Thomas Virgil Lee

Thomas Virgil Lee, 97, of Lovettsville, VA, passed away on December 29, 2025.
Thomas was born August 20, 1928, in Nashville, TN. He married Monica Shirley Hegarty on August 20, 1955, in Chattanooga, TN, cleverly choosing his birthday as their anniversary so that he would never forget the date.
A member of the Tennessee National Guard, he served in the Korean War and was the most popular member of his unit when popcorn tins filled with chickens and fresh eggs arrived from back home. After the war, he and Monica started a family and relocated to Lanham, MD. He enjoyed a long career with NASA, first at headquarters in Washington, DC, and later at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD.
During the latter years of his career, he purchased a plot of land in Lovettsville, VA, where he and Monica built their dream home, digging the foundations and laying cinder blocks by hand. "The Country," as it came to be known, was a haven for his many grandchildren and some very memorable pets.
In retirement, he took up furniture making and developed an insatiable interest in genealogical research. Fascinated with technology, he kept up to date with everything from gizmos and gadgets to internet-based genealogy platforms and even experimented with using AI to track down branches of the family tree.
Thomas was a devoted, constant presence in his family's lives, often found quietly "resting his eyes" or telling stories on the porch as the breeze rolled through.
Thomas lost his wife of 70 years following a tragic hit-and-run in October 2024. He was also predeceased by his son Mark; his daughter Margaret (Bayless); his parents, Jeannette (Grimes) and Otho Lee; and his sister, Nancy (Williams). He is survived by his son Patrick, and many treasured grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A viewing will be held Friday, January 2, at Hall Funeral Home in Purcellville, VA, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, January 3, at 12:30 PM at St. Francis de Sales in Purcellville, VA. Interment will follow at Blue Ridge Cemetery in Thurmont, MD, at 2:30 PM.