Tom Cherry Aldridge Jr.

Born in Chickamauga, Georgia, before moving to Pascagoula, Mississippi and then Tarpon Springs, Florida, Tom was a graduate of Tarpon Springs High School. After graduation, he moved to Tallahassee to attend Florida State University. He held several jobs before beginning work at the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). After gaining a few years of experience, Tom applied for and received his certification as a Profession Engineer (P.E.). He then continued to work for FDOT as a civil engineer for 39 years, overseeing the roadway design of several roads throughout Tallahassee and the state of Florida, and ending his tenure as a State Final Estimates Engineer.

An active member of several churches throughout his lifetime (Maranatha Baptist Church, Temple Baptist Church, Piedmont Park Alliance Church, and Seminole Baptist Church), Tom took great pleasure in working in the children’s as well as the elder care ministries. He established a care ministry at Harbor Chase Assisted Living Facility that ran for 15 years under his direction and an additional five after he stepped down. He lived his life for others, always with an easy smile and a quick joke for whomever needed it, and he found pleasure in life’s simple moments, tending to his yard and garden and spending time with family and friends. He will be deeply missed by those he cared for and who cared for him.

Tom is survived by his wife, Holly, his children, Tommy, David (Patricia), Whiddon (Bailey), and Daniel, his grandchildren, John, Laurel, Justin (Courtney), Michael (Cherelle), Elizabeth (Rico), Charlie, Camden, and Caleb, his greatgrandchildren, Declan, Wyatt, Mia, Avery, Micah, and Jeremiah, and his siblings, Malcom (Sandra), Linda, and David (Pat).

Funeral arrangements will be held with a visitation at 10am and a service at 11am on Monday, June 13th, at Seminole Baptist Church. In leu of flowers, donations can be made to Big Bend Hospice or Seminole Baptist Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CulleysMeadowWoodFuneral.com for the Aldridge family.