Thomas Anderson O'Day

Thomas Anderson O’Day passed away peacefully on September 11, 2020 at his home in Annandale, VA two days shy of his 96th birthday. He was born on September 13, 1924 in Lexington, KY to Leo & Alma O’Day. Tom was an only child who spent most of his youth living at 634 Euclid Avenue in Lexington with his mother, grandparents and numerous aunts and uncles, all who provided the love and guidance that would influence the person Tom became. He had a happy childhood despite the difficult years of the Depression. He enjoyed fishing and hunting with his father Leo on weekends. He was brought up Catholic and developed a lifelong habit of praying to God. He attended mostly Catholic schools and, guided by his mother’s influence, was brought up understanding that good manners, good behavior and a little culture would go far in life.

Tom joined the Navy at age 18 and was stationed in Florida. He started college at the University of Kentucky in 1946 on the GI bill. It was there that his prayers were answered and he met the love of his life, Bonnie Belle Boone, a shy, beautiful redhead, in dance class. She soon provided the lively and social force in his life that lasted for their lifetime together. Tom majored in geography in college, with a side step to photography school for a year, and in 1951 accepted a job at the U.S. Army Map Service in Washington D.C. as a cartographer. Tom & Bonnie became engaged in September of that year and they wed on December 29, 1951.

They started their family immediately, seven children over the course of 12 years. In 1955 they moved to Annandale, VA where they spent 23 happy years in their home on Coker Place, developing long-lasting friendships with many of the neighbors and Tom’s carpool buddies, and spending much time with extended family nearby. In 1978 they moved to Walton Lane in Annandale and finished raising their children. By then they already had their sights set on Lake Monticello, VA for retirement. They bought a beautiful lakefront lot there, built a house, moved in permanently in 1989 and began a new chapter of their life.

The lake house years were wonderfully relaxed and carefree. Tom & Bonnie made great friends and had an active social life. They lived for their children’s and grandkid’s frequent visits and visited their children often as the family continued to grow. They celebrated all the holidays and special events with family and were especially helpful in passing along their expertise in raising kids and showing by example the values that were so important to them. Many great memories were made at the lake, from July 4th celebrations, to swimming, fishing and tubing, and partying on their pontoon boat while cruising the lake. Life was good until Bonnie succumbed to leukemia on August 1, 1999 after 48 years of marriage. She was 70 years old.

Tom began life anew at the lake. His personality blossomed during those years, and his sense of humor shined and charmed everyone. He continued to enjoy children and grandchildren visits and lived a quiet life. He began having health issues in his later years and moved to Brightview Woodburn Assisted Living in Annandale to be closer to family. He is survived by his children Kathleen LaCross (David), Timothy O’Day (Debbie), Mary (Molly) Eklund (Gregory), Bonnie Roth (Richard), Patricia Bonnette (Kevin), Thomas J. O’Day (Janice) and Daniel O’Day. Tom also leaves behind a beautiful legacy of 20 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. His love of family and faith in God have been passed on to all who knew this gentle, sweet and good-natured man. Funeral services and a burial with military honors will be private. A Celebration of Life for all friends and family will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to VITAS Community Connection.