Thomas W. Moss Jr.

Thomas W. Moss, Jr.

Norfolk - Thomas Warren Moss, Jr., 87, of Norfolk, Virginia passed away Thursday, November 26, 2015 while visiting family in Greenville, S.C. He graduated from Granby High School and subsequently graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute with an engineering degree. He served in the United States Army in the Korean War as a First Lieutenant. After his service in the military he obtained his law degree from the University of Richmond. In addition to his law practice he served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1966 - 2000. During that time he served as House Majority Leader, and in 1991 he was elected Speaker of the House of Delegates and served in that role until 2000. He retired from the legislature in 2001 and was elected Treasurer of the City of Norfolk that same year, retiring in 2013.

Tom was a lifelong member of First Lutheran Church of Norfolk. Professional affiliations include the Norfolk/Portsmouth Bar Association, the Virginia State Bar, the American Bar Association, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, past President of the Young Democratic Club of Norfolk and past President of the Tidewater Chapter of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association. Because of his service to the citizens of the Commonwealth he was recognized and honored by a multitude of organizations. As a member of the Virginia Tech German Club, he received the German Club Alumni Foundation Distinguished Achievement Award. In 1997 Tidewater Community College in downtown Norfolk was dedicated and named the Thomas W. Moss, Jr. Campus. Also in 1997 a research building at Virginia Tech. was named The Thomas W. Moss, Jr. Research Building in recognition of his lifetime dedication to education. He was a former Crusade Chairman of the American Cancer Society.

Tom is survived by his devoted wife, Norma Jean; his daughter, Elizabeth Adamson (Guy); his son, Thomas W. Moss, III (Ashby); son-in-law, J. Carter Bernhardt; and his step-son, Joey Bryant (Annette). He adored his nine grandchildren, Emily and Laura Adamson, Warren and Trent Moss, John and Carter Bernhardt, and Michael, Dustin, and Jessica Bryant. He is also survived by the mother of his children, Jane Miller Byrd.

He was pre-deceased by his daughter Susan Moss Bernhardt, his mother Laura Burckard Moss, his father Thomas Warren Moss, and brother Charles (Burke) Moss.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 from 4 until 6:00 p.m. at the Norfolk Chapel of H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., 1501 Colonial Ave. A memorial service will be held on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church on Colley Avenue in Norfolk. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in memory of his daughter, Susan Bernhardt. They may also be made to The Tom Moss Endowed Leadership Scholarship at Virginia Tech, 902 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA 24061 or to the Thomas W. Moss, Jr. Scholarship at Tidewater Community College, 121 College Place, Norfolk 23510. Online condolences may be made to the family through hdoliver.com.