Thomas Rutledge Kilgore

Thomas “Tommy” Rutledge Kilgore, age 89, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, September 29, 2023, in Tuscaloosa. Born in Oakman, Alabama, the oldest of 8 children, he graduated from Tuscaloosa County High and was a star athlete on the football team, voted most handsome, and Tuscohi Homecoming King. After attending the University of Alabama his yearning to see the world captivated him to join the United States Air Force where he served for 21 years. He was stationed in numerous countries around the globe and was responsible for radar navigation on reconnaissance missions in the Vietnam War.

Following his retirement in the Air Force he settled back in Tuscaloosa where he began a new career in retail management. Owning his own store in McFarland Mall, The Novelty Shoppe, he met his wife, Gena. They recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary together in August reminiscing of all the wonderful memories shared with friends and family along the journey.

Tommy is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Kermit Kilgore and Elizabeth Rutledge Kilgore, and brother, John Kilgore.

Tommy is survived by his wife, Regena "Gena"; children, Tommy Jr., Sharyl, Bob (Tammy), Kevin, and Blake; five grandchildren; six great-grand children; brothers and sisters, Grady (Nancy), Mary (Don), Betty (Bill), Robert (Mary Dell), Doris (Ray), and Harry (Elaine); numerous nieces, nephews, and special friends; and his beloved pet dog, Acie-Jae.

The family will receive family and friends during visitation on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 10 a.m. at Sunset Funeral Home. Celebration of Life funeral services will be held following at 12 p.m. at Bethel Presbyterian Church with Rev. Neil McCarter officiating. Interment will follow in the adjoining cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Kelly Montgomery, Randy Key, Wayne Pierce, Brandon Pierce, Jerrad Funderburk, Dr. Yanko Yankov, and Horace Stone.

In lieu of flowers, please make any donations in his name to Alabama Hospice Care and/or Hospice of West Alabama.

Sunset Brown-Service Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, is honored to serve the Kilgore family during their time of bereavement. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.SunsetBrown-Funeral.com