Thomas Jefferson Northen Jr.

NORTHEN, Thomas Jefferson Jr., 89, of Lakewood Manor Baptist Retirement Community, Richmond died Thursday, January 3, 2008 after a short illness. He was the son of the late Argie Cooley Northen Haralson and Thomas Jefferson Northen. A native of Waco, Texas, Mr. Northen grew up in Lubbock, Texas attended Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas and graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from Texas Technological University. In 1941, Mr. Northen moved to Hampton, Va. to work with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) at Langley Air Force Base. He worked for 33 years with NACA, the U.S. Chemical Corps and U.S. Air Force (Tactical Air Command) before retiring from federal government service in 1973. During his years in Hampton he was an active member of Hampton Baptist Church. In 1976 Mr. Northen re-retired to Crossville, Tenn., where he lived for 20 years. He relocated to Lakewood Manor Baptist Retirement Community in 1997. He was a member of Derbyshire Baptist Church and a participant in the senior adult local group, "The Golden Tones." Mr. Northen is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary Gladys Mason Northen of Richmond, Va. He is also survived by a son, Thomas J. Northen III and wife, Bonnie of Manakin, Va.; three daughters, Margarett Northen Kunz and husband, Gary of Gaithersburg, Md., Rev. Elizabeth Northen of Westlake, La. and Stephanie Northen Lyons and husband, Roger of Greensboro, N.C.; six grandchildren, Thomas Keith Northen, Joanna Northen Duck, Colin B. Kelly, James Northen Lyons and Justin S. Lyons and Alison Elizabeth Grace Lyons-Long. Funeral services and entombment will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, Januray 5 at Westhampton Memorial Park Mausoleum in Richmond, Va. following the service the family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the new Assisted Living Building, Lakewood Manor Baptist Retirement Community, 1900 Lauderdale Dr., Richmond. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lakewood Manor Baptist Retirement Communtiy, 1900 Lauderdale Dr., Richmond 23233, The Organ Fund at Derbyshire Baptist Church, 8800 Derbyshire Rd. 23229 or a charity of your choice. The West Chapel of the Bennett Funeral Home is assisting the family.