourselves. To strive for something better. He taught us that there were no limits to our abilities or the things we could accomplish. All we needed was to try.
He was an advisor.
A mentor to many both professionally and privately. He relished in the accomplishments of others. Yet, he was modest enough to never take credit for other peoples success, people he helped succeed.
My father was a student.
Although proud of his own accomplishments. He was not to proud to recognize the need to continue learning. The need for his own growth. Always taking the opportunity to grow, to learn something new. He actually began taking violin lessons at the age of 70 and tried to learn the Indian flute at the age of 80. One thing he wasn’t , was a musician.
He was a pillar of strength.
An unmoving presence that you knew would be there at a time of need, times of uncertainty or confusion. Although strong, he was the gentlest person I’ve ever known. He used his strength in kind, generous ways. His strength was love.
My father was a fair man, a forgiving man, a patient man.
He never held a grudge and I never heard him say cross words about anyone. He never detracted or took away. He only gave. He chose to spend his life building.
He was charitable to a fault.
Although he believed we all are responsible for our own actions and that the individual is accountable for their own successes and failures. He gave of himself. He provided a safety net for those that had none. He was a life long public servant.
He spent his life giving to others.
Yet he never made excuses or complained about his own misfortunes. He was a courageous man. No matter what obstacle was placed in front of him. He only looked forward. He planned to conquer, he planned to overcome.
Most of all, my father was a loved man.
Loved and respected by so many. He lived his life on his own terms and left this world a better more promising place. Yet, today for all of us – a little darker place as he is no longer with us. He is at peace now, no longer in pain. A pain he endured because of his great love for us all. Although we will all deeply miss him, my father’s life will carry on in the legacy he left behind.
Will the 18 Grand children of Tom Middleton please stand up.
Whether a Middleton, a Chabrek, or a Mettenburg, you, are his legacy. You are what’s left of Tom Middleton. He took great pride in watching you grow and preparing you for the journey you are about to undertake.
Without you, everything he lived for and everything he was will become just another faded memory. He could never be anything more.
With you, the things he stood for will be passed on for generations. His memory honored by your actions and the subsequent actions of those you touch in your daily lives.
He gave you all a great gift. The gift of time. Although ailing for many years, he refused to give in. I believe he did this because he loved you and desired to teach you, prepare you for your life’s journey. You were priviledged to be part of his story, but with priveledge comes responsibility. You must take what you’ve learned and carry it into the world.
Be strong as he was, but use your strength in gentle ways, be proud of who you are but always stay humble.
Seek to help others better themselves never teardown or detract.
Be kind, forgiving, and charitable to others.
And most of all, Always remember you are accountable for the actions and decisions that impact your life. No one else can be held responsible.
Do these things and you will honor his memory.
Do these things and you will be the next great chapter in the story of Tom Middleton.
He will live on through your words and actions. Don’t forget him and always remember the man he was.
Your grandfather was known as a story teller. So, in your life’s journey remember his story, tell it often, and tell it well.
Stan Klein
February 11, 2011
Kathleen,
I thought of you and Tom a few weeks ago and intended to give Tom one of my yearly phone calls to see how things were going for the two of you in Arizona. When I last spoke to Tom he ended our conversation by telling me to make sure that I will always be happy. When we hung up I had a strange feeling that Tom knew that we would never again talk to each other. I am so sorry that I didn't pick up the phone to call one last time when I had the chance.
Your husband was an inspiration to many of us who came to the bench after him. He cared about every case he heard because he cared about every human being who came before him. That's what made Tom a wonderful judge, but even more importantly, that is what made him a very special man. May he rest in peace.
Stan Klein
Alice Rood
February 11, 2011
Judge Middleton was witty and wise. He was kind to lawyers, litigants, and staff. On his newest voyage, I wish him red skies at night.
Steve Moriarty
February 10, 2011
It is hard, if not impossible, to know how many lawyers and judges one can meet in nearly 30 years of practice. But if asked to form a short list of the finest gentlemen in the business, Thomas Middleton would be at the top of it. One did not need to agree with him in order to respect him and his integrity.
Even after he retired, it was always a pleasure to run into him.
I missed him when he moved to Florida, and I miss him now.
steven garver
February 10, 2011
I recall being sworn in to practice by Judge Middleton before I was able to appear before the Virginia Supreme Court. As I walked back to my office after being sworn in he had the clerk call to appoint me to represent a defendant who had hijacked a bus. Often during my early years I went to him for advice and when appearing before him litigants and attorney's always knew, win or loose, that he had given them a full and fair hearing. If I had to pick words to characterize him on the bench the words I would think of are integrity and fairness. He will be missed by all in the community and I extend condolences to his family.
steve garver
Joe Condo
February 9, 2011
Tom Middleton was one of the finest judges I ever appeared before. He epitomized professionalism, always kept an open mind, and tried in every case to do the right thing. Off the bench, he was a kind and caring man, and a joy to talk to. He loved a good joke and had a booming, contagious laugh. He cared about lawyering, he cared about the law, and he cared about lawyers as fellow human beings. I have missed him greatly since he retired, and I am profoundly saddened at his passing. My deepest condolences to Kathleen and the family.
DICKSON YOUNG
February 9, 2011
I practiced for many years in front of Tom Middleton. He was a man of great intellect and compassion. He balanced the day to day trial with with a great wit and and appreciation for the human condition. His passsing is a loss to us all. His giving to the legal community over the years of his practice and time on the bench made Fairfax the community it is today. Thanks Judge Middleton Dickson Young
Arthur Vieregg
February 9, 2011
Dear Kathleen,
Please accept my deepest sympathy upon Tom’s passing. He was among the finest of the judges on the Fairfax Circuit Court Bench. I was honored to be selected to fill his seat.
I recall appearing before him as a young lawyer. Joe Gartlan, an admired and distinguished member of the Fairfax legal community, was my opponent. Much to my surprise, I prevailed, learning that Tom decided cases on the basis of the facts and the law, not the reputations of those before him. He will be missed and fondly remembered.
Art Vieregg
February 9, 2011
Dear Middleton Family,
Please accept my condolences on the passing of Tom. I had the privilege of appearing before him on numerous occasions. I always knew that he would fairly and knowledgeably consider each litigant's position with intellectual discipline and goodwill. I like to think that we were friends and I was saddened to learn of his death. He leaves a great legacy for his children and grand children.
Michael S. Horwatt
February 9, 2011
I had the honor of appearing before Tom Middleton as a new lawyer and found him to be the consummate gentleman, fair and always prepared. When I became a lower court judge he was one who always welcomed me to the judge's dining room and included me in the conversation, nervous as I was. Not universally known by the trial bar when he became a judge, he quickly earned high marks from most and will be favorably remembered as a bright light on the 19th Circuit. Michael Valentine(Fairfax Station)
February 9, 2011
I had the honor to appear before Judge Middleton many times and I was always impressed with his courtesy, graciousness and determination to do the best job possible. May he rest in peace. John J. Brandt, Esq.
Mark Dare
February 9, 2011
Tom was a wonderful judge, a credit to judges and lawyers everywhere: smart, interested, always fair and respectful, unfailingly polite. I was saddened by his retirement; I am deeply saddened by his passing.
K. Stewart Evans, Jr
February 9, 2011
Kathlee and Family,
I had the pleasure of practicing law with Tom and then trying cases in front of Tom. I loved his intellect. Very memorable to me was the trial I had with Wyatt Durette, another form Boothe Prichard lawyer. The specific issue I cannot remember. but I remember how excited Tom got about it. He got up from the bench, came out into the courtroom, and started writing feverishly on white paper mounted on an easle. Tom was a man of great integrity from whom I learned many good lessons.
February 9, 2011
Kathleen and Family:
Uncle Tom's passing saddens me; he was a role model to me. I have wonderful memories of him and my time with all of you as a child which I will cherish. May people's high regard of Tom sustain you in your most difficult hours. Love, Amy (Norton) McIntire
James McGettrick
February 8, 2011
I practiced in front of Judge Middleton. He was an outstanding judge and a credit to Virginia's judiciary, and always fair, considerate, and gracious to counsel appearing before him. May he rest in peace.
February 7, 2011
Dear Kathleen,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Love,
Joan Garrett
February 7, 2011
Kathleen, Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Terry and Frances Hannam
Eloise & Mark Trump
February 7, 2011
Kathleen & Family, Praying for family and friends to comfort you, faith to uphold you, and loving memories to help you smile again.
Ginny Gaten & Family
February 6, 2011
Kathleen & Family, we were so sorry to hear of Toms passing. May you find peace & comfort in the days to come and always remember we love you all and are here for you if you need anything.
Barbara Norton
February 6, 2011
Tom has been my brother-in-law for 55 years and he was always a gentleman and well respected by all who knew him. Not once in all the years I visited him and my sister, Kathleen, for 2-3 weeks at a time, did he ever make me feel unwanted. I always felt welcomed and loved. He was a wonderful human being and I, and my family, will miss him.
Barbara Norton & Family
Richard Middleton
February 6, 2011
We wish circumstances allowed for us to be with you and family at this time...our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love,
Richard & Anne
Karen Marchi
February 6, 2011
My deepest sympathy goes out to you, Kathleen.
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