Tom Easterly

EASTERLY Tom Easterly died in an automobile accident Wednesday afternoon on I-64 at Hurricane, W. Va. The 65-year-old Beckley, W. Va. resident made his home in earlier years at Miami, Fla., and Frankfort, Ky. The decedent was a son of the late Edgar E. Easterly, Jr. and wife Ethel of Frankfort. Surviving children are Philip, April, and adopted son, Edgar Diaz, U. S. military. Brothers who survive are Ed Easterly, III (Helen), Nicholasville, Ky.; Ellis Easterly (Rose Marie), Baltimore, Md.; James Easterly (Barbara), Laguna Niguel, Cal.; and Ron Easterly, Charleston, W. Va. Easterly was born in Columbus, Oh. He graduated from Eastern High School in suburban Louisville, Ky. He graduated in 1958, 8th in a class of 334. Higher education took him to Carleton College. He graduated Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, and played football two years and baseball one season. His junior year, he studied at Paris, France. He earned a masters degree at University of Ky. in 1964 in Diplomacy and International Commerce. Army duty was chosen in 1965. Easterly separated as a 1st Lt. in 1968 with 1.5 years in Vietnam. He was a Green Beret, paratrooper, and psychological operations officer working to pacify civilians. He was awarded the Bronze Star. Returning to academia, he taught French and studied Law at University of Tenn., 1969-70. He claimed a JD diploma in 1970. He finished upper 10 in his class and was elected president, UT Student Bar Assoc. Next was Ky. State University where he taught Spanish, German, and Adm. Law, 1970-71. He was licensed to practice law in Ky. in 1971. He was an active lawyer until soon after 1987 when he moved to Miami, Fla. A licensed insurance agent with Globe Life & Accident Ins. Co. in 1981, he became Globe's top sales agent nationwide in 1983. Easterly was an attorney with Ky. Dept. of Insurance, 1971-72. In l973-75 he was attorney and research director for Ky. AFL-CIO, Louisville. He was elected Ky. state senator twice, serving 1974-81. He was Democratic Party nominee for 6th district congressman in 1978 and 1980, losing in the General Election. As a Fla. resident, Easterly won a two-year seat in the General Assembly, 1988-90. He moved to Beckley, W. Va. in 2000 and expanded his insurance business while remaining active in civic, education, and political activity. Funeral services will be Monday at 11 a.m. at ROGERS FUNERAL HOME, Frankfort, Ky. Burial will follow in Frankfort Cemetery. Conducting services will be Rev. Stephen Flynn, Frankfort Lutheran pastor. Visitation is Sunday, 3-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Pallbearers are Chappell Easterly, Karl Easterly and Easterly brothers.