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Thomas Robert PARR
1950 - 2018
Thomas Robert PARR
1950 - 2018
Obituary
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Thomas PARR Obituary
Thomas Robert Parr, aged 67 of Falls Church, Virginia, passed away at his home the morning of February 1st, 2018.
A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00am on February 10th, 2018, at National Funeral Home, 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA, 22042. There will be a brief service followed by a reception. Memorials may be made in Thomas's name to the Lymphoma Research Foundation.
Thomas is survived by his daughters Nicole, Vanessa, and Dacee, his brother and sister Stewart and Nancy, and his granddaughter Jasmine. He will be missed by many nephews, cousins, in-laws, and close friends around the world.
Thomas was born on July 4th, 1950 in Champaign, Illinois, to Robert Dale Parr, and Virginia Elizabeth Parr. He graduated from York High School in 1968. He graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a BA in Political Science in 1972, and from George Washington University with a Masters in Public and International Affairs in 1982.
Thom was an adventurer from an early age and in his student years spent time living in Spain and South America. Thom's work as a consultant to financial institutions took him all over the world, later living in Mongolia, Ukraine, Poland, and Russia. An avid traveler, Thom was always excited by the prospect of the next trip, and the next adventure. He enjoyed immersing himself in different cultures, places, and books. He loved music, discovering new bands, and in turn sharing them with the people he loved. In more recent years, Thom settled in Falls Church, Virginia to be close to family. He most enjoyed catching up with old friends, spending time with his daughters and family, and of course exercising.
If you stopped by Thom's house one evening (which most of you probably did), you would almost always find him sitting at the kitchen counter with his iPad, Skyping with his siblings or daughters, and enjoying a martini. While music or NPR blared from the radio, ribs cooked on the grill outside. You would be catching up with Thom (and perhaps having a spirited debate), and his cat Pumpkin would be lounging on the stool next to you. It wasn't uncommon for neighbors to stop by, or to find a friend passing through town crashing on his couch. People gravitated towards him that way. Thom's friends and family will always remember him as someone passionate about life and his future. His humor, generosity, and spirit will be missed by all who knew him.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
February 10, 2018
Thom was my neighbor and friend for many years. I always enjoyed talking with him, his wonderful sense of humor and his unique perspective on life. I will miss him very much. Thoughts and prayers are with his family. Diane Gross
Robert Brogan
February 10, 2018
Thom has been our neighbor and friend ever since the day that he moved into the neighborhood many years ago. He instantly made the neighborhood better. He had one of the most interesting, diverse, and amazing backgrounds and set of life experiences of anyone that I have ever met. He lived in many different -- and some exotic -- countries; loved his family; had a keen intellect; was extremely discerning and perceptive; and had a fantastic sense of humor that made it a pleasure to know him and be around him. His passing leaves his neighbors, family, and friends bereft of someone who handled life's up and downs with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye and amazing grace. He will be sorely missed.
Theresa Jeapes
February 9, 2018
Will be thinking of you all across the Atlantic today.
Godspeed Thom!
Theresa Jeapes
Constance McKenna
February 9, 2018
Maxs bday party 24 years ago.
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Ophelia Chesley
February 8, 2018
Thom has been my neighbor for over 5 years. He welcomed me to the neighborhood, and it took him no time to offer me help with many things I needed to get settled down. He has phone numbers of handyman; he added me to the neighborhood gutter cleaning party; he shared the fresh cut from his flower garden. Every Sunday I saw him washing his cars, and we would chat about work and kids, politics and travel. Even though our cats never officially met, they both smell each other. Thom is my best cat sitter. I can still imagine hearing the ding ding sound he made often when he was looking for the little wild Pumpkin to come home for supper. Sorry I didn't have a chance to say goodbye to Thom. I will miss him a lot, and so will Pepper.
Arturo Vera Aguirre
February 6, 2018
Tom was my very first and closest American friend in Washington D C, since the summer of 1974. I met Tom in Tammany Hall, a hamburger joint for The George Washington University students and others. Tom approached our group with a disarmingly "Yo tambien hablo espanol!" and from that very moment we became friends, particularly when he warned me, with his characteristic sarcastic sense of humor, about the body-guards of Susan Ford, who I was dancing with, unaware that she was the daughter of President Gerard Ford. Tom's generosity was evident the following days when he accompanied me to pick up my sister Lupita, who came to celebrate her 15th birthday. Tom showed Lupe the town and taught her English. The following year when I returned to DC, Tom invited me to share a house with another friend of his. In the following years, and decades, we shared weddings, the births of our children and even grandchildren, notwithstanding physical distances when we moved to South America and Tom to Asia. Tom will always remain a dearest friend to me and my family. Diana and Arturo Vera
Gunter Schaub
February 6, 2018
As a classmate of Thom Parr at York it was impossible to think back on high school without having Thom in my thoughts - Thom was one of the pillars of our class and in so many ways represents all that is good about our memories of that time. We reconnected in our early 60's on facebook and immediately just knew we'd have each other's back if need be. I learned about Thom's challenges and the strength he exhibited as he kept keeping on. There is a profoundness in Thom's passing that I cannot put into words but all of you who know Thom understand. My deepest condolences to everyone in Thom's life - Gunter Schaub / York '68
Jan Dimick
February 5, 2018
Prayers to all. Thom was a cousin from my mothers side of the family. Our families got together once a year to share Thanksgiving. During the last several years Facebook connected us periodically. I will always remember the way in which he lived his life. Nothing was impossible for Thom. He made dreams happen. He traveled to places that enriched him as a person. I will miss finding his remarks to some of the stuff on Facebook.
Well done good and faithful servant. Well done.
Tsippy Herbst
February 5, 2018
We lived next door to Tom in Falls Church in 2012-2013. We came to the USA from a different country and were luck to live near Tom. Tom welcomed us to the USA with open arms helping us with anything we needed including driving us to the airport, cooking for us, taking us out, and explaining to us how things work. One magical moment that is stuck in my head is Tom sitting in our kitchen teaching our daughters how to curve their first pumpkin. Tom was always lecturing us to eat more protein and live a healthier life. He came over almost every evening with a glass of Martini and become very quickly our dear and loved friend. Then we had to move to Chicago for work and Tom recommended Elmhurst where he grow up and helped us find a house there. We always stayed in touch and we were lucky to have him for 2 days a few months back not knowing it will be the last time we see our dear dear friend. During his visit we told him we are going back to our home country and got Tom to promise us he will come visit us, which I am sure he would if he was still with us.
Tom- we will always remember you and all the good times we had together. For us you were the good side of humanity. You loved life and life loved you. We miss you a lot and are still finding it hard to believe you are no longer with us but you will always stay in our memories. We love you! Sharon Volkovitz, Tsippy Herbst, Noga, Maya and Yanai ❤
Dad and Nicki, wedding day action shot!
Vanessa Parr
February 5, 2018
Contemplative dad...
Vanessa Parr
February 5, 2018
Dad and Nicole
Vanessa Parr
February 5, 2018
Dad gettin' fancy for Nicki's wedding.
Vanessa Parr
February 5, 2018
Me and Dad in London
Vanessa Parr
February 5, 2018
Alissa Herbst
February 4, 2018
Tom was my daughter's next door neighbor for the year she lived in Falls Church. He became almost a part of her family while they were so far from home. He taught them about American holidays and how to carve a pumpkin.
I met him when visiting and he was as friendly and kind to me as he was to my daughter, her husband and their children.
A man comfortable in his skin. A man who loved life and loved people.
So sorry to hear if his passing.
Darl Tellefsen
February 3, 2018
When I look back at Jr high and High School a few people leave you with lasting memories. Tom was one of them. He was always kind to everyone. My sympathy to family and friends..
Darl Tellefsen
February 3, 2018
I remember Tom in our gym class. So sorry to hear of his passing. Prayers to his family and friends. A class mate from York Glen Schieberl
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7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22042
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