Dr. Newell Thomas “Tommy” Gill, age 89, of Milton, Georgia, formerly of Waynesville, North Carolina, passed away on Saturday, April 16, 2022. Tommy was born in Butler, Pennsylvania, on March 19, 1933, a son to the late Disbrow Newell and Sara Elizabeth Maynor Gill.
Following high school, Tommy attended the University of North Carolina, where he received his bachelor’s degree in TV and radio engineering in 1955. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy and proudly served the country that he loved so dearly as a Navy pilot, receiving his wings in 1956. The flight knowledge Tommy received while in the military would eventually lead to his first career with American Airlines as a commercial pilot, from 1959 to 1962.
He met the love of his life, Sue Catherine Minninger, while living in Chicago. Suzy was a stewardess for United Airlines, and they two married three weeks after meeting. Their first child, Rich, was born in Chicago, but they were soon transferred to New York, where the second chapter of their life was just ahead. Tommy resigned from American and went back to school at the University of Florida, moving Suzy and Rich from New York to Ocala. There, he built a home for his family, developed and sold lots to pay for his schooling, and earned his doctorate of Education in Psychology. Sons Mike and Dan were born while in Ocala.
After receiving his doctorate, Tommy’s first professorship was at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, where he spent three years. But he and Suzy longed to get back to sunny Florida and that is what he did, landing a position at the newly expanding Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida, where they were blessed with their fourth child and only daughter, Katy. For the next 35 years, they built a wonderful life in Boca Raton, raising four wonderful children and developing a lifetime of cherished memories. In 1973, at the age of 40, Tommy was born again and became a devoted believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. He was president of the West Palm Beach chapter of Full Gospel Businessmen’s Association for many years, and actively worked to spread the Gospel to whomever would listen. At the age of 67, Tommy retired from teaching and he and Suzy moved to Waynesville, in the mountains of Western North Carolina, where they enjoyed 20 years of fresh air and the slower pace of the mountain life. Tommy loved reading, woodworking, and bird-watching, but his greatest joy came from being a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He will most certainly be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Along with his parents, Tommy was preceded in death by his loving wife of 59 years, Suzy Gill; and two brothers, Robert Gill and Richard (Dickie) Gill.
He is survived by his uncle, Robert C. (Olivia) Gill of Westport, Connecticut; brother, Ben (Amy) Cornelius of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; his four children, Richard (Kim) Gill of West Jefferson, North Carolina, Mike (Cherie) Gill of Milton, Georgia, Dr. Dan (Julie) Gill of Newton, North Carolina, and Katy Gill of Lakeland, Florida; 16 grandchildren, Kristie, Joy, Zachary, Megan, Michael, Jessica, Jonathan, Joshua, Zachary, Rebecca, Jesse, Sarah, Elizabeth, Rachel, Daniel, and Hannah; 13 great-grandchildren, Alexander, Grady, Crosley, Lizzy, James, Liam, Gabriel, Catherine, Andy, Sadie, Elsie, Sophie, and Oscar; and several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
A graveside service honoring Dr. Gill will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, May 21, 2022, in the Green Hill Cemetery of Waynesville, North Carolina. In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests donations be made to Samaritan's Purse.
Please visit www.roswellfuneralhome.com to share memories and leave condolences with the family. The funeral services for Dr. Gill have been entrusted to the care of Roswell Funeral Home, 950 Mansell Road, Roswell, Georgia 30076.
*All obituaries are submitted by family and friends of the deceased.
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