Thomas Bennie Tisdale, Jr.

Thomas Bennie Tisdale Jr. of Keswick, Virginia, passed away on January 4, 2024. He was born in Richmond, Virginia, on February 7, 1941. He grew up in Orange, Virginia, and attended public schools there. Tom earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at the University of Virginia and later received his master’s degree in Business Administration at Marshall University.

Tom served his country in the United States Air Force from 1964 to 1969 as a radar navigator on B-52 bombers. Later he worked in construction as a project manager and estimator. As general superintendent at R. E. Lee & Son, he oversaw the construction of the Charlottesville Downtown Mall.

Tom is survived by Janice Smith Tisdale, with whom he celebrated 60 years of marriage; two daughters, Susan Maynard of Waverly, Virginia, and Kara (John) Romano of Glen Allen, Virginia; his brother, Robert Tisdale of Laurinburg, North Carolina; and his sister, Barbara Hawse of Orange, Virginia. He was predeceased by his daughter, Diane, and by his parents; Thomas Bennie Tisdale and Garnette Tinder Tisdale.

Tom was actively involved in the lives of his beloved grandchildren: Laura Maynard (William) Sullivan, Samantha Romano, Maria Romano, Allison Romano, Emily Romano, Taylor Romano, Benjamin Romano; and great-grandchildren: Reed and Ruby Sullivan.

A memorial service celebrating Tom’s life will be held at Hill and Wood Funeral Home in Charlottesville on Sunday, January 7, at 4:00 p.m., with visitation of family between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Crossroads Community Church (385 Poindexter Road, Louisa, Virginia 23093) of which Tom was a founding member.