Thomas Charles Lominac

1944 - 2023

Thomas (Tom) Charles Lominac, 79, of Buena Vista, VA passed away in Chattanooga, TN on December 21, 2023. Tom was born in 1944 in Asheville, North Carolina to Charles and Dolly Lominac.

Tom graduated from the University of North Carolina undergrad in 1965 with a double major in English and Mathematics, and went on to receive his PhD in Mathematics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1971. He had a career in academia, teaching at Davidson College, Concord College, Mars Hill College, and Shaw University, before a twenty eight year career teaching at Virginia Military Institute. At VMI he became a full professor of mathematics, served as head of the Department of Mathematics and helped the department establish a major in Computer Science before retiring in 2010.

Tom was a kind and honest man, who loved literature, music and film. He loved to laugh and was quick to make others laugh as well, but had no patience for inequity or unfairness. He was generous with time and spirit, a loyal member of the Buena Vista Lions Club for years. He served the Rockbridge Regional Library System as a trustee, and truly believed in the missions of public libraries everywhere. Prior to his illness, Tom was also active with the Remote Area Medical, helping to provide dental, vision, and other medical care to those in need. Tom was an active member of St. Johns United Methodist Church in Buena Vista, Virginia.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Charles Melvin and Dolly Mae Lominac, his wife Margie Alice Lominac, and his son Marc Eliot Pedneau. He is survived by his children, Thomas (Eric) Lominac and wife Aimee of Wakefield, Massachusetts, Susan (Sunny) Ratcliffe and husband Neil of Fort Payne, Alabama. He also leaves behind his sisters Jane Jensen (late husband Richard) of Rutherford College, North Carolina and Ruth Willis (husband Michael) of Canton, North Carolina, along with many cherished nieces and nephews. Tom is the beloved Papaw to seven grandchildren, Bradley, Ericka, Dalton, Julie, Sara, Luke, and Emilie; as well as two great-grandchildren, Caroline and Delaney.

There will be a memorial service at St. John's Methodist Church in Buena Vista on January 4th, 2024 at 11:00 AM. Tom valued reading, education, and service of others. In lieu of flowers, and to honor his memory, the family requests that donations be made to the Buena Vista Lions Club, Remote Area Medical (RAM), or the public library of your choice. These contributions will help continue his legacy of community support and lifelong learning.