John Thomas Vandergrift II unexpectedly passed away March 13, 2017. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Donna Vandergrift, whom always boasted as “his bride” and devotedly told her everyday that he loved her, and five children - Nannette Buckley Long (Don Long), Eric Buckley (Angie Buckley), Derek Buckley (Stacy Buckley), Terry Chandler (Paul Chandler), and Julie Buckley.
And 11 grandchildren - Brandon, Melissa, Harrison, Brooke, William, Kassi, Breanna, Angie, Nikky (Natalia), Icess, and Tomi-Brielle.
John, familiarly known as Tom, was born in Orlando and raised in Cocoa. He went to Saint Mary’s Catholic School and Cocoa High School and received an AA from Brevard Community College. Tom proudly served in the US Army from 1975 to 1978. He was an inspiration and leader for the people he worked with at Danella Construction and then with AT&T where he retired after 35 years; but not before he left his indelible mark on the company with an imaginatively designed and subsequently US patented tool known as the “Welding Jig”.
Tom loved to cook and entertain. He enjoyed going to bike week, boating, building with wood, working in the yard, sitting at Port Canaveral and watching the military ships go in and out of the port, and taking long rides with his bride to destinations unknown.
He had an entrepreneurial spirit and was enjoying his latest adventure making beef jerky for his friends. He loved life and often was heard saying, “My life is perfect.”
Surely he knows how perfect he made the lives of those that were close to him. He will be greatly missed by his family and many, many friends.
In lieu of flowers and in consideration of Tom’s immense pride in America, please make donations to the Veterans Hospital in Viera.
Services will be held at Brevard Memorial Funeral Home in Cocoa.
Viewing Sunday, March 19 at 10 am with the service at 11 am.
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