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BORN
1933
DIED
2007
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Thomas Massie Obituary
Thomas Massie, 73, of Norwood, died Tuesday, June 5, 2007, in Nelson County. Thomas was born Nov. 7, 1933, in Lynchburg, a son of the late Robert Withers Massie Jr. and Ella Wyatt McKinnon Massie.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Patricia DeJarnette Massie; as well as a brother, James Darroch Massie; and a daughter, Renee Darroch Massie.
Thomas was educated in Lynchburg Public Schools. He attended Virginia Military Institute wherein he graduated class of '56 as the president of his class with a degree in civil engineering. He served in the United States Army. He taught and coached wrestling at VMI for two years. After his time at VMI he went into the quarry business in Eagle Rock. Later he taught at Montgomery Community College for seven years before establishing the Blue Ridge Arts Company and devoting the rest of his life to sculpturing.
He is survived by sons, Murdock DeJarnette Massie of Nelson County, and Thomas Wright Massie of Arlington; his daughters, Martha Camden Massie and husband, John Nieman, of Juliene, N.C., Christine Rebecca Massie and husband, Michael Herzog, of New York, N.Y.; stepson Brock DeJarnette Davidson and wife, Anjanette, of Virginia Beach; and his granddaughter, Kristina Wright Massie. He is also survived by his brothers, Robert Withers Massie III and William (Bill) McKinnon Massie, both of Lynchburg; and his sister, Ella Graham Massie Marks of Guilford, Conn.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 9, 2007, at Grace Episcopal Church at Massies Mill with Rector Judy Parrish officiating. Following the service the family will receive friends in the Parrish Hall of the Church. Interment will be held at 2 p.m. in Episcopal Cemetery in Lynchburg.
Memorials may be made to Lovingston Fire Dept. P.O. Box 6, Lovingston, VA 22949; or Nelson Co. Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 44, Faber, VA 22938.
Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel of Lovingston is assisting the family, (434) 263-4097.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Massie
Cindy Warren
June 8, 2007
The TyeRiver Rangers has appreciated the moral support and advice Tom has extended our organization over the past year.
His invaluable comments have been instrumental in moving forward the project for the community to adopt the entire Tye River, which he loved so much, and its watershed.
Pat Templin
June 8, 2007
I'm so sorry to learn of Tom's passing. We were high school friends at dear ole E.C. Glass in Lynchburg. My thoughts and prayers are with the family now.
Pat Woolridge Templin
George Locher
June 8, 2007
Tom Massie was one of those unusual people that you feel was always a close friend although you didn't see him often. I lived next door to one of his fathers brothers in Glasgow Va in the beginning. Tom's dad brought the four boys by in the pickup truck on the way to their family quarry. We fished together at their Nelson camp, We were at VMI together and shared an apartment together before marriage. He was very smart, very athletic, and always the same friend. He was part of a historic Virginia family. I think of all of them often. George Locher.
Ray Uttaro
June 7, 2007
Murdock,
My thoughts are with you and the rest of your family. I am sorry for your loss.
Ed Burns
June 7, 2007
I would like to render a final salute to my Brother Rat and class president.Our lives seemed to head in different directions,but the bonds of VMI always remain.My deepest sympathy and sincere thoughts are with the family. Ed Burns
Nancy Tapager
June 7, 2007
Tom was a true Virginia gentleman and a very talented artist. I knew Tom and Patricia through my son's friendship with their son, Murdock. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Nancy Tapager, Shipman, Va.
Randolph Knipp
June 6, 2007
Tom, classmate at E. C. Glass and VMI, and good friend, will be missed and fondly remembered by all who have known him. We recently re-established contact, and have been corresponding - but the rest of our conversations will be on hold until we meet again. God bless the family in this time of sadness.
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