Lt. Col. Thomas W. Krimminger

Our beloved Marine Corps Aviator, call sign “Hobbit” completed his final mission, climbing high and free, to reunite with his eternal love Tee.

Born March 2nd 1939 in Mount Pleasant, NC to the late Thomas Woodrow Krimminger & Julia Barringer Krimminger. “Tommy” was raised with his sister Barbara and brother Gerald.

When he was not in school, he worked on his grandparent’s farm cultivating with a mule, hauling hay and straw. During his time at Mount Pleasant High School, he played football, worked on the newspaper and was President of the Beta Club.

Tom graduated North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering.

However, his ambitions took him elsewhere.

After graduating in 1960, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. He earned his “Wings of Gold” during flight training at Pensacola, Fl. & Beeville, TX.

Upon completion in 1962, he was assigned to Marine Attack Squadron 331 in Beaufort, SC.

Tom had three great loves. His country, his Marine Corps family, but most importantly his wife and best friend Tee.

They met in Beaufort, SC when he joined 331. It’s been a long-standing joke that Tom picked Tee out of a catalogue. Actually, it was her High School yearbook. His friend was dating Tee’s friend Dodi. One night while they were visiting with Dodi, Tom was perusing the yearbook. Tee’s picture caught his eye, and he asked Dodi for Tee’s phone number. Tee turned Tom down on first request and second request and finally, third times a charm, she said yes. Local girls were wary of transient Marines, often avoiding their advances, so he would say it was his life’s greatest accomplishment. Winning her over was the beginning of their 50 year love story. He adored her and they had the most beautiful marriage.

Two became four, with children Thomas Jr. born 1965 in Monterey, CA. & Erika born 1968 in Beaufort, SC while Tom was away in Vietnam.

His military career took them far & wide. After they wed, Tom was off to the Mediterranean for a year on the Carrier USS Forrestal. He logged over 125 day and night carrier landings, while conducting tactical operations as part of the Cold War forces deployed at that time.

While part of Attack Squadron 331 he also flew out of Guantanamo Bay Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis “flying the fence”.

He later graduated from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School with Master of Science in Operations Research, Monterey CA 1967. Next to Chu Lai Vietnam, MCAS Kaneohe Hawaii, Cherry Point NC, Nam Phong Thailand “The Rose Garden”, Quantico VA Command & Staff training, Iwakuni Japan, Cubi Point the Philippines and finally Yuma Arizona where he was the Commanding Officer of VMAT-102 (Skyhawks) responsible for training all A-4 pilots for the Marine Corps.

Logged 2900 hours of flight time primarily in A-4 Skyhawk and A-6 Intruder aircraft. Recipient of two Distinguished Flying crosses for exceptional bravery, superior aeronautical precision while serving in Vietnam, with Marine Attack Squadron 311. Awarded 13 Air Medals and the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V.

These achievements leave us in awe. He was humble and brave, his objective & focus were to get the job done and return home safely. You would never know of his military accomplishments; he was never one to brag or draw attention to it. He was a Marine.

After retiring from the Marine Corps in 1980, he accepted a managing position with the City of Yuma, until family called and they returned to Concord, NC in 1981.

Travelling across country in the first “Motorhome” with two children for two months, with time to discuss the next career, they decided to get into the printing business, so they purchased an International Minute Man Press franchise in Charlotte, NC. Tom would later joke that it only took him 10 years in the printing business to realize he’d rather be in Vietnam!

After the sale of the printing business in 1989 it was back to the coast to Cherry Grove, SC. The purchase of a liquor store. Then a second liquor store in Little River.

They joked that one of their favorite days, was when a man walked into the store and said “I’d like to buy this liquor store” their response was “how about two”!

Tee retired and Tom decided he wasn’t quite ready yet, so he obtained his real estate license and his brokers license. This led to a collaboration of creating Traditional Homebuilders, a residential construction & real estate company in Little River, SC.

2004 Tom finally decided to retire (again) and thus began “The Terrific Travels of Tee & Tom”. They purchased a 38 ft. motor home and spent months at a time over the next 7 years traveling back & forth across this great country. Reconnecting with old friends, travelling with old friends, making new friends along the way, continuing to make memories and have new adventures. They logged over 40,000 miles. He was President & active founding member of the FMCA Carolina Pelicans RV chapter in Myrtle Beach, where they both enjoyed meet up’s and volunteering at the GEAR Rallies in PA.

Tom & Tee would return annually in the RV to Yuma Arizona, where a group of his Marine Corps & Military friends gathered in the Arizona Desert. The women stayed in town and shopped and relaxed while the men loaded up a small encampment and hauled it into the desert! They called it “The Hunt.” Hunting was optional. They camped out under the stars for several days and reminisced about old times. Built a huge campfire, cooked steaks, drank “two buck chuck” & celebrated the Marine Corps Birthday.

After Tee passed away in 2013 he later moved to the Brightwater Retirement Community in Myrtle beach. He participated in the retired military groups, made new friends and was active until his illness progressed.

Tom was a kind and gentle man, a friend to everyone he met. He was a dedicated husband, a proud father & grandfather. He was always willing to help when asked and be there in times of need. His life and foundation built on humility and honesty. His departure leaves an unimaginable gap in our lives and he will be missed beyond words.

He leaves behind Brother Gerald Krimminger, Son Thomas Jr. (Allison) Daughter Erika Krimminger, Granddaughter Sydney (Webb) Great Grandson AJ Axel, Sister in life Duncan Wall. A list of friends too many to name but who he remembered fondly and spoke of frequently.

Tom will return to Beaufort, SC and be laid to rest with Tee at the Beaufort National Cemetery.

Military Honors Service, interment, and reception in Beaufort, SC.

Details of the date, time and address will be announced for this when available.