Thomas J Magee
May 20, 1943 ~ April 17, 2020
It is with tremendous sadness that the family of Thomas James Magee, announces his death on April 17, 2020 at age 76, after a valiant battle with cancer. Tom passed away at his home in Vienna, VA with the setting sun streaming down across his face, surrounded by his devoted wife of 33 years, Deirdre Gjormand Magee, and his beloved, extended Gjormand family members.
Tom lived a fulfilling life with many blessings and diverse experiences. He was born in Coaldale, PA and raised in Summit Hill, PA, the only child of Thomas and Mary Ann Magee who predeceased him. He is a former member of the Summit Hill First Presbyterian Church. Tom was a professional trumpet player in traveling bands and was a Miles Davis fan. He entered the United States Army in Fort Sill, OK and served in the Korea DMZ. He graduated from Strayer College with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting. As a civilian, Tom served his country in war zones in the 1970’s. He went on to complete many overseas tours of duty with the Department of State. Later in his career, Tom proudly served the Central Intelligence Agency as a Finance Officer. Upon retirement in 1994 he was awarded the CIA’s Career Intelligence Medal for a record of service that reflected exceptional contributions that substantially contributed to the mission of the Agency.
Tom was a private, no nonsense kind of guy with wry humor and a unique way of contemplating life. The most fun time in his life was his 26 years of enjoyable retirement doing nothing or whatever the heck he wanted to do. He was an avid coin and stamp collector, crazy couponer, frugal grocery shopper and a good cook. He collected irreverent T-shirts with ridiculous sayings, most of which his wife would not allow him to wear in public. Tom could never leave the leftover bread in a restaurant basket and fed it to the birds before ever leaving the parking lot. He loved sharing Internet jokes with his high school and retirement buddies. He was an incredibly loving husband and a generous man. He and his wife Deirdre spent joyful years living ocean front, watching beautiful sunrises and sunsets, walking the beach with their dogs and enjoying the company of family and friends. Tom always said “I love my wife, my Bernese Mountain dogs” (Gruezi, Ritzi, Lexi, and Petra), “my 2001 Lincoln Continental” (which he dontated to the Humane Society in 2019 with only 82,000 miles on it after 18 years and he shed tears when it left), “and the Redskins” (most of the time).
Tom adored his mother-in-law Eileen, and had few “filters” just like his father-in-law, Olaf. He is survived by his wife; brothers-in-law (Brian, Chris, Mark and David Gjormand and sisters-in-law (Sheri, Pam, Beth and Kristen); devoted nieces and nephews (Brittany, Courtney, Scott, Michael, Matthew, Samantha, Josh, Trevor, and Carlee), Godson, Ian Kent (Donna Kent) and Joana Plugge (Susan Plugge). We all fondly remember “Tomisms” which included: “Don’t ever touch my coffee cup! Large Rib-eye please, no seasonings, no onions, no nothing, just plain! What’s that ugly beard thing growing on your face?, What did you do now Blondie? and Yes dear, I know, you bought it on sale”. We are certain that in transition to be with the Lord, Tom asked the Angels to let him stop by Rainbow Bridge to reunite with his beloved Berners and they are all waiting for us in God’s perfect and loving space. When wife Deirdre passes, her ashes, Tom’s and the Berners ashes will be scattered together far out in the ocean on the beautiful Cherry Grove Peninsula in SC. Rest in peace, our darling Tom.
There will be no formal service at Tom’s request but a future gathering is planned for friends and family.
Tom lived a fulfilling life with many blessings and diverse experiences. He was born in Coaldale, PA and raised in Summit Hill, PA, the only child of Thomas and Mary Ann Magee who predeceased him. He is a former member of the Summit Hill First Presbyterian Church. Tom was a professional trumpet player in traveling bands and was a Miles Davis fan. He entered the United States Army in Fort Sill, OK and served in the Korea DMZ. He graduated from Strayer College with a Bachelor’s degree in accounting. As a civilian, Tom served his country in war zones in the 1970’s. He went on to complete many overseas tours of duty with the Department of State. Later in his career, Tom proudly served the Central Intelligence Agency as a Finance Officer. Upon retirement in 1994 he was awarded the CIA’s Career Intelligence Medal for a record of service that reflected exceptional contributions that substantially contributed to the mission of the Agency.
Tom was a private, no nonsense kind of guy with wry humor and a unique way of contemplating life. The most fun time in his life was his 26 years of enjoyable retirement doing nothing or whatever the heck he wanted to do. He was an avid coin and stamp collector, crazy couponer, frugal grocery shopper and a good cook. He collected irreverent T-shirts with ridiculous sayings, most of which his wife would not allow him to wear in public. Tom could never leave the leftover bread in a restaurant basket and fed it to the birds before ever leaving the parking lot. He loved sharing Internet jokes with his high school and retirement buddies. He was an incredibly loving husband and a generous man. He and his wife Deirdre spent joyful years living ocean front, watching beautiful sunrises and sunsets, walking the beach with their dogs and enjoying the company of family and friends. Tom always said “I love my wife, my Bernese Mountain dogs” (Gruezi, Ritzi, Lexi, and Petra), “my 2001 Lincoln Continental” (which he dontated to the Humane Society in 2019 with only 82,000 miles on it after 18 years and he shed tears when it left), “and the Redskins” (most of the time).
Tom adored his mother-in-law Eileen, and had few “filters” just like his father-in-law, Olaf. He is survived by his wife; brothers-in-law (Brian, Chris, Mark and David Gjormand and sisters-in-law (Sheri, Pam, Beth and Kristen); devoted nieces and nephews (Brittany, Courtney, Scott, Michael, Matthew, Samantha, Josh, Trevor, and Carlee), Godson, Ian Kent (Donna Kent) and Joana Plugge (Susan Plugge). We all fondly remember “Tomisms” which included: “Don’t ever touch my coffee cup! Large Rib-eye please, no seasonings, no onions, no nothing, just plain! What’s that ugly beard thing growing on your face?, What did you do now Blondie? and Yes dear, I know, you bought it on sale”. We are certain that in transition to be with the Lord, Tom asked the Angels to let him stop by Rainbow Bridge to reunite with his beloved Berners and they are all waiting for us in God’s perfect and loving space. When wife Deirdre passes, her ashes, Tom’s and the Berners ashes will be scattered together far out in the ocean on the beautiful Cherry Grove Peninsula in SC. Rest in peace, our darling Tom.
There will be no formal service at Tom’s request but a future gathering is planned for friends and family.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
It’s hard to believe that anyone who knew Tommy could ever forget him. We spent years together in Summit Hill schools Our class seldom went out and about in couples. We went in groups. Mostly I remember him from band and orchestra. Practices were held in the evening and our group would follow that by walking each other home after stopping at Wiley’s for ice cream. What a sense of humor he had! What a gentleman…never heard a bad word about any classmate. He was a wonderful friend never to be forgotten. My sincere sympathy to his family. I’m sure you’ll remember him well. How could it be otherwise.
Great memories of Tom. We came on board the Agency the same day and were roommates for a few months. I was a 18 yr old kid out of high school and he was just of the army. He was not only a fun guy but he had lots of good advice for a young know nothing kid. A couple of years later Tom suggested I change career tracks and transfer to Finance. He recommended me and thanks to him it was an excellent career. Sorry that we lost track of each other when we both retired. I’m sorry for your loss.
53 years of friendship with this special man leaves me wondering what I am going to do without his wise council. Rest in peace my friend and when I get there, also via the rainbow bridge, I am gonna rmack you for never telling me about the trumpet playing!
Tom, Dee, Richard and I had lots of fun times together (not enough), but I think our favorite memories will always be getting to places, with Tom driving and Dee navigating. The trip was always the highlight, regardless how much we enjoyed our dinners out. Listening to Tom and Dee “interact” about directions, where to turn and where not to turn, etc. was worth the price of admission! We’ll miss that and we’ll miss Tom – and his emails! He was a super person and was smart enough to know that Dee could do no wrong – no matter what! How great is that? Susan and Richard
Dear Dee, I am so sorry for your loss of Tom. I hope you can find peace that he no longer suffers with the cancer and resting in the arms of our Lord in Heaven. I met Tom in 1968. He has been a wonderful friend all these years. God father to my son Ian. Groomsmen at my wedding to Donna. He was so much fun to be around. Rest in peace my friend. I will meet up with you again one day in Heaven. Your Friend always, Jim Kent
Tom was a great fun loving classmate. He was a band member and played the trumpet which he excelled at. He was proud that he could drive his grandfather’s Studebaker car to school. It probably would be worth a lot of money today. He was a great artist and knew how to really draw well. Most of all Tom was genuine. Later in life we connected via the Internet and E-Mail. Always funny but always telling me about his beloved dog Petra, his wife Dee, and his condo’s in Myrtle Beach. and his home outside Washington DC, and his beloved Lincoln, which he hated to give up. Tom had an interesting life and loved his profession. Knowing Tom one could not get to really like him. He was a great friend and I will miss him dearly. RIP my dear friend.
Q: What was one of your favorite qualities of Thomas?
A: I met Tom in September 1967 when we both started work with the Department of State. My two roommates and Tom quickly became good friends. Tom helped with my wedding and several years later we traveled to Mass. for both of us to be in one roommates wedding. He was my son’s Godfather and always a part of whatever celebration we had going on. Neither of us was good at communicating but I always knew where he was and when he would be home. As the years went on we would meet at his favorite “chicken place” in Reston and catch up. Over the years my roommates got on with their lives and our little group added my best friend Susan Lucas and both of our children, my son Ian and her daughter Joana. So many memories all happy ones. I miss him terribly.