Thomas S. Witherspoon II

Thomas S. Witherspoon II 1919 - 2008 Lt. Col. Thomas Witherspoon died peacefully on September 19th at his home for the past 44 years in Long Beach. Tom was born in Dallas, Texas and grew up all over the United States. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps as a reserve while still in high school. While working at a movie theater, Tom would meet his future wife, Dorothy Jordan. They were married for 62 years when she passed away. Tom is survived by his brother, Buz; his three children, Greg Witherspoon, Andy Witherspoon and Jackie Gengler; son in-law, Tom Gengler; an d his five grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. Lt. Col. Witherspoon was in the Pacific during World War II earning 13 medals, including the Bronze Medal, Purple Heart, and the Silver Star for bravery under fire. He also served in Korea and Viet Nam. After a 28-year career with the Marines, he moved to the city of Long Beach and started his 44-year love affair with the city as the official city photographer. He worked for the agencies that marketed the City and was the only employee on board the Quee n Mary for the entire final voyage, later writing a book about the ship "God saved the Queen". Tom was at the controls of the Spruce Goose helping it to its resting place in the Dome. Tom became the film coordinator for the City of Long Beach beginning with the original Poseidon Adventure all the way through the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie. For most of the later movies he was assisted by his son Andy who continues holding that position to this day. Tom assisted with many yacht races over the years, generally just for the enjoyment of taking pictures and sharing them with the participants. He worked as a volunteer during the Los Angeles Olympics helping with the yacht races. Tom was an artist with his camera, with oil paintings and even wrote some greeting cards along with his book. He was working on his life story recently, but never quite finished, preferring to spend time with his family, especially his new great grandson. As the saying goes, "Once a Marine, always a Marine," Tom was 70 years old d uring the Gulf War in 1990 and called the Marines to reenlist. Services will be held at Luyben Mortuary in Long Beach, California at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 27, 2008.