Major General (MG) Thomas Tyler "Tommy" Thompson (Ret.), 90, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at The Newport Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Newport News, Virginia.

He was born in Hampton, Virginia to Rutherford B. Thompson and Elizabeth B. B. Thompson on August 6, 1934.  His parents ran Hampton Heights Dairy as well as the Hotel Langley, both in Hampton Virginia.  His mother also ran the Elizabeth Salon Dress Shop located inside the Hotel Langley.  They also ran Hilltop House hotel in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.

He is predeceased by his parents and his brother, Rutherford B. "Ford" Thompson, Jr., (and wife Virginia "Ginny" Thompson) formerly of Raleigh, North Carolina.

Tommy is survived by his wife, Rebecca "Becky" Thompson, also of Hampton, Virginia. He is also survived by his two children: his son, Thomas T. "Ty" Thompson, Jr. of Lexington, Kentucky (and wife, Dr. Jan), and his daughter, Alisa L. Thompson of Southern Pines, North Carolina.     He is survived by three step-children, Kathy Pearson (and husband Dave Pearson), Laura Johnson (and husband Matthew Johnson), and Dr. Susan Renn (and husband Wes Petrin).  He is also survived by four grandchildren, Alexandra M. "Alex" Thompson, Wyatt Johnson, Elizabeth Petrin, and Willow Petrin.   He is also survived by a niece, Elizabeth Ann Thompson (and husband Neil Ware) and a nephew Boyce Thompson (and wife Charlotte) and their families.

Tommy Thompson graduated in the class of 1952 from Hampton High School in Hampton, Virginia. and then graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Economics with Honors from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) in Blacksburg, Virginia.  Also, while at VPI, he served as Cadet Colonel of the Corps of Cadets and as a member of the German Club.  He was also a member of the Ut Prosim Society.

After college, Tommy served active duty in the U.S. Army in Korea as a Second Lieutenant.  When he returned to Hampton, he joined the real estate firm of Harrison & Lear as a residential salesman.  He became President of Harrison and Lear, Inc. in 1980 and later served as a managing partner of Coldwell Banker Professional.  He also started a residential real estate development firm, the Kikotan Company. Tommy specialized in new homes sales as a salesman, which led to his further interest in development work.  He was responsible for a number of subdivisions, apartments and office buildings across the Peninsula region including:  Elizabeth Lake Estates, Willow Oaks Subdivision, Windsor Great Park Subdivision, Running Man Subdivision, Willow Oaks Shopping Center, Church Creek Apartments, and the Executive Towers Office Building. He served twice as the President of the Peninsula Housing and Builders Association.  He was honored as Builder of the Year in 1995 and was a National Life Director. In 2008, he was honored with Emeritus Status by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).  He was in real estate for over 50 years.

Tommy served as a member of the Hampton School Board for ten years, five as Chairman.  He was an active member of the Hampton Rotary Club.  He and Becky have served  for many years on the Board of Trustees of the Shelton on the Bay Assisted Living Home in Hampton, Virginia.

He remained in the United States Army as a Virginia-Maryland National Guard Officer (29th Light Infantry Division), including the Guard's activation during Operation Desert Storm, and retired as a Major General, after 36 years of combined service.  Prior to his retirement, he was awarded the Virginia, Maryland, and United States Army Distinguished Service medals.

For over 20 years, Tommy was president of the Virginia National Guard Foundation, Inc.  providing over a million dollars in loans and grants to Virginia National Guard service members and families in need of financial support.

In 2004, Tommy helped to fundraise and assist the Hampton History Museum to acquire for its collection an authentic Rutherford Rifle originally lost at the 1813 Battle of Hampton, part of the War of 1812.  In 2005, Tommy began working with the Fort Monroe Redevelopment Authority to reenvision the historical, cultural, and residential future uses of the former U.S. Army Fort Monroe following the fort's closure under the Base Realignment and Closure Act.

In 2006, as part of the 50th Reunion Class celebration of his VPI (Virginia Tech) graduating class, he spearheaded the class gift to provide the Blacksburg campus with a bronze statue of the first VPI student, Addison Caldwell, who walked 27 miles to enroll at the school in 1879.

For the last 21 years, Tommy and Becky enjoyed raising black angus cattle, chickens, a pecan grove, and also boarded locally owned horses.  Every Christmas Eve, the horses and their owners along with family members participated in a Christmas parade with Santa and his sleigh through the neighborhood of Howe Farms.  Through the years, Tommy and Becky have provided a happy home to a variety of cats and dogs.  For the past several years, Tommy's boon companions have been his silky terrier, Cruise, and his long-haired dachshund, Angel.

He was a member of the Hampton Yacht Club.  He and his wife, Becky, have been active members of the First United Methodist Church Fox Hill in Hampton, Virginia.  Tommy served in a variety of leadership and mentoring roles in their church including:  Finance Chair and Chair of the Trustees.

The family is extremely grateful for the excellent care Tommy received from all the staff at The Newport in Newport News, VA.

The funeral home visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home, 245 S. Armistead Ave., Hampton, VA 23669.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at 10:00 am at First United Methodist Church Fox Hill, 1 Salt Pond Road, Hampton, VA 23664.

The burial will directly follow the funeral at St. John's Episcopal Church cemetery, 100 West Queens Way, Hampton, VA 23669.

Following the burial, a reception will be held at First United Methodist Church Fox Hill.