Dr. Thomas Raymond Geary, Jr.

Yorktown, Va. – Thomas Raymond Geary, Jr. was born in 1939 in his parents’ home in “Gearyville” in Follansbee, West Virginia.
His early life was rich with love and family and with this backdrop, Tom was never aware of his meager means or lack of comforts. Throughout his childhood and youth, one of his great loves was 4H Club. He was “State Poultry Champ” (1957) which earned him a trip with 4H to Chicago. Tom also loved baseball, basketball, and all things musical. He played flute, piccolo, and marched in the percussion section throughout high school and in marching band at West Virginia University (WVU). It was during those years that Tom began his love of WVU sports. It was also during those years that Tom met his greatest love, Nancy Bloom Geary.
After graduating WVU dental school, Tom moved with his wife and children to Fort Hood, Texas where he served as an army dentist during the Vietnam years. In 1969, his military commitment complete, Tom, Nancy, and their children moved to Virginia where Tom began his dental practice in Yorktown. There, Tom and Nancy truly put down roots, not only working as dentist, but serving the community in numerous capacities. Tom served with the Jaycees in the 70’s. He served his neighborhood as President of the association for many years. He volunteered in almost every capacity possible over his 50 years at Yorkminster Presbyterian Church. He served as deacon, elder, youth leader, committee member and chair, drove the church bus to pick up seniors, and was instrumental in raising funds to build Yorkminster’s Covenant Hall. He also continued his love of music by participating in Flute Trio, Men’s Quartet, and Choir. Outside of church, Tom played flute in the York River Band, and he shared his musical joy playing guitar and harmonica and singing in numerous neighborhood “Hootenannys.” and always in the family living room where he found solace in his music.
Tom was a servant through and through. Not only did he serve in the ways previously mentioned, but he and Nancy also cared for several foster children, one of whom remains family today. Tom served his wife Nancy for the six hard years of her battle with ALS, and he was by her side when she passed in 2016.
Tom died November 9 after a long battle with Dementia/Alzheimer’s. He was lovingly surrounded by three of his children. Although much of Tom’s memory had left him in the prior years, he remained the gentle, generous, kind, and funny man that he always was.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Edith Geary; his wife, Nancy Jane Bloom Geary; his infant son, Mark Thomas Geary; and his sister-in-law Lyn Bloom Savage. Tom leaves behind many anticipating a future reunion in Heaven, including his grown kids, Tammara Geary, Wendy (Pete) Carlson, Bryan (Lisa) Geary, and Rebecca Ingling. He also leaves to carry on his legacy ten grandchildren along with six of their spouses, and two beautiful great granddaughters, as well as a brother, Ron Geary, and numerous sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and great friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Yorkminster Presbyterian Church Helping Hands Fund, or to the ALS Association in honor of Tom’s wife, Nancy.
The family would like to thank Dad’s YPC family for the many calls, visits, cards, and treats during Dad’s illness. We would also like to thank the superb nurses of Warwick Forest, Riverside Hospital, and finally those at Elite Elder Care who cared so well for Dad during his last month earthside.
A celebration of life will be held at Yorkminster Presbyterian Church on Saturday, December 17 at 11 am. A light lunch will follow with opportunity to share vignettes of Dad’s life, so bring your best stories and we will together carry on the sweet legacy of Tom’s life well-lived. Arrangements by Amory Funeral Home, Grafton, Va.