Thomas "Tom" Stigar

New Bern, NC Thomas L. Stigar (Tom) MSgt USMC Retired. Tom was born on September 30, 1933 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Tom enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on October 10, 1951 at Marine Barracks, Pearl Harbor. Tom had 25 years of honorable service with tours of duty in Korea with the 1st Marine Division FMF, Camp Pendleton, CA; 1st Marine Brigade, MCAS Kaneohe, HI; 2nd MAW, MCAS Cherry Point, NC; 1st MAW FMF, Vietnam; 3rd MAW, MCAS El Toro, CA; Marine Barracks, Subic Bay, Phillipines Marine Laison, Naval Supply Depot Subic Bay.

Tom was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Commendation W/2 Bronze Stars, USMC Good Conduct Medal 8th Award, National Defense Service Medal W/1 Bronze Star, Korean Service Medal W/3 Bronze Stars, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation and Vietnam Civil Action Citation. He also received the United Nations Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Korean War Service Medal and Rifle Expert and Pistol Expert. His last assignment was Marine Barracks, Long Beach, CA where he was put on the temporary disability retired list in 1976 and finally receiving a permanent disability retirement.

Upon retiring, Tom and his wife Wanda settled in Corry, PA. They lived there until moving to New Bern in 1986. Tom was an active bowler, life member of Carteret-Craven USBC BA; Executive Director and Vice President of CCBA, Director, Vice President and President of the North Carolina State BA, Secretary/Treasurer of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #886 New Bern, Director retired Activities Office, MCAS Cherry Point. He was a life member of Disabled Veterans of America, member of Marine Corps League in Onslow County, life member of Vietnam Veterans of America and he was an ordained Deacon and member of Temple Baptist Church.

Tom is survived by his wife Wanda L. Stigar; two daughters, Estella M. Melchert and husband David of Augusta, GA; Deborah M. Maskal and husband Darrell of Brownsville, OR; his sister, Esther M. Sylva of Waianae, HI; two brothers, Jerry Martin and wife Debbie of Kailua, HI; Thomas L. K. Stigar of Hilo, HI; five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great –great-grandchild and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Estella R. Martin.

Services will be held 11:00 am at Temple Baptist Church, Monday, July 23, 2012. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Entombment will follow at Greenleaf Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Temple Baptist Church 1500 Kingdom Way, New Bern, NC 28562.

Online condolences may be made to the Stigar family at www.cottenfuneralhome.com