Thomas Jay Caufield

Born in Cody, Wyoming on January 22, 1947 he spent much of his early youth near Cody where his father worked in the oil fields, and then later near Worland and Manderson. His family moved to Colusa, California in 1963, where he attended high school there. He joined the US Navy at 17.

He retired from the USN in 1993 as a Senior Chief Petty Officer after 28 years of exemplary service. He received many awards and accolades, including the Distinguished Pistol Shot, awarding him as the second-best pistol marksman in the Nation.

Outside of his military service, he was also a member of the Lafayette Gun Club in Yorktown, Virginia. When he wasn’t spending time with his loving family, he enjoyed training for and competing in marathons and indulging in his love of antique cars, particularly, his 1953 Ford pickup truck.

He is preceded in death by his parents: Sherman and Helen Caufield; sister, Connie Harris; and the mother of his girls,Trena Caufield.

He will be greatly missed by his daughters: Valerie Wilbur (Tony), Mary E. Caufield, Carrie E. Caufield; grandchildren: Joseph Cote, Valeen Cote, Taylor Caufield-Altman, Thomas Tammaro, Bryson Wilbur, and Maya Wilbur; great-grandchildren: Silvia, Ethan, Katie, and Jaxon; sisters: Susan Atten, Jeanne Westley; Bobby Tammaro; a host of nieces and nephews; and his dearly beloved partner of 10 years, Iris Desimone.

The family will welcome friends at 3:00 PM on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 North Armistead Avenue Hampton, VA 23666, followed by a Celebration of Life service with military honors at 4:00 PM.